Noel McLeary

Noel McLeary began wowing crowds as the ?little girl with the big voice? from the first time she stepped onstage to sing in her second grade Christmas concert. Recognizing the talent in her voice, her elementary music teacher quickly got her involved with a children's choir. This, in turn, led Noel to perform on local TV and radio stations; in large venues and events, including Pittsburgh's Benedum Center and the PPG Place Christmas display; as lead in several school concerts; and her first experience in a recording studio to record a benefit for Children's hospital...

A good student, Noel never allowed her music to take her out of the classroom, but that would all change shortly after her first trip to Nashville. While at a GMA Academy, Noel set up a meeting with consultant and producer, Eric Copeland. Impressed by her intelligence, poise, and maturity along with her vocal ability, Eric quickly introduced Noel, then just 16, to Grammy award-winning engineer and producer Danny Duncan. Shortly after they were making plans to help Noel record her first project in Nashville.
Her senior year in high school, Noel spent months traveling back and forth from Pennsylvania to Tennessee. Unable to predict where her career would lead, the school board granted Noel special permission to miss as many days of school as was necessary to pursue her career. ?It has been so encouraging to see that everyone is behind me every step of the way. The community and school were so incredibly supportive, I couldn't have asked for more,? Noel says, ?I expected to have people shaking their heads, but soon found that everyone was telling me to go for it!? With some of the best musicians in the business, and two solid producers, the foundation was laid for a great first project, a self-titled EP.
Noel has since performed in various venues around the country including Walter Reed Army Medical Center, several GMA Week showcases, and Hearitfirst.com's first annual Battle of the Bands at Creation West. This past fall Noel expanded her music to international stages and missions for the first time when she performed in Honduras for several events to benefit the childrens home, Hogar de Ni?os Emanuel.
Now, at 20, singing is still Noels passion, although the stages, opportunities, and her voice have grown. With a new look, Noel is also shifting styles musically as she finds her own voice in writing. Currently she is busying herself with playing out as possible and brushing up on piano and guitar skills but Noel is also recently embracing a new part of her ministry and heart as she has been asked to help lead worship in several churches.
?God has a plan,? Noel boldly states, ?I'm not in control but it's going to work out. Singing for me is not only a career; it is a way of life. Nothing means more to me than living my life to serve my Father, and what better way to do it than to put all of the passion and life Jesus has given me into my every breath? My heart breathes through song?
I feel like musically, in my writing, and in my heart I'm really starting to discover a clearer picture of who Noel is? and I'm finding out I have a lot more to share with the world??