From singing in a Thomasville church to singing in Concert Hall in Germany, a renowned lyric singer returned to her roots this week in order to share her experiences with youth talent.

NaGuanda Nobles, a graduate of Florida State University and of Thomasville High School, was invited back to her hometown to speak, perform, and teach a master class to the fine arts students of Thomas County Central High.

“It truly is a humbling experience and I am grateful to be able to get to visit these schools,” Nobles, who is honored to return to her hometown, said.

Sept. 22-23 Nobles spoke with fine arts students at the Thomasville Center for the Arts auditorium. Nobles told the students stories on how she began singing and gave them advice, stating that, “if they open the doors and work hard they can achieve anything.”

Nobles also sung two of her favorite songs which she said she sung because “they were the very first pieces that I had learned.”

Taylor Midgett, a senior and a chorus member, thought Nobles “was absolutely incredible.”

“She truly is a role model for me,” Midgett said. “Her telling us about her journey helped me realize that it will take some hard work to get where I want to be, but once I get there the payoff will be worth it all.”

On Sept. 24, some of the Thomas County Chorale members got the opportunity to sit in a master class taught by Nobles.

“Mostly, I wanted my students to see the results of hard work,” Nicole Davis, TCCHS chorus teacher, said. “The same basics we use in class are utilized by professional singers. I wanted to inspire them to dream big.”

Selected choir students, who currently are taking special voice lessons with a college instructor, got the opportunity to sing in front of Nobles, who critiqued their song.

These students were Taylor Midgett and Cole Blackwell, who sang “Sento Nel Core,” and Ava Glover who sang “Lasciatemi Morire”

 “I was extremely excited but nervous to sing in front of Mrs. Nobles because she is just an amazing singer and it’s hard to compare to her,” said Midgett.

The young performer added, “…the advice she gave me really did help my breath support and gave me a more mature sound.”

Ava Glover revealed that, for her, it was both a “terrifying” and educational experience.

“It was terrifying, but Mrs. Nobles really knew what she was doing as she instructed me,” Glover said. “I will take her advice in account and transfer it to everything I sing from now on.”

 Students also had the opportunity to ask Nobles some questions.

For example, Lexi Jones, a sophomore and chorus member, asked how a student who wants to pursue a music career should get started.

“Study, learn languages, work with a voice teacher, know your own voice, and push yourself enough to achieve the things you want,” Nobles said.

Students, including chorus members Dayne Allen and Ansley Brinson, said they learned a lot from Nobles's visit.

“Mrs. Nobles inspired me and gave me confidence by assuring me that all my hard work will pay off,” Brinson said.

Allen said he learned “if you continue to pursue your dreams no matter what stands in your way, eventually you will make it...well, if you put in the hard work.”