From a Glee Club in China to School of Rock in Fairfield

Twelve-year-old Anais Preller of Fairfield was born in Paris and spent time in China and Thailand.

“I’ve always been interested in singing and music, but it was my teacher in China who got me actively involved by joining the school’s Glee Club,” she told Patch recently.

Preller continues to evolve as a singer and found herself drawn to rock and soul.

“Some of my favorite artists are Joss Stone, Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin, Heart, Ed Sheeran, etc.,” she said.

Preller singing Led Zeppelin’s “Since I’ve Been Loving You”:

As a Fairfield School of Rock student, Preller doesn’t just take lessons with instructors.

“We believe the best way to learn music is to play music,” School of Rock Fairfield notes on its website. “We take students from the lesson room to the stage, developing both their confidence and musicianship with programs designed for all skill levels. School of Rock teaches guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, drums and combines weekly private music lessons and group band rehearsals to prepare students to take the stage in front of live audiences in an authentic concert setting.”

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Preller attributed much of her growth as an artist to her teachers: Mike Gurge, Tim “T-Bone” Stone, and Frank Perrouna. The biggest challenge she faces as a singer is singing in a lower register.

“I have a high range, but when it comes to low notes, I find I have to push myself harder,” she said.

But singing brings powerful rewards to Preller’s life and she said the audience is a big part of what she does.

“The most rewarding part of singing is when a song comes together and the audience feels what you feel as a singer, whether it is emotional or upbeat,” she said.

Check out Preller singing a solo and playing keyboard below.

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