WHS freshman earns prestigious spot singing at Lincoln Center

Fiona Shanahan has long been a musician taking violin and piano lessons, but a more recent interest in singing landed her on stage at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

Shanahan, 14, of Whitefish performed at the New York Concert Music Festival on Nov. 20 at the Lincoln Center. She placed second in the classical vocal competition.

“I really like music and I only recently found that singing is my favorite thing to do,” the Whitefish High School freshman said. “I had never been to New York before and to perform at the Lincoln Center was amazing.”

She sang Mozart’s operatic composition of “Voi Che Sapete.” She was chosen among applicants from Europe, Asia and the United States to perform as a classical vocalist.

The New York Concert Festival International Competitions provide opportunities for music students from around the world to display their talents in such renowned venues as Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center. The process to select performers for the festival is rigorous, according to a press release. Shanahan was chosen to perform via an online audition. A jury of internationally renowned classical musicians reviewed online submissions and finalists were selected.

The daughter of Tom and Irena Shanahan, she recently relocated from the East Coast to her father’s hometown of Whitefish. She takes voice lessons twice per week in addition to practicing the violin and piano.

“I like being able to show my gift to people by signing in public on stage,” she said. “The more chances I get to sing the better.”

Previously, Shanahan performed as a soloist for the Atlantic Youth Orchestra in 2019 with a performance of Puccini’s “O Mio Bambino Caro.”

In addition to music, she is also a member of the speech and debate team. Her other interests include skiing, tennis and chess.