Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) Student Wé McDonald proved to be a tour de force in a passionately soulful rendition of Mary J. Blige’s hit “No More Drama,” during the “Knockouts” round of NBC’s “The Voice.”
This triumph makes her one of the top 12 contenders for the coveted title of “The Voice” as she advances to the live performances.
“Training at Harlem School of the Arts has helped me prepare for great opportunities such as being a contestant on ‘The Voice,’” said HSA Student and “The Voice” Contestant Wé McDonald. “When I first began training at HSA I was very scared about being in a new setting, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I had to grow my confidence and learn to trust what I do, and my vocal coach, Yolanda Wyns, has been very instrumental in that process so I’m very happy to be a student at HSA.”
Wé McDonald thoroughly impressed coaches Alicia Keys, Miley Cyrus, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine with a powerhouse performance of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” during the Season 11 Blind Audition. After turning all four chairs she had the power to choose which artist she wanted to work with to win and receive a recording contract. McDonald chose to work with GRAMMY Award-winning Vocalist Alicia Keys following a heartfelt proposition.
Here’e her Blind Audition performance, which has garnered more than 4.3 million views on YouTube:
“At HSA we’re fully committed to helping our students reach their full potential in the arts so I can’t quite express the excitement in watching her perform on a national platform and seeing all four chairs turn around,” said Yolanda Wyns, HSA Music Program Director. “Wé was one of four students I met when I began working at HSA. I saw so much promise in her and to be able to watch her develop her craft and be confident as a result is such a wonderful and fulfilling experience as a teacher and mentor.”
Wé McDonald has studied music and taken voice lessons under the direction of Wyns, who is also a former cast member of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “The Color Purple.”
Harlem School of the Arts is a premier arts institution with a track record of producing talented individuals of the performing arts, including Actresses DéAdre Aziza, Yaya Dacosta and N’Kenge; Actors Jeremie Harris, Jordan Hall, Caleb McLaughlin and Chris Myers; Dancers Khadija Nicholas, Jamal Callender and Saalim “StoryBoard P” Muslim; Operatic Vocalists Harolyn Blackwell and Noah Stewart; and Composer and Musical
Director Ray Chew. HSA enriches the lives of young people and their families through world-class training and exposure to the arts across multiple disciplines of Music, Dance, Visual Art and Theatre, in an environment that emphasizes rigorous training, stimulates creativity, builds self-confidence, and adds a dimension of beauty to their lives.
For more information on Harlem School of the Arts courses, programs, and events, visit www.HSAnyc.org.
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