It’s the classic story of a pastor’s kid just trying to see herself on the Grammy stage. Hope, born Abigail Hope Stamper, has had an unwavering passion for singing and performing since she could crawl, and that desire has developed into a singer/songwriter full of hope and emotion. Though she had quite extensive classical training, her love has remained devoted to singing soul and pop, inspired by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Lianne La Havas, and Jonny Lang. So while her musical stylings tend to lean more towards pop/alternative, her vocals reflect a deep, soulful, cultivated sound.

 

Homeschooled until the age of 16, Hope had plenty of time to practice piano, write songs, do vocal exercises, and observe the career paths of her favorite artists, like Tori Kelly and Leon Bridges. She was involved in musicals, as she took on the role of Josie Marley in “A Christmas Carol,” in which she learned how to work a stage and command the audience’s attention. She also was in the Catawba Valley Community Chorus, and Anderson University’s Women’s Chorus, where she honed her ear for harmony, vocal blend, and developed teamwork as she worked with these large groups of artists.

 

Hope battles daily with an anxiety disorder causing the involuntary closing of the vocal cords. Vocal cord dysfunction creates an intense strangling feeling, making breathing extremely difficult. With that, singing became excruciatingly painful and nearly impossible. However, her love for singing outweighed the pain and she continues to sing in hopes she can bring awareness to this disorder and help those who may struggle.

 

Through her struggles are great, they have lead to even greater songs which tell her story. She hopes to soon record these songs and release an EP by the end of the year. To accomplish this, she is studying music business at Anderson University which will give her access to recording studios while learning how to market and publish her work. The ultimate dream is to become a recording artist with an independent label in the next five years, touring and opening for others while releasing original music.