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| Photo credit: Photo screenshot from Snapchat video |
The Voice on Snapchat, in connection with NBC’s vocal talent show The Voice, allowed eligible users nationwide to submit a 30-second audition video. Selected judges reviewed entries, and Campbell was one of only eight people among 20,000 submissions to make it through to the public voting stage.
Campbell and the other three finalists were flown to Los Angeles on a VIP tour, where they met up with Ignatious, winner of the second season of The Voice on Snapchat. He shared a message from Adam Levine, a judge on the show and the lead singer of the band Maroon 5. The four finalists were invited to visit the set of The Voice, sitting in the famous judges’ chairs and taking selfies.
They also met with vocal coach Esther Dean, singer-songwriter who has co-written for artists such as Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry, and an acting role in the Pitch Perfect movies. Dean encouraged the finalists to “know your voice, and sing through your voice.”
For Campbell, the experience was an unexpected joy. “I auditioned in the summer over Snapchat, not thinking anything would come of it,” he remarks. “Before I knew it, I was recording [Snapchat videos] every week.” Although he did not advance to the final round, he is immensely grateful for the opportunity to travel and be a part of such a unique competition.
Campbell, a native of Dansville, NY, and a business administration and communication major at Houghton, has been a part of music at Houghton since his freshman year. He has taken part in the Greatbatch School of Music’s Men’s Choir, College Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and was a member of Houghton’s premier a cappella group, Houghton A Cappella.
