Addi Grace has loved music since she was in the womb.
“When I was in my mom’s stomach, they would play music, and I would kick,” the 12-year-old performer explained. “Ever since I was little, I was always dancing or singing somehow.”
Now, Grace is an accomplished musician. Having won the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame Youth Artist of the Year award in 2021 and been nominated again in 2022, Grace has already accomplished what many artists spend a career striving for.
“That was just really cool, because I was 11 at the time, and I was up against 18-year-olds, 17-, 15-year-olds,” she said of her 2021 win. “It’s crazy because I was so young and I won.
“I was very blessed, definitely.”
On Thursday, Grace performed for a two-hour block at the Lebanon Area Fair Pavilion, just a year after placing first in the fair talent show.
“Last year I did the talent show, and to be on the pavilion stage?” said Grace, “I’m really excited about it.”
A poster at Grace’s performance read, “Music brings joy & love to the world.” Grace had this to say when asked what she enjoys most about performing.
“Just bringing smiles to people’s faces and enjoying what I love,” she said.
Throughout her life, Grace has had many passions, such as gymnastics and dance. When she was just 7 years old, her parents attended her ukulele recital and heard her singing voice for the first time, which reignited her love for music.
“As a little kid I wouldn’t have thought I’d be doing this, because I was in dance and gymnastics,” said Grace. “I found music, and going back to something I did as a little kid, it’s exciting.
Grace plans to continue performing and improving her skills, but she can see how far she’s come.
“I’m definitely really proud of myself,” she said. “I know that practicing makes perfect; and all the hard work that I put in, it definitely pays off when I go out and play.”
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