CAPE CORAL, Fla — Katie Weinstein has always had a love for music and the arts. It all started when she was little living in New York. Katie did Christmas concerts at her school and got involved with local theater in the big apple. When she moved to southwest Florida at the beginning of middle school, she didn’t let anything slow her down.
“I kept going. I did shows at the Florida Repertory Theater, and I did stuff with Cultural Park,” Katie said. “I’ve been a camp counselor for Cape Coral Playhouse. I’ve just been very involved in the arts.”
She’s also involved in the arts at her school. The Oasis High School senior has helped build the chorus program, is in the International Thespian Society, In the Florida Vocal Association, as does Musical Theater. She has been doing competitions, gotten superiors at both local competitions, and went to New York last year to sing at Carnegie Hall.
Carrie Guffy is Katie’s chorus and theater Director. She started working at Oasis High School two years ago. She says Katie is all-around amazing and was a leader from the first day she met her.
“She has such a huge heart. And her love for music and theater was evident the very first day,” Guffy said. “She’s always willing to step up and do whatever it takes. She’s a good kid.”
From the age of six to thirteen, Katie’s dream job was to be on Broadway. But not she’s planning on using her voice to help others with music therapy.
“I love helping kids. So I want to focus more on the pediatric side of it,” Katie said. “I get really happy. I’m like, oh, I can make a difference. If not in many people’s lives, I can make a difference in someone’s life by singing.”
Katie will be attending Florida Southwestern State College in the fall. She’s excited to be around still, and see the chorus program at her school grow. And even though her senior year isn’t what she planned it to be, she has a special message for her classmates.
“Don’t take it for granted. Do your best. And stay you and don’t change for anyone,” Katie said.
