By HARRY KNITTER
Clarkston News Staff Writer
He doesn’t know who Sinatra, Crosby, or James Taylor were, and he isn’t ready for the big-time yet.
Like so many of the competitors for American Idol awards, he is just happy making music with his voice.
‘He? is Corey Berg, a young boy of seven who has had more setbacks in his life than most people you’ve ever met. Corey has a brain tumor, so he spends a lot of time in radiation and other treatments designed to reduce the size (and effects) of his tumors.
In one of his treatment sessions, when he had to lie perfectly still, Corey began to sing. Nurses and other medical personnel nearby were pleasantly surprised by his talent.
The staff decided to give him a karaoke machine when he left the hospital. Subsequently, his mom decided to enroll him in voice lessons at the Clarkston Conservatory of Music, since singing was one activity he seemed to enjoy more than anything else.
Meanwhile, he became blind in one eye and medications made him gain weight and become lethargic.
However, with growing medical bills, his mom is hard pressed to come up with the $25 fee for voice lessons.
Enter the Clarkston Optimists.
Their charter is to support and encourage kids to excel. With the involvement of Jim and Ann Evans, both members, the club has been asked to provide a scholarship for 10 lessons for Corey at the Conservatory. That amounts to a small investment for the club, and a huge investment for Corey, who entertained attendees at the SCAMP dinner in Clarkston recently.
‘He stood before the microphone and sang ‘Edelweiss?,? Ann Evans said. ‘At the end of the song, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.?
His voice teacher said that he would rank among the top three voice students she has taught in her 25 years as a voice instructor.
‘Besides his voice, he also has a very engaging personality,? Ann said. ‘When you are with him, all you want to do is smile.?
‘In a way, he is sort of like Mickey Rooney was as the age of seven,? she concluded.
Whether or not he would stand a chance in American Idol competition in the future is problematic, but his short-term future is of greatest concern in the Berg household. His mom is the single mother of three who is faced with heavy medical bills. But knowing that Corey’s voice lessons will be covered for the next ten weeks temporarily relieves her anxiety.
If you would like to contribute to Corey’s future lessons, send a check to Corey Berg, c/o Clarkston Area Optimists, P.O. Box 891, Clarkston, MI. 48346.
His voice teacher, Miriam Moore, regards Corey as one of the top three young students she has worked with in her 25 years in the business. If his health stabilizes, there’s no doubt he will be a challenger for area talent contests.