"I usually don't like talking that much," said the 18-year-old North Bergen resident, who is home-schooled. "I pretty much keep to myself."
She's also good at keeping secrets. An avid piano player and singer, Christian never performed in front of anyone until her sister's 16th birthday party earlier this year.
"My sister told my mother that I could sing," Christian said. "I never sang before in front of my parents. They had no idea."
But on that fateful day, Sarah belted out a song from her deep religious faith, entitled "Just a Prayer Away" that floored everyone.
"They were amazed by me," she said. "No one knew."
So a now-inspired Christian decided to pursue a singing career in a field very fitting, considering her last name. She wanted to write, sing, and perform Christian music.
Sarah Christian has been an active member in the Englewood Assembly of God Church, where she sang a bit. After going on a church mission trip to Nicaragua in June, Christian returned home just in time to participate in the New Jersey Network Hispanic Youth Showcase.
Sarah wooed the judges at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark with her rendition of a song "I Surrender" and earned the Celia Cruz Scholarship Award as the top female teen vocalist in the state.
From there, Christian learned about another competition for Christian singers, called American Soloist, where young Christian singers compete for the chance to perform at a Christian music concert, called Autumn Blaze at the Meadowlands, at the Continental Airlines Arena Oct. 13.
Sister Christian
Sarah had to try out for the competition, featuring thousands of young Christian singers from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, at a regional competition in Ocean Grove last month.
To qualify for the competition, the performer had to display superior vocal quality, ministering in music to a Christian-based audience, with an emphasis on teen listeners. She also had to have experience and aptitude for worship by church involvement.
At that competition, Christian was selected as one of the 15 semifinalists, along with Sita Natasha Chandrika of West New York.
Now Internet goers can go to www.americansoloist.com and listen to samplings of the 15 semifinalists.
Vote The web surfers are then asked to vote for their favorites. The top three vote getters will be selected to compete outside the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford the Autumn Blaze's Tailgate Festival, prior to the big concert.
A panel of three judges will then select the best performer, and the winner will perform on the grand stage at the Meadowlands with some of the biggest recording artists in Christian music.
So in just a few months time, Sarah Christian has gone from singing quietly to herself to performing on stage at the NJPAC, televised on the NJN Network, and now quite possibly getting the opportunity to performing on stage with Christian music legends at the Continental Airlines Arena next month.
"The NJPAC was the first time I ever performed in front of people," Christian said. "It was an audience of about 500 people or so. Actually, that day, I was really sick and my throat was shot. I didn't think I'd be able to sing. But I went on the stage and my voice came back. It was a gift from God. I was shocked that I won.
Added Christian, "Then, I read about the American Soloist competition. I sent in a tape and a picture of me. I went to the regional and they picked me out of all the contestants to be a semifinalist. I couldn't believe it. I didn't think I'd get picked. There were more than 1,000 people entered and I got down to the final 15. It's really crazy, all that has happened."
Sarah Christian will be entering the equivalent of her senior year of high school this fall. She is hoping to go to college, majoring in music and voice, and someday become a Christian recording artist.
"I do write my own Christian songs as well," Christian said.
In that case, then they're truly Christian songs, written by a true Christian.
"A lot of people do listen to Christian songs, but they're not under a Christian label," Christian said. "My faith is very strong and very important to me."
Christian goes to church faithfully and worships daily. She is also the lead worship for her youth group now.
"Before this year, I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing," she said. "But now I know."
If you want to see Sarah Christian's winning performance on NJN's Hispanic Youth Showcase, log on to http://www.njn.net/television/webcast/hispanicyouthshow.html. If you want to vote in the contest and hear some of Sarah's music for the contest, go to http://www.americansoloist.com/contest/welcome.htm
Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at either OGSMAR@aol.com or jhague@hudsonreporter.com
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