Voice Lessons

Voice Lessons

Christian Shelton is sharing the gift of song — and just getting started.

If you attend a community event in Las Vegas these days, chances are that you’ll hear Christian Shelton belting out a popular R&B song or even an opera selection. He has enjoyed singing since he was very young, but didn’t truly grasp the power of his voice until he got to the Las Vegas Academy of the Performing Arts.

“I really didn’t know what I would specialize in when I entered the Academy,” said Shelton. “I was initially very nervous because I had never sung in front of anyone. It was a different experience, but singing worked out for me and it is the best. I love it.”

Shelton’s love for singing both classical and R&B songs recently earned him, for the second year in a row, the 2019 State Solo & Ensemble Command Performance Award for Vocal Solo Male. He won the honor by besting the most talented male vocalists from high schools across Nevada.

Now 18, Shelton recently traveled with his school choir to Austria — where he performed in some of the world’s most esteemed cathedrals. Defining his singing voice as a tenor, Shelton acknowledges that opera is challenging. 

“Singing opera takes a lot of training,” he said. “You have to rely on your own voice with classical — you can’t use a microphone. You have to depend of self-amplification.”

Shelton is excited to be on his way to UNLV, where he will continue his studies in music and technology. After high school, he will seek to audition for “American Idol” and “The Voice.”

Reflecting on his favorite tune, Shelton said, “I can say my favorite song is ‘The Impossible Dream.’ There is a classical version of the song, but I truly like the version that Luther Vandross sang. I really love singing that song.”