'Rush of the stage' inspires Ashburn teen

By Elizabeth Coe
Source: Loudoun Times-Mirror
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 2009

At Briar Woods High School, senior Laura Manzer is known for her music and singing talent.

Laura, 17, recently released her first CD, "November." Her original, contemporary country songs can be heard on her classmates' iPods all over the Ashburn school.

"People come up to me all the time and tell me they are listening to my music," Laura said. "It's modern country, like a mix of Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift."

Laura has been singing for as long as she can remember. As a toddler, she auditioned for an Oscar Mayer hot dog commercial. Although she didn't get the part, that did not discourage her from pursuing her dream.

"Every year at St. Theresa [School in Ashburn] I'd sing in the talent show," she said. "I've always been singing. I memorize lyrics all the time and sing in the car."

Laura's thirst for performing grew stronger two years ago when she auditioned for the U.S.A. World Showcase at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Out of 180,000 who tried out over the phone, only 180 performers were chosen to compete. She was one of them.

There were about 15 people in Laura's teen singing portion of the competition, she said. The show was the first time she sang onstage in front of an audience of thousands.

"I loved the rush of the stage," she said. "It made me realize that singing is what I want to do. It's who I want to be."

Laura didn't win the competition, but she came away with the knowledge that singing would always be an important part of her life.

That fall, Laura and her mom, Donna Manzer, traveled to Charleston, S.C., to audition for the seventh season of “American Idol.”

Laura made it through several rounds of auditions, but was cut just before she got the chance to sing for judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.

Last year, Laura again tried out for the show in Louisville, Ky., but was cut in the first round.

Laura and her mom returned to Ashburn, determined to make music. They went to Cue Recording Studios in Falls Church and spent eight months writing and recording the 10 songs that make up "November."

The CD was completed Dec. 5 and is on sale on iTunes and from Laura directly for $10.

Laura plans to attend Northern Virginia Community College next year and will keep singing, playing the piano and guitar, and writing songs.

She hopes to release another CD soon.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/lauramusic08.



By: Gissel Ansari