Bethel Park student’s work ethic pays off with musical opportunities

Forgoing the typical student’s summer vacation is par for singer Clara McGough’s course.

“She practices all the time,” her mother, Julie, attested. “She doesn’t have a lunch at school. Instead, she takes a study hall, which is her practice period.”

With the conclusion of Bethel Park High School’s academic year, Clara presumably is taking a smidgen of time for a midday meal.

“And then she goes to rehearsals,” Julie said. “So she’s constantly working to get better at her craft. And it’s nice to see her be rewarded for all of that.”

This summer, the 17-year-old’s rewards include opportunities to hone her considerable talents at a pair of premier programs for young performers.

First comes two weeks in the PreCollege Program at the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts in Connecticut, just a stone’s throw — actually, a 45-minute train ride — from the heart of American theater, Broadway.

Then she’s off to Carmel, Ind., for the Great American Songbook Foundation’s Songbook Academy as one of just 40 students selected from throughout the nation.

“It’s really exciting, because one of their focuses is on the timeless classics, jazz and musical theater standards, and that is definitely my favorite type of music to sing and perform,” Clara said about the latter.

She actually was chosen for the program in 2022, following her sophomore year at Bethel Park, but a conflict in her eventful schedule prevented her participation. When she auditioned this year, one of her submissions was a video of her performing “Lullaby of Broadway” with the River City Brass Band, a group with which she has plenty of experience as guest vocalist.

Scheduled for July 15-22, the Songbook Academy features classes, workshops and performances under the guidance of entertainment professionals and university educators, and includes three livestreamed public performance events.

The Norwalk program starts in late June, with master classes led by Broadway personalities, seminars from industry professionals, various workshops and a final filmed showcase. Clara drew the attention of a conservatory representative while participating in the Mid-Atlantic Regional College Auditions in New Jersey.

“I think they have a similar audition process as Songbook, but he accepted me there at MARCAs,” she said. “It’s really cool, because I see on the schedule they have times where I’m going to actually get to work with New York casting directors and agents. I’ll get to do auditions for them, and they’ll kind of coach me on how to do it better.”

Clara’s résumé of successful auditions goes back at least to third grade, with her selection as child soloist for “Somewhere” in the Bethel Park High School production of “West Side Story.” Two years later, she played Young Fiona in the high school’s “Shrek.”

As an actual high school student, she played female lead Morticia in this year’s production of “The Addams Family,” following the “Cinderella” title role in 2022 and performing as —take a deep breath — Logainne “Schwartzy” SchwartzandGrubenierre in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” when she was a freshman.

She’s an accomplished violinist, as well, taking lessons since age 4. Today, she is an integral part the high school orchestra.

While observers recognize her talent, that’s part of the story.

“They don’t realize how much work goes on behind the scenes. And I think that’s the key to success. You have to put in the work,” Clara said. “And it’s a lot about consistency, too. You have to keep putting in the work, and that’s how you’ll get places in the world.”

Encouragement from her parents helps considerably, too. Both are musicians: Julie teaches flute and is a sought-after soloist, and trumpet-playing dad Stephen is a longtime faculty member in Peters Township School District’s music department.

“She sees us, so she knows the work that has to go into it to be successful in this business,” Julie said. “I feel that for the kids who are really successful headed into college, summer isn’t vacation time. It’s still work time.”

Despite her achievements, Clara pretty much is the opposite of a prima donna.

“All the directors who have worked with her really love working with her, because she is such a kind person,” her mother said. “And I think that, combined with everything she does, is going to take her really far.”

Clara shares the sense of optimism.

“The hope is that someday I can use my passion for music to either inspire others or just to help connect people,” she said. “I feel like music is the one universal language, and it’s a really good way to build bridges between all types of people.”