Today we’d like to introduce you to Lexi Rains.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have roots deep in music. Having been born on a Wednesday and on stage the following Saturday, I was quite literally born into this amazing life! Although music was my whole life, I spent several years in my youth refusing to follow in the footsteps of my musical family and ignored my vocal ability until a teacher suspected my talent and encouraged me to try out for the school musical. After being cast as the lead, I found my confidence and my voice. I realized the blessing music was in my life and began to sing and perform again.
After noticing the impact music had in my life, I realized that not everyone had the same musical opportunities so readily at their fingertips like I did. Sadly, in some parts of the country, music is being silenced in communities and within the walls of schools. Whether it be a lack of funding, resources, or support, more and more students are being denied access to a quality music education… and that’s a problem. I began working to expose children in my own community to the arts. I developed and offered camps, workshops, donated instruments, and provided performance opportunities to hundreds of youth. I have been able to present my Music Matters Program to over 1,000 students across Texas & Oklahoma. I am proud to say that I have reached 63,600 people to date through music.
Additionally, in 2019 I was the youngest member of the Denison Performing Arts Board of Directors and worked closely with the Board to implement new performing arts programs within our local school district. Music education helps shape our next generation to be creative, collaborative and forward-thinking leaders while reinvigorating communities and those living there. Music education gives students a reason to be in the classroom. Research continues to show significant data proving the positive impact music has on a student’s ability to learn, retain, and articulate information. This is my mission and my motivation. In February of 2019, I was presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: I was invited to become a National Influencer with the Country Music Association Foundation. Because of the shared desire to bring awareness to the importance of Music Education, I joined their It Starts With M.E. campaign.
The “It Starts With M.E.” (Music Education) campaign is designed to help raise awareness for the importance of music education and to create an advocacy team for our young people. Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban are just two examples of the artists standing behind the CMA Foundation and the It Starts With M.E campaign. After thinking of a way to share my story with an approach that was palatable to young kids, I authored and published a children’s book called “Harmony the Hippo.” It is my own story told through the life of a young Hippo who, through her own insecurities and fears, quits doing what she loves- singing! My favorite line from the book sums it up, “Everyone has a talent given just to you, so don’t be afraid to try no matter what you do!” It is a project that has truly exceeded all of my expectations! Having sold more copies than I thought possible, being a featured author at the 2019 TEPSA Summer Conference, as well as reading my book to schools throughout the state, it is the kids’ personal stories and individual lives being changed that continue to mean the most to me. I bet you are wondering what my personal, day-to-day life consists of… well, you guessed it… more music! I am 20 years old, a business owner and a college student, an aunt “LuLu” to my sweet niece, Oakley Tate, a country music lover, and of course a singer! I am a vocal and performance coach in my hometown of Denison, TX where I direct StageStars and StageStars Mini performance troupe, and I am a veteran performer in StageStruck performance troupe. I am also a Red River Dancer, the face of our family owned “Red River Opry” variety show.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
At a young age, I had a lot of insecurities and wasn’t really sure who I was or where I wanted to be. This as well as my family’s entertainment lifestyle forced me to grow up very fast! Starting a non-profit organization, becoming an author, and being a role model for young girls all at the ripe age of 19 came with a lot of struggles. Now, being a 20-year-old female entrepreneur sharing my passion and accomplishing my mission, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Luckily, I have always had the support of my family to help me along the way. I wouldn’t be who or where I am without my parents, mentors, and close friends.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a vocal and performance coach. StageStars Mini is my younger performance troupe made up of 4-6-year-olds, and StageStars are my older kiddos ranging from 7-9! I also do some pageant training as well as dance classes at the studio! Apart from teaching, I wrote my first children’s book back in 2019! I never expected to become an author, but I have loved the experience so much. I would love to continue sharing inspiring messages to kiddos all around! Expect a sequel to my first book “Harmony the Hippo” in the near future! In 2019, I won the title of Miss Frisco’s Outstanding Teen and went on to place in the top 10 at Miss Texas Outstanding Teen. Spending the year as Miss Frisco’s Outstanding Teen sparked my love for volunteering, not only in my own community, but throughout the metroplex! I was blessed to receive Denison’s 2019-2020 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. My love for volunteering, meeting new people, and my passion for the arts have all driven my desire to become Miss America one day. Despite the national pandemic temporarily halting my journey to Miss Texas & ultimately Miss America until next year, I am very excited for what the future holds!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My job makes me extremely happy! I am so blessed to be able to do what I love. Through being a vocal and performance coach, I am not only able to be involved in the music industry, but connect and develop the confidence of young kids as well. One of my favorite parts about working with schools is the life touching stories happening for both me and the students… and you can expect to experience a lot of that when working with low income schools. But, I will never forget when I did one of my very first school visits… we played games, learned about rhythm, and even read my book “Harmony the Hippo.”
Towards the end, I decided to let some volunteers come up and strum my guitar. I called one last little boy to join me at the front of the class. When he finally situated his fingers right and made that very first strum, his eyes lit up with joy. As they were leaving, the little boy’s teacher told me, with tears in her eyes, she would never forget that moment. She said that he had asked Santa for a “Buitar” for Christmas, but sadly Santa was not able to fit it on his sleigh that year. Overwhelmed with both sadness and joy, I had an idea! The following month, I visited the school again but this time with TWO guitars ready for donation; One for the little boy and one for his class! The joy on his face made me realize that I was exactly where I was suppose to be, and I was doing exactly what God had intended for my life. THAT is what it is all about for me, and that is what brings me happiness!
Contact Info:
- Email: musicmatterstx@yahoo.com
- Website: www.lexirains.com
- Instagram: @lexirainss
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexi.s.rains
