Student's voice stands out, puts her on stage in Indianapolis event

Imagine standing before a crowd of 100,000 in the middle of downtown Indianapolis with all eyes on you. This is exactly what junior Chaley Rose Jackson is set to do Friday at Indianapolis' 44th annual Circle of Lights. She will take the stage to sing "O Holy Night" as one of six acts in Indiana chosen to perform during the holiday celebration.\nThe Circle of Lights is an event held every year after Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season. At this year's event, the 242-foot monument at Indianapolis' downtown Monument Circle will be lit up with 4,784 lights strung from its base, according to the Indianapolis Downtown Inc. Web site. Along with the decorations, festivities will include a visit from Santa Claus and live entertainment.\nCircle of Lights will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and is presented by the contractors of Quality Connection and electrical workers of IBEW 481.\nJackson was chosen after an audition that included singing no more than two-and-a-half minutes of a song in front of judges -- and in front of others waiting to audition.\n"I was nervous, but after sitting through six hours of auditions, I was more impatient for my turn than I was nervous," Jackson said.\nJackson has been singing solos since seventh grade, when she sang for her church choir. \n"I loved that spotlight," she said. \nJackson has performed here and there since that first solo, including a performance at the Mayor's Martin Luther King Day breakfast in 2004 in Columbus, Ind. She also participated in show choir and earned herself the role of Meg Brockie in the musical "Brigadoon" her senior year of high school. \nSince arriving at IU, Jackson has been a member of the African American Dance Company, IU Soul Revue and the female singing group Sojourner in the African American Choral Ensemble.\nNot only will there be the challenge of singing in front of an expected 100,000 people, her nerves will be put to the test even more, as the performance will also be shown live on WRTV 6. \n"This will definitely be the biggest crowd I've ever performed in front of," Jackson said. "I'm confident, but I'll definitely be nervous." \nJackson will have the support of her family, as well as friends from IU who plan on attending the event, she said.\nAn international studies major and Spanish minor, Jackson has many options to explore after college but never rules out music. \n"I would love to be involved in music in my future," Jackson said. \nJackson has no planned performances in the near future, but if the opportunity is given, she said she will seize the moment. \n"I don't have anything lined up at this point, but if someone asks, I'd love to do it," Jackson said enthusiastically.