They found their voice in seventh grade choir class.

Wearing a plaid skirt and patterned tights, junior Oliver Elam walked into their first day of choir in seventh grade nervous. But walking in, the smell of pumpkin-scented candles and the welcoming smile of their teacher made them feel warm and cozy.

Elam was accepted in the Keefer Crossing Middle School chamber choir after their teacher saw potential in them.
“I felt nervous that it would be like [sixth grade choir], where I wasn’t going to be challenged,” Elam said. “There were eighth graders that were friendly to me [and] they gave me a rundown of how [advanced] choir worked. I felt so much more comfortable and relaxed [after that].”

Coming from a musical background, Elam wasn’t a stranger to the world of melodies and tunes.“My mom is a singer,” Elam said. “She did choir throughout high school, so that influenced me to start singing. [But even] before I joined choir, I always loved singing. I would perform on stage at my elementary school.”

Music has always shaped Elam’s identity, influencing them from choir to fashion.

“When I started developing my [rock] music taste, I would get inspired by the artists I listened to and the way they dressed [for my style],” Elam said.

Having listened to a variety of artists, including Kurt Cobain, Lane Staley, Alice in Chains and Nirvana, Elam began to experiment with a ’90s-inspired “artsy” dress wear in middle school. Inspired by Courtney Love’s aesthetic with her babydoll dresses, Elam wore floral dresses, leather boots and ripped tights.

“I wore a lot of overalls and cute striped shirts,” Elam said. “It was very basic. In middle school, a lot of people get that feeling where they’re like, ‘I want to figure out things myself.’ And that was one of the things I wanted to start figuring out.”

Elam became a fashion club officer in their sophomore year.

“I really enjoy having meetings that are centered around something that I [am] passionate about, and celebrate the different kinds of styles at Bellaire,” Elam said. “There’s a diverse population of styles and dress and I want to be able to highlight [our meetings] around that.”

Senior Max Stears, a close friend and officer of the fashion club, says Elam “brightens” his day with their smiles and humor.“I will see [them] at [their] lowest moments and [their] soul will shine through,” Stears said. “People see them and just think of pure light and happiness.”

While Elam was furthering their passions in the fashion club, they were building up their voice in the varsity choir.“I feel like I [also] found my voice through the community of choir at Bellaire because they encourage me to do better,” Elam said. “I’ve made amazing connections, and Ms. Solberg is welcoming and makes you feel safe.”

Senior Adrien Starks, a part of the varsity choir, has been inspired by Elam’s passion in choir.“They have really inspired me to check out more genres of music and [dig] deeper into genres I already listened to,” Starks said. “They’re passionate about choir, and it’s really inspiring for me to put on our tuxes together and join our closest friends on stage.” Putting on the tuxes allowed them to express and be themselves.

Elam encourages people to be themselves and to sing freely, reminding others to take advantage of every opportunity they get.

“Even if you think you might make mistakes, don’t be afraid to sing out.”