NORTHBOROUGH – Mirabel Pan Weston may only be 9 years old, but her vocal talent has earned her recognition across the country.
She recently performed Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” on the “Jennifer Hudson Show.”
“You’re my favorite singer, and I think you’re the best. I love how powerful your voice is and how clear it is,” she told Jennifer Hudson.
“That means everything to me coming from you,” Hudson responded. “I think your voice is just as powerful and clear. It’s amazing.”
Mirabel began singing when she started to talk. Her mother, Jie, is a vocal coach and taught while she was pregnant with Mirabel. In their lessons together, they work on various aspects of vocal performance, such as tone and the feeling in the music.
Jie did not let Mirabel perform on the stage until she was 6 when she felt she was ready. As a coach and parent, Jie does not make her students perform on stage unless they are fully prepared. She believes performing without being ready can harm a singer’s confidence and affect their growth.
“The stage cannot make you brave. If you are not ready, it will destroy your confidence and affect your life. That’s my logic,” she said.
She won the DFW Icon Singing Competition — which was the first time she performed on stage. She also won the Charleston International Music Competition and was named the gold winner of the Boston International Music Competition in 2023, as well as the best stage performance.
She has also performed the national anthem on major stages, including at TD Garden, Fenway Park and Polar Park. She will be performing on New Year’s Eve at TD Garden for the Celtics.
“This little girl — I’m proud of her not just because she’s successful for singing, I’m proud of her for who she is,” said Jie.
The same song can be interpreted differently by every singer, and Mirabel pays attention to expressing her individuality and unique emotions toward the song through her performance.
Viewers have praised Mirabel’s creativity and passion, which makes Jie proud as both her mother and coach. Noting online comments on Mirabel’s performances, Jie said, “So many people loved her singing — I think because she has expression from her heart.”
She continued, “That’s very, very important. That comes from music feeling as well. She knows what she’s doing. She knows what she’s singing. She’s always proud as an American.”
Mirabel, who attends a Christian school, also loves performing “God Bless America” and songs from musicals, including “Annie,” “Sound of Music” and “Anastasia.” She has also been actively involved in charity efforts.
“I can say, ‘My daughter is not just a little singer, she’s a little musician’ because she’s building music,” Jie said. When they rehearse, Jie said that she lets Mirabel perform the song as she wants. After, she will give her suggestions. “I give her the opportunity and the chance to make her own style,” she said.
Jie said that Mirabel is brave and dedicated.
She performed during the opening of the WooSox’s season in April after a snowstorm. It was a cold day, and many of the attendees like Jie were wearing winter coats and blankets. Mirabel had been sick and coughed for three days, but she told her mother not to cancel and said that she would try her best.
When the time came to perform, Mirabel took off her coat and sang. After, she told her mother that she almost coughed, but used the way she breathed to help suppress them.
“Because of the cough, she used a technique and her breath — just courage not to show it. That’s a big part — she’s not just a singer in a little body; she has the power to do what she needs to do,” Jie said.
