Teen puts talent on the line for Fort Mill Band fundraiser

Music has always been one of Fort Mill resident Kimberley Copley’s greatest loves.

Copley, 16, who is originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, and moved to Fort Mill when she was 5 years old, started playing piano at 7. She has been singing as far back as she can remember.

“I loved music my whole life,” she said.

Now, the Nation Ford High School junior will share that passion with others during the Fort Mill’s Got Talent competition 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Fort Mill High School auditorium.

Proceeds from the competition will benefit the Fort Mill High School band’s March to Normandy campaign to raise $90,000 for the band’s trip to Normandy, France, where it has been invited to perform at the Normandy American Cemetery.

Copley, whose father is a church pastor, said a woman at her church offered her piano lessons after hearing her sing.

“I fell in love with the instrument,” she said. “I love the sound it makes.”

Copley has now combined her love of singing and playing piano for eight years.

“It gives me such joy to play piano,” she said. “Putting them together is a lot of fun for me.”

After taking lessons for a while on an electric keyboard, Copley said she was able to continue learning on her own when a friend gave her a piano.

“The sound (on a piano) is so much more natural,” she said. “It’s real, not synthesized.”

Copley said she enjoys playing classical music and Indie style pieces. She also enjoys Highland music, connecting to her Scottish roots, and artists such as Adele.

For Fort Mill’s Got Talent, Copley will perform “Mad World” by the band Tears for Fears, one of her favorites.

“I can feel the struggle in the song,” she said. “It’s a song I can express really well. I put my heart into playing music.”

Copley said she was determined to be part of the competition and saved for the $75 registration fee herself. Her audition video landed her a spot among dancers, singers and other musicians.

“To be one of the people chosen is amazing,” she said. “It’s an honor. There are so many talented people in the world and in Fort Mill.”

Copley said she wants to expand her abilities on the piano and continue to learn.

“I’ve always had a feel for music,” she said. “If words aren’t enough, you can always speak through song.”

Celebrity judges for Fort Mill’s Got Talent include Fort Mill Mayor Danny Funderburk, Hootie and the Blowfish drummer Gary Greene and Katie Knowles, instructor at Miller Street Dance Academy. Audience vote will count 25 percent.

The first place winner will receive $500 and a trophy, second place will take home $300 and third will win $200. Chuck Boozer of WRHI’s “Palmetto Mornings” will host the show.

Tickets for the show are on sale now at fortmillhsband.com. Adults tickets are $15 and youth (ages 17 and younger) are $8.

This story was originally published August 24, 2015 at 10:24 AM with the headline "Teen puts talent on the line for Fort Mill Band fundraiser."