Sidney girl’s singing drawing attention

Alexis Fleener, Sidney, made the decision prior to her freshman high school year that she wanted to focus her musical attention on choral.

She made the decision loud and clear.

Anyone that has heard the 15-year-old girl sing can testify that she is anything but a quiet singer.

“I used to push to be loud, now I have to push to be softer,” Fleener said. “My dad sometimes says at home to keep it down a little bit. But it will pay off one day.”

The daughter of Darren and Adrienne Linde has enjoyed letting loose with your voice “since I was little.” Alexis adds, “I just started singing in my bedroom and my shower.”

It wasn’t until this past school year, however, that Fleener has shared her singing talents with more people than just her family.

She made the decision to take choral classes at Sidney High School after being a band student at the middle school.

“I decided I was better off singing than playing the oboe,” Fleener said.

The decision was a successful one as she earned high “I”s at the district and state music festivals.

But outside of school, she really gained attention. This spring, she earned second place and $200 at the Teddy Talent Trek event held in Williston, N.D.

“After that, I got calls from a lot of people to be in the Colgate (County Showdown),” Fleener said.

Jeff Nelson, Northern Plains Radio, describes Fleener, “She’s a young lady with a very powerful voice. Confident is a good word for her.”

Nelson served as Fleener’s sponsor for the Colgate Country Showdown.

“She shows potential,” Nelson said regarding Fleener’s future.

Her performance of “Bring on the Rain,” didn’t place in the top three but she received a lot of praise. Her favorite is being called “Future American Idol.”

Fleener explains that she experiences the normal pre-stage jitters, “But once I sing the first note, I’m already.”

And when she gets going, audience members are bound to notice. “My mom says I sound like I was born in a Gospel church.”

She hopes to enter other singing competitions and is willing to sing at other area events if she’s asked.

Her favorite music is country, and her favorite performers are Jo Dee Messina and Lady Antebellum.

“I like to see the faces of people when I sing. I just feel comfortable on the stage,” Fleener said.

editor@sidneyherald.com