One of Greenville’s multi-talented teens has been chosen for the Alabama Vocal Association (AVA) All-State Show Choir, allowing her to display both her singing and dancing prowess.

Amber Smith, a senior at Fort Dale Academy, is the first student from her school to earn this honor “and only the second student ever to make it from Butler County, to my knowledge,” says Cindy Edgar, FDA’s choral director.

Only 49 students from the entire state were selected for this year’s show choir.

“In order to make the All-State Show Choir, you have to be selected to one of the three AVA All-State Choirs (SSA, TTBB or SATB). To make All-State Choir is a major accomplishment on its own,” explains Edgar. “If you fail to be selected for one of those three high school choirs, you can’t participate in Show Choir.”

Smith underwent a rigorous audition process for both vocals and choreography on the road to Show Choir. In October 2017, she had to learn four challenging pieces for auditions in Tuscaloosa, including “My Shot” from the hit musical “Hamilton.”

“Once her vocal audition was complete, Amber had to learn a very complicated dance routine in a matter of just a few minutes,” Edgar says. “The next step was her All-State SSA audition in Mobile, during which she had to perform portions of several difficult choral pieces.”

On March 6, Smith and her fellow Show Choir members gathered at Spain Park High School in Birmingham. For two days, the students rehearsed from 8:30 in the morning until 9:30 at night—a grueling schedule.

On March 8, the Show Choir performed at the General Assembly of the AVA All-State Choral Festival at Samford University.

Edgar describes Smith as a very gifted young woman with “a work ethic that is unmatched.”

Smith, who has studied dance for a number of years with Sonya Sims Rice,  is often a featured performer in Rice’s dance studio’s annual recitals, 2016’s “Peter and the Wolf” and the Trick or Treat on Commerce St. performances in front of City Hall. She has also performed in past productions of “Putting on the Ritz.” the annual musical fundraiser for the Greenville Area Arts Council. A member of her church’s praise brand, Smith also plays the guitar. After graduation from FDA, the talented teen plans to continue her studies at LBWCC and participate in their music program.