Amid the flurry of synchronized performers, Soren McLaughlin steps out from the crowd of dancers and toward the abandoned microphone that marks the end of the stage. Taking a deep breath, she looks out upon the crowd, the familiar faces of excited parents and supportive friends spread throughout the audience. Reminding herself that she’s done this a million times, she waits for her cue. When it comes, she lights up the room.
Much of sophomore McLaughlin’s time is consumed by practicing, perfecting, and performing. Throughout a childhood filled with singing, playing piano, and learning from her musically talented parents, she discovered her love for music. After joining choir in sixth grade, she has been able to pursue her passion while singing alongside her peers. The people who helped shape the musical side of her life, such as assistant choir director Julianne Fowler, have recognized her growth in the NHS choir program.
“I think the biggest improvement I’ve seen in Soren is in her confidence,” Fowler said. “She really came out of her shell over the last two years, and it’s been super cool to see her believe in herself and watch that help her blossom musically.”
Despite her musical upbringing and early development of her natural talent, McLaughlin still finds difficulty in following in the footsteps of her parents because of their successful musical careers. Her mother, Sarah Scharbrough McLaughlin, is nationally recognized singer-songwriter with six published albums as well as performing with local theater and orchestra groups, and her father, Jeffrey McLaughlin, teaches AP Music Theory at Westfield High School.
“I definitely find it challenging to follow in the footsteps of my parents because my dad grew up taking piano lessons, and both of my mom’s parents were musicians and piano tuners, so they’re way more musically inclined than me,” Soren said. “I’m more of a singer, and that’s their full-time job.”
Although she likely had a large influence on the development of her daughter’s love of music, Sarah credits Noblesville’s choir program with refining her daughter’s skills.
“She had a great ear from a very young age, and has been so fortunate to have incredible music teachers at Noblesville West and Noblesville High School to help develop this,” Sarah said.
Groups like Noblesville’s show choir challenge students with the level of music they are assigned. Despite growing up in a home with such musically talented parents, is not afraid to put her skills to work by helping others refine their skills, something her teachers have noticed.
“When you’re in a setting like a music class where it’s a vulnerable thing to [sing] and a vulnerable place to be, it’s really important to have people who champion each other’s success,” said Fowler. “I think that’s something Soren brings for our group.”
It’s this spirit, backed by her expertise from numerous hours at the piano and behind the microphone, that earned her a solo in New Dimension’s winter performance of Madonna’s “What it Feels Like for a Girl” last year.
“She works hard at it, especially in terms of her commitment to the ensembles that she performs in,” Jeffrey said. “She has high standards for herself and likes to feel like she is performing well, so sometimes this can try her patience—especially with more challenging music.”
McLaughlin’s musical prowess also challenges her peers and encourages them to better understand and perform their parts. Sophomore Lilah Cross, a fellow member of New Dimension, admires her classmate’s talent and dedication.
“When I hear Soren sing, it makes me aspire to improve my musicianship,” Cross said. “She’s had more experience than most since she comes from a family of musicians, so she motivates me.”
Besides her commitment to show choir, McLaughlin has other responsibilities, such as on NHS’s jazz band and cross country team. Her keen ability to balance all of these activities, as well as her dedication to a wide variety of interests, shows up in her practices in New Dimension.
“Earlier this year, she was in a boot, and she still, every time we had a choreography day, would sit on a stool and still do the choreography waist-up, and I was like ‘look at her go,’” said Fowler. “It was just so sweet and shows her dedication that it takes to really be in a top-notch group like that.”
For the McLaughlin family, music is a consistent commitment. Sarah admits that this was likely the cause of McLaughlin’s love for music, which has become a prominent part of her life, an avenue that she can use to continue her career from show choir into other music-related industries. In fact, McLaughlin has already begun her career as a published musician.
“She’s sung on a Spotify Christmas release of mine,” Sarah said. “She’s been hired several times in the studio session world. She often joins me on harmonies.”
Although she already has a promising future ahead of her, McLaughlin’s natural talent as a vocalist and pianist finds praise from friends and family to teachers and fellow singers. Those around attest to her talent pushing her fellow musicians in their own musical journeys.
“It’s really cool to see that this kid has such natural talent and instinct, especially as a vocalist,” says Fowler. “She understands the artistry behind it and how to naturally take the performance of something from notes on a page into something that’s really moving for an audience.”
