Senior Kelsey Nicolay has been a singer for over a decade but she has never had the opportunity to perform a solo. That is, not until Thursday night.

Nicolay signed herself up to perform in Ashland Idol. This competition, sponsored by the sisters of Phi Mu at Ashland University, is held annually in support of the chapter’s philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network.

“I was really surprised when Kelsey (Nicolay) signed up,” Rachel Heckathorn, president of Phi Mu, said. “I’m really excited for her to be able to perform though.”

“I’ve gone to watch (Ashland Idol) since I started at AU,” Nicolay said. “I also love to watch American Idol, so I thought, why not give it a try?”

Having never performed a solo before, Nicolay admitted to being nervous prior to the competition. According to Nicolay, as of two days before the show, she still had half of her repertoire to learn.

Nicolay is no stranger to music, however. She has been part of a choir since fourth grade, only taking a break during her freshman year because, unfortunately, there was no choir to join at the Medina campus of Akron University.

When she transferred to AU, however, she became involved in Women’s Chorus and the Ashland Area Chorus, where she currently sings within the alto and mezzo-soprano range.

Nicolay recently learned how to read music in Braille, a form of writing used specifically by the visually impaired or blind. Until now, she has only been able to learn the words. She was forced to learn the music “by ear.”

One of the songs Nicolay chose to perform at Ashland Idol was Carrie Underwood’s “Just a Dream,” a song for which Nicolay was able to obtain Braille sheet music.

“When I first heard (“Just a Dream”), I thought it was a very emotional song and a good tribute to our soldiers,” Nicolay said.

The judges seemed to agree, commenting on her soft delivery of such an emotional song. They were also impressed with Nicolay’s determination to perform the song a capella.

Nicolay’s lack of vision did not deter her nerves either.

“I see it both ways,” Nicolay explained. “On the one hand, I wouldn’t be able to see the reactions of the audience, but on the other, I could hear their reaction in their applause.”

Nicolay did not require any sort of accommodation in order to perform. She performed alone, without her cane and with only the assistance of a “sighted guide” to lead her and situate her onstage.

“She is just like any other performer,” Crystal Kaschube, the Phi Mu philanthropy chair, said. “She doesn’t let her blindness stop her.”

Also just like any other performer, Nicolay was very critical of her performance. She felt it was terrible and wished she could have practiced more.

She was, however, thrilled with the results of the competition and felt that fellow Women’s Chorus member Ashley Keim certainly deserved to win.

“I would definitely sign up again next year,” Nicolay said, “and hopefully I can practice more.”