Morgan Myles <<<<< Making Waves

After texting her for an interview request, she responded back within minutes (this after we had not corresponded in years) In addition, she was willing to do a series of interviews for this piece, despite the fact she was enduring 12-hour days of rehearsals

Perhaps being a truth-teller requires also being an empath During the isolating times of COVID, Myles reached out the best way she knew to help senior citizens Karen Pinnsonneault, Myles’ mother, says, “During the pandemic she sat outside nursing homes for a month singing Her soul comes through her music and that is a big gift. She is genuine and kind hearted.”

The pace of production needed to produce a show like “The Voice” can be grueling. “There is so much going on and we are utterly exhausted. We played huge numbers and the whole show is being able to pull together all those numbers,” Myles says of practicing numbers with new vocal partners, attending fittings and pre-recording video.

None of that exhaustion ever bled into her performances One memorable moment came when she sat before a grand piano (showing her multi-instrumental talent) in an Oscar-worthy gown with a train running to the stage’s edge She dedicated Lady Gaga’s “Always Remember Us This Way” to her grandmother and cousin Both died from a hereditary disease that runs through Dan Pinnsonneault’s family, her father As her parents watched from the audience, Karen was brought to tears, while Dan smiled ear to ear Her energy, musicianship and stage presence demonstrating what years of hard work and immense talent looks like.

That hard work started for Myles as a child. “It would have been kindergarten. I got a solo in a musical at Four Mile Elementary.” It was much later after that when Brumbaugh saw her perform as Dorothy in Loyalsock High School’s production of “The Wiz.” “I played in the pit and thought, ‘That girl can sing.’ She later tore something in her leg and couldn’t play soccer anymore. I then taught her guitar and the first show that I put her in, I needed someone who could belt Janis Joplin I think she was horrified but she studied [Joplin] and worked her butt off,” says Brumbaugh “She was a hard worker from the beginning ”

Most likely, Myles’ work ethic came from her parents While living in the Williamsport area, the high school sweethearts established successful businesses and devoted time to helping their community In one memorable 2009 commercial spot for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Dan donated his 1973 Z-28 Camaro and driving skills for filming As for Karen, she volunteered on local arts committees helping to build the vibrant arts scene we know today

As for Myles’ work ethic, it paid off when she cinched one of the three top spots on “The Voice ” She was the only female and only Nashville contestant to reach that height Then just days after walking off “The Voice’s” stage, she was invited to take the Grand Ole Opry’s stage, a lifelong dream was soon to materialize “The Opry was like ‘Yes, you earned it’ and for me that’s the win I am glad this is my next performance and I will sing my original music I will be in my element with worldclass musicians” ” says Myles, just weeks before another career-defining performance

Her inaugural album “Therapy” was recorded prior to “The Voice” and is now available on music platforms The album showcases Myles’ powerful voice with self-empowering anthems

The songs are something of a musical diary expressing what Myles has endured in the country music industry “It hasn’t been easy The biggest thing is that [music labels] think women don’t want to listen to other women, which is crazy The entertainment industry is tough on women It's a whole other set of rules for females,” Myles reveals

On January 6, Myles stood on the Opry’s Mother Church stage at The Ryman in Nashville She had come full circle and, once again, her hometown was there to support her As she concluded her performance, she was met with a standing ovation and there in the crowd stood a contingent of proud locals clapping wildly for Myles’ continued ascension “So many friends, family, co-writers and people I’ve worked with came out from all over and that makes me more proud than ever That night was all about all of us,” says the grateful musician

What is next for Myles? She will be returning to the area to perform at the Community Arts Center April 15 at 7:30 p m She says, “I just want everyone in my hometown to know how much I love the support and encouragement and I can’t wait to come back and play a show for my hometown ”