Just as powerhouse singer Beyoncé effortlessly resonates strong, soulful vocals, junior Brooke Wetterhahn emulates the presence of the R&B diva the moment she steps on stage. By channeling her nervous energy into confidence, Wetterhahn turns her head to face the crowd and produces a breathtaking symphony of beautiful notes, captivating the audience before her.
“As soon as I hold up the microphone, I feel as though a whole new extension of myself is exposed,” said Wetterhahn. “The invigorating rush of adrenaline I get from singing allows me to express my deepest emotions to the audience.”
For Wetterhahn, music has always been a huge component of her environment. On any given day, classical music and obscure classics from the 1920s are frequently heard streaming through the hallways of Wetterhahn’s home. In addition to a cultured childhood, Wetterhahn’s family has provided her with a substantial support system. Her older brother and CHS alumni Graham Wetterhahn, a fellow singer and role model, is an especially important source of inspiration and encouragement.
“My brother is definitely my biggest fan and supporter,” said Wetterhahn. “I could not ask for a better shoulder to lean on than my big brother’s.”
During her freshman and sophomore years, Wetterhahn was a member of the all girl group Bare Rhythm, which served as a starting point for her musical career at CHS. She now juggles a very busy schedule as the assistant director of Unstrumental, which requires a huge time commitment and very advanced skill. In addition, she participates in all of the school performances and continues to amaze audiences and improve tremendously. The CHS musicals she has been in include Beauty and the Beast, Anything Goes and Avenue Q.
“While singing in a group like Unstrumental and practicing for hours on end, you tend to rely on each other vocally for performances as well as emotionally,” said Wetterhahn. “Love and trust build a family, and the same goes for [Unstrumental].”
Wetterhahn’s strong dedication to music showed most prominently at the University of California at Los Angeles on the night of the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival. Wetterhahn performed a rendition of “Love on Top” by Beyoncé and won best female soloist against many older and more experienced college students, an achievement proving her sophisticated talent.
“My group and I had gone in as the underdogs and miraculously managed to come out as winners,” said Wetterhahn. “ I will never forget how amazing I felt on that night.”
As Wetterhahn continues with determined fervor to strive and progress, she grows closer to her ultimate dream of becoming a professional singer. Despite her incredible accomplishments thus far, her main source of motivation is not the fame or recognition. More than anything, Wetterhahn sings merely for the sheer enjoyment of being on stage.
