Duncan’s Got Talent, thanks to a Chemainus girl.
Lennon Littlejohn, 12, graced the stage and placed first during the singing portion of the contest. There was also a dance component to the summertime tradition in Duncan.
Littlejohn said she started singing at the age of two so this is already old hat for her.
“I have video of me sitting on the staircase and not remembering all the words and the songs but singing randomly,” she laughed.
Littlejohn was born in Vancouver but was only there until the age of two and her family also lived in Creston and Stewart before coming to Chemainus in 2018.
She’s now heading into Grade 7 at Chemainus Secondary School.
“I went from being the oldest kid in elementary school and I’m going to be the baby in the high school,” Littlejohn chuckled.
She’s never taken any formal singing lessons, but had some connections with a music teacher who gave her some pointers.
“I just kind of worked with her,” said Littlejohn. “She taught me a little bit of piano and helped me sing a couple of songs.”
She’s been playing the ukulele for about three and half years and has really enjoyed that.
“I loved it so much I bought my own,” Littlejohn pointed out. “It’s a little easier than guitar. It’s smaller, it’s pretty simple.”
She did learn guitar a bit in school. “That will probably be an instrument I’ll learn to do later,” Littlejohn confided.
Chemainus Elementary music teacher Anna Steininger has been instrumental, so to speak, in Littlejohn’s love of music.
“I’m really appreciative of her,” Littlejohn said. “She really started me on ukulele and singing.
“Sometimes I just sit in my room and learn a song and play around with it.”
There’s always a chance of developing her music interests more backed by the confidence from the contest win and still being young.
“It’s kind of in the middle, I think it would be awesome to take music further,” said Littlejohn. “I just need to do more practice before I do that.”
This was a first-time experience to see how she did and how much she liked it.
“I haven’t really been in a contest where there’s critiques and a contest with money,” Littlejohn noted. “It was a real cool learning experience. I’m glad I did it and grateful for the people who put it on.”
Her Duncan’s Got Talent win came with a $300 prize that she’s already put to good use.
“I have used it on some clothes, food and books,” Littlejohn indicated.
She sang two songs on the first day of the competition, then received critiques from the judges before performing them again two days later. Her selections were: Dreams by Fleetwood Mac and Small by Chloe Moriondo.
“I got some feedback guidance that helped me and did what they said,” noted Littlejohn. “It went like I hoped it would. I’m glad.”
Performing in front of a crowd was another aspect of the competition that’s not everyone’s forte, but Littlejohn excelled.
“I’ve never had stage fright before,” she said. “I was a little nervous before I went on, but that’s what I love to do.”
And if you’re wondering about Lennon’s first name, yes, there is a significance.
“My parents really liked the Beatles and they really liked John Lennon,” she said. “They thought it worked good for either gender. I like my name a lot.”
Remember that name. When she becomes famous, everyone in Chemainus can say they knew another Lennon starting out who made an impact in music like her namesake.
@chemainusnews
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
