![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FP_Emily_performance_May_2026_RESIZED.png\")
<\/p>\nLuckily, I got a second chance<\/p>\n
First Person columns are personal stories and experiences from kids written in their own words. For more information and to learn how to submit your own piece, scroll to the bottom of the page.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adults say \u201cdream big.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sometimes that means racing up three flights of stairs in slippery tap shoes, clutching a half-eaten snack and hoping I can finish it before I\u2019m called back on stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One minute I\u2019m leaping across the stage, the next I\u2019m scrambling into my next costume and hoping my crackers with cheese don\u2019t fall on the floor.<\/p>\n
My parents, teachers and even my friends\u2019 parents say things like \u201cfollow your passions!\u201d and \u201ctry new things!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
But they also say \u201crelax, just be a kid!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I love performing, but sometimes things don\u2019t go as planned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At 10, I\u2019ve learned what I do takes courage and it’s OK if something doesn\u2019t go my way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You just got to keep going.<\/p>\n
How am I supposed to chase my dreams and chill out at the same time?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Personally, I think being a kid in the performing arts should come with a calendar app, unlimited snacks and a personal assistant who always knows where my left tap shoe is.\u00a0<\/p>\n
(Good news I have one; she prefers to be called Mom.)<\/p>\n
I started dancing when I was three.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Emily started dancing when she was three, and performed in her first competitive dance recital when she was six, pictured here. (Image submitted by Liat Brudnoy)<\/p>\n
Then came acting classes, piano lessons and, most recently, vocal training.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019d seen so many videos of celebrities hitting amazing high notes, and I have a deep voice, so I really wanted to be able to sing higher.<\/p>\n
My family and I went to a production of Annie a year ago in Stratford, Ontario. I loved everything about it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I thought to myself, \u201cI need to be in a movie. I need to sing. I need to be in productions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Living the ups and downs<\/p>\n
The best moments aren\u2019t always on stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019re the look of pure joy on mom\u2019s face after the curtains fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019re the rare compliment from my teenage brother: \u201cNot bad\u2026 you actually looked pretty good up there.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019re piling into the car with my family after the show, still buzzing, and heading out for a meal where I feel like the star of the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FP_Emily_restaurant_May_2026_RESIZED.png\")
<\/p>\n
Emily\u2019s family tradition is to go out for a meal after dance competitions and recitals, sometimes still in her costume. (Image submitted by Liat Brudnoy)<\/p>\n
But chasing big dreams doesn\u2019t always feel sparkly. Sometimes it feels heavy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I realized that this past December at a holiday concert.<\/p>\n
I was meant to sing my first full on stage vocal solo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was also preparing a piano piece, getting ready for the competitive dance season and finishing rehearsals for a musical put on by young artists.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was exciting, and \u2026 a lot. I felt nervous.<\/p>\n
I stood under the lights, hands on the mic stand, and gave a thumbs-up for the music. This was my moment. I was going to sing New Day Will Rise.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And then the wrong backing track started.<\/p>\n
Not slightly wrong. Completely unrecognizable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FP_Emily_singing_May_2026_RESIZED.png\")
<\/p>\n
Emily started vocal training in the past year after seeing a production of the musical Annie. (Image submitted by Liat Brudnoy)<\/p>\n
Sometimes things don\u2019t go as planned<\/p>\n
My brain went blank. My cheeks burned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not my song,\u201d I thought.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could see my parents in the front row looking confused.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt embarrassed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eventually the music stopped and I walked off stage.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t sing my song.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It felt like my hard work had slipped right out of my hands.<\/p>\n
When I got home, I sang the song for myself, without a mic or music.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I thought, \u201cThis is really good. It\u2019s OK, because I know I could have done it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mom hugged me and told me it wasn\u2019t my fault.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She asked if I wanted to slow down. For a moment I pictured hiding under a blanket and worrying only about homework, like my school friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was tempted, but I said no, I\u2019m going to keep going.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FP_Emily_basketball_May_2026_RESIZED.png\")
<\/p>\n
In addition to performing, Emily\u2019s older brother Liam has also gotten her into sports, such as basketball. (Image submitted by Liat Brudnoy)<\/p>\n
I felt determined.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t want one uncomfortable moment to decide my story.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mom told me that the song I had chosen \u2014 New Day Will Rise \u2014 is a promise that today doesn\u2019t have to get the final word.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A couple weeks later, I sang this same song at my school assembly. I felt nervous and my heart thumped, but I did it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now I\u2019m still taking vocal lessons and looking forward to the Arcadia Academy of Music MusicFest in Brampton, Ontario, where I\u2019ll get another chance at a vocal solo this summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m 10 and I\u2019m still figuring this out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some days are messy and magical at once with costumes, sequence, nerves and snacks tangled together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And even when things don\u2019t go as planned, a new day will rise.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Do you have a First Person piece you\u2019d like to share with the CBC Kids News audience?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what we\u2019re looking for:<\/p>\n
\tA First Person columnist highlights a specific experience they have been through and how it affected them.\u00a0 \ufeff\ufeffHave more questions? \ufeffWant to tell us how we’re doing? Use the \u201csend us feedback\u201d link below. \u2b07\ufe0f\u2b07\ufe0f\u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Luckily, I got a second chance First Person columns are personal stories and experiences from kids written in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":695362,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[49,48,75],"class_list":["post-695361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=695361"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695361\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/695362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=695361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=695361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=695361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\tThe column has a clear focus, is backed up by personal experiences and facts, is tied to something happening in the news and will be of interest to other kids in Canada.
\n\tTo read previous submissions, click here<\/a>.
\n\tDo you want to write a personal story for CBC Kids News? Pitch your idea here<\/a>!<\/p>\n