Danielle Hill was born singing, she said, and earlier this month her 17 years of practice paid off. Hill, a senior at the District’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts, performed at a D.C. College Access Program talent contest and walked away with a $10,000 scholarship. The money will go toward her first year of college Virginia’s Shenandoah University, where she’ll study musical theater.
You performed in front of celebrity judges like Debbie Allen and Michael Bivins. Were you nervous?
I wasn’t too nervous — I perform a lot, so I’m used to it. I’ll admit, though, I was a little nervous about the fact that I was performing at the Kennedy Center.
What did you sing?
I sang “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” It was the song Jennifer Hudson made famous in the movie “Dreamgirls.” I didn’t choose it, but the producer of the show had it in mind, and liked how it sounded when I sang it.
What motivated you when you were on stage?
I was ready to perform. My motivation was the scholarship, and wanting to give the audience a good show. It’s fun for me; I’m a daredevil, I like to step out of the box.
What was your reaction to winning the $10,000?
I was in total shock — it didn’t hit me till the next morning that I had won. My aunt made me pancakes for breakfast, and I was watching the 11 a.m. news and there it was: a little spiel about the show, and then the anchor said “Congratulations to Danielle Hill.” And then I realized it had really happened!
Do you have any performance role models?
Queen Latifah. I like how she stays true to herself despite all the publicity. And she can perform in musicals, dramas, comedies — and she can sing jazz. I love that.
What’s your dream role?
I would like, someday, to play Motormouth Maybelle in a Broadway production of “Hairspray.”
