Chali Moss, 17, has always enjoyed singing and was told by her mother that she was singing before she was talking. But the moment her skills were best demonstrated came in an unusual fashion.

“When I was very young, I was watching a Blues Clues episode that had a singing scat and repeat jazz episode,” Moss said, “and [my mother] said that she came in from another room and heard a tiny voice singing and scatting to Blues Clues.”

Active in community theater since the tender age of six, Moss attend the fine arts magnet school Weisser Park Elementary and studied choir with Erin Bean and theater with Bruce Hancock. 

Her talent led her to an experience which she cherished, one which has helped her further hone her skills. With a dream of one day performing on Broadway, these experiences are building toward that dream.

“Last year was my first year in a preprofessional theater company at the Community School of the Arts in Marion,” Moss said. “I had a lot of family, personal, and financial struggles that made being able to go there such a difficult process, and I wasn’t sure that I was ever going to be able to. My mom and grandparents helped make it possible for me to go and continue my career as a performer at CSA. 

“Our first show of the season was Cinderella, and I was cast as Cinderella/Ella. The performance on opening night after working so hard to get there just felt so rewarding. I was so grateful, and I knew that on that stage was where I was supposed to be.”