We are, in case you hadn’t already noticed, a Disney family. The one very annoying but endearing habit my husband has is that he likes to learn the lyrics to all of the songs in a Disney movie before we go, then he likes to sing out loud in the theater when the songs he knows pop up. And yes, we do still take him to the movies.
While browsing YouTube recently, perusing the Disney music videos, my husband came across this absolutely amazing video of a young girl, covering all of our favorite Disney songs from all of our favorite Disney movies. I got goosebumps watching the video, and just knew I wanted to contact the maker of this magical musical moment!
And now that I know her and how wonderful she is, I wanted to introduce her to all of you. She is talented, engaging, a huge Disney fan, talented, beautiful, and oh, did I mention how talented she is? AND she reads the Walt Disney World Moms Panel! AND this PHENOMENAL young woman is only 18 years old!!
Heather was kind enough to allow me to ask her a few questions so you could get to know her a little bit better.
Q. What is your favorite Disney movie?
Heather: My favorite Disney movie (this is EXTREMELY difficult) is Mulan. I grew up watching it almost every week. I love the characters. I love the story. I love the songs. It’s beautiful.
Q. Have you had formal makeup training? Your makeup changes are amazing!
Heather: I haven’t had any makeup training. It’s just something I’ve always had “a knack for,” if you will. People used to make fun of me in middle school for taking risks with makeup, but I liked doing it. Eventually I started a YouTube channel and unleashed all of the looks that I had always been to shy to wear in real life.
Q. Did you do the video yourself? Have you considered a career in video production? It’s amazing!
Yes, I did do the video myself. Believe it or not, it was shot with a basic digital camera. I was sitting on the floor for all of the filming too. It sounds strange, but it works. I record in my bedroom, so I make do with what I have. I’ve definitely considered making a career of it, but singing is my first love.
Fun fact: I had no idea that I would learn how to edit video whatsoever when I first created my channel. I intended to do one-take, basic videos forever, and then one day I bought Final Cut Express (software) and found an unexpected passion for editing. Editing, for me, is like painting, but with screens. I like using colors and effects to enhance the video visually and emotionally. Perhaps that sounds silly, but that’s how I think.
Q. Do you ever find yourself singing aloud in the movie theater during Disney movies? (UGH, I do, and I don’t have a fraction of your talent!)
Always.
In all seriousness though, I went to see Beauty & The Beast: 3D a few weeks ago, and sang along the whole time. Thankfully there weren’t too many people in the theatre, but I couldn’t help myself.
Q. Have you ever entered the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? How about the real American Idol? You’re very talented!
I have! I performed at the American Idol Experience last year and sang “Reflection” from Mulan. I had an unbelievable time, and ended up winning the finale show that day! The stage itself was breath-taking.
As far as the real show goes, I auditioned two years ago, and was rejected the very first round. It was discouraging, but a great experience, and I learned a lot! (WHAT? What the heck was wrong with those people??)
Q. Who is your favorite Disney character?
I was torn a bit with the first question, but this one is just brutal! I guess I would have to pick Rapunzel from Tangled. She is sassy, but can also be extremely caring. She can fend for herself, regardless to what she had been told all her life. Most importantly, she had a dream and wouldn’t let anyone or anything stop her until she got it.
Q. What is your favorite Disney song?
My favorite Disney song? Why is this so difficult?! Well, all of my favorites are in my Disney medley, so that’s my top 20(ish), but my favorite has to be “Reflection.” The first time I heard it, I couldn’t stop singing it for weeks. There was something in the lyrics that I instantly connected to emotionally. I still sing it regularly.
I cannot thank Heather enough for doing this with me! To subscribe to Heather’s YouTube channel, you can click http://www.youtube.com/user/heathertraska – which I promise you, you’ll want to do RIGHT NOW! She offers tutorials on how to do the amazing makeup she’s done in her video, and you can enjoy her incredible voice in some of her other music videos (her Whitney Houston tribute is a MUST SEE!).
