NEWLY MINTED SINGER TAKES THE BIG STAGE FEARS GIVE WAY TO CAREER CHANGE.

Byline: Peggy Hager Staff Writer

PALMDALE - A year ago, Gerry Kent decided to overcome a lifelong fear of public speaking by singing solo at church.

That decision was a disaster, but it eventually led to a suggestion that he take voice classes at Antelope Valley College - and ultimately led to his singing on stage at New York's Carnegie Hall.

``All limitation is between our ears,'' said Kent, who was among 40 Antelope Valley Master Chorale members who performed March 2 at Carnegie Hall. ``We set ourselves up to fail because of our lack of belief in ourselves. What we have to do to overcome those limitations is to face our own bogeymen.''

Kent, a self-employed graphics designer and former aerospace worker, compared singing at Carnegie to the birth of his first son - who, along with his second son, was in the audience.

``It took my breath away,'' he said.

Kent ended up at Carnegie after his church singing was heard by Antelope Valley College instructor Louis Sacco, who invited him to take his AVC vocal class.

``From not being able to carry a tune, to singing at Carnegie Hall, the man is amazing,'' said Sacco, who taught Kent in vocal classes for two semesters. ``He's one of the most headstrong determined men I've ever met. He's very demanding as a student. He's very tenacious. He'll keep asking until he understands and his progress has been incredible.''

Kent recalled: ``He said, 'Gerry, if you can sing on key, I can teach you how to sing.' And that's how it all started.''

The vocal class didn't start out well, however. On the first night, Kent was told he had to pick a song to perform. Kent - who years ago had done karaoke singing in bars, but only when encouraged by alcohol - decided the best way to deal with his fear was head-on.

``I was the first one on stage the following week. I got up in front of everyone. The accompanist began to play. I sang the first two lines and my mind went blank,'' recalled Kent. ``I was devastated. The worst possible thing that could happen just did. I froze. I couldn't have told you my name; my mind went into shut-down mode.''

Believing perseverance is the best choice, Kent returned the next week and every week until the recital at semester's end. He signed up for the next semester's class.

In December, he performed in ``Christmas Carol, A Musical,'' at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, and then he auditioned for the Antelope Valley Master Chorale, which was planning the New York trip.

Since his return home March 3, Kent has had two offers from stage productions to perform in their shows. He hopes it will lead to a career in motivational speaking.

``I've come out of my comfort zone, and I'm trying to do things that I never thought possible.''

Peggy Hager, [phone]

peggy.grimm-hager(at)dailynews.com

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(color in AV edition only) Graphics designer Gerry Kent said of singing in Carnegie Hall recently: ``It took my breath away.''