A moment of procrastination dramatically changed junior Madeleine Chalk’s life. One Thursday afternoon, she was surfing YouTube instead of doing her Pre-Calc homework, when she came across a video of Anna Kendrick from Pitch Perfect, doing her thing with the cup in the movie.
“I knew how to do ‘the cup thing,’ and I liked the song, so I thought, what the heck,” said Chalk.
After just ten minutes of practicing, she was ready to have her brother film her and post it on Facebook for her mom to see during her business trip in Chicago.
586 likes and 154 comments later, she landed a recording deal. Chalk is currently in the process of producing a CD for Jeff Levin Records in Great Falls, which she goes to every Saturday.
“Believe it or not, my cup video was pretty much my ticket. [He] caught wind of my video, got in contact with me, and basically said ‘I want to produce you. Come to my studio.’ It all happened very fast–it was totally surreal,” said Chalk.
All of the songs are original and are a mix of rock, pop and blues.
“Right now, we are focusing on creating good music that is the best it can be. When we’ve finished with these songs, then we’ll talk about selling. To be honest, I can’t wait for people to hear it,” she said.
Her friends are also very supportive of her once in a lifetime opportunity. “Madeleine Chalk is one of the most talented, down-to-earth people I know and I think it’s inspiring that she is pursuing what she loves to do,” said sophomore Connor Kianpour.
Junior Rosie Brock added, “Madeleine is an incredibly talented vocalist and an overall beautiful person. I casually stalk her YouTube channel all the time to hear her latest song covers- -so I’m definitely really excited for her CD.”
Before this fast track to fame, however, Chalk had been singing practically her entire life.
“I’ve always loved to sing, no matter what style. I’d do all the talent shows and belt along with the radio. I started pursuing it seriously in 6th grade, when I did elementary school choir, and basically haven’t stopped since,” she said.
Chalk has been studying classical voice with her voice teacher for three years and alsoperforms in Madrigals. “She is an amazing soprano and whenever she gets the solos they are absolutely gorgeous,” said sophomore Rachel Tagliareni.
Madeleine Chalk continues to sing in these arenas as she pursues her recording deal, and nearly four months after she posted the video that changed her life, she still remembers her reaction to seeing all the likes and comments on the Cup Song. “I just remember feeling so grateful for each person who liked it and feeling the urge to hug them all individually. I honestly never expected this, and I still can’t believe it,” said Chalk.