Raynham teen to showcase vocal talent in all-state concert at Boston Symphony Hall

RAYNHAM – At only 18 years sold, Samantha Boragine is proving she has the talent and determination to achieve her dreams.

With a passion to sing and perform that’s been unwavering since she was 2 years old, Boragine has already accumulated an impressive portfolio of regional theater and chorus work.

“It’s something I want to do all the time. I feel like I’m making an impact on people’s lives. Not in a self-important way. I feel there’s emotional value when I’m performing,” she said.

A big highlight in her young and burgeoning career as a singer is coming up this month when, on Saturday, March 23, Boragine will be performing at Boston Symphony Hall as part of an annual event, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Concert. Here, Boragine will be performing a mixture of classical and contemporary works in chorus alongside other select outstanding high school musicians from all across the state.

“She’s been trying to get to perform at this concert for years,” said Lisa Boragine, Samantha’s mother and chaperone who has driven her daughter to shows and performances for years.

Lisa Boragine explained her daughter's achievement this year came down to her getting high scores at both regional and state auditions with the MMEA, as well as her high school, the TEC Connections Academy (TECCA) Commonwealth Virtual Academy, sponsoring her.

Samantha is the first student from TECCA to ever have been invited to audition and then be accepted to perform at this concert, said her mother.

“They’ve been very supportive of her during the whole process; we are very grateful for them.”

Honing her skills

Growing up in Raynham, Samantha Boragine said she always had a love for musicals.  She recalls becoming a great admirer of singer and Broadway actress Sutton Foster. Foster’s performance of Princess Fiona in the Broadway production of "Shrek: The Musical", was a particularly big inspiration. “She does it with such joy and finesse,” she said about Foster, adding she always looks like she’s having fun.

During her elementary and middle school years with Raynham public schools, she was involved with chorus, drama, and theater.

Outside her public school education, she furthered herself with assorted music and dance workshops and extracurricular classes at Berklee Musical Theater, Franklin School for the Performing Arts, South Shore Children’s Chorus, Boston Casting, and Massachusetts Music Educator Association (MMEA).

Early on in her career she performed in numerous theatrical productions, like junior productions of "Frozen," "Annie," and "Into the Woods" with DramaFun Musical Theater, based on the Cape. She even got to perform in a production of "Shrek: The Musical" as Fiona, with DramaFun Musical Theater.

She also performed with the Pawtucket Community Players, based in Rhode Island, and Break a Leg Theater Works, based in Marshfield. 

Getting more attention

Samantha Boragine started at TECCA her freshman year of high school.  She said going to TECCA has allowed her more flexibility with her schedule than if she stayed with a traditional brick-and-mortar high school. “As someone who wanted to do a lot more performing and community theater, I appreciated I can control my own schedule,” she said.

Lisa Boragine adds TECCA has continued to provide a “rigorous online curriculum” for her daughter, while also allowing her dual enrollment status with Cape Cod Community College, giving her a more extensive performance arts education.

The flexibility of her academic schedule has also allowed for bigger and better roles and opportunities.

Some notable plays that she has been cast for recently include: "Carrie: The Musical" in February 2024 and "Chicago: Teen Edition" in July 2023, both with Taunton’s Applause Academy, working as a professional caroler this past holiday season with the Cape Cod Carolers, and performing Christmas songs at the 2023 Lights On Festival in Taunton.

Her performance as Fletcher in a production of "Freaky Friday" for the Mass Arts Center in April 2022, garnered her an award nomination with the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres for Best Youth Performer in a Play or Musical.

In April she will be performing in a production of "Bright Star" at Cape Cod Community College. This summer she will be attending and performing at the San Diego Youth Choir Festival.

Planning a career

Singing full-time as a career, whether through choir work, theater, or both, is Samantha Boragine’s goal and dream.  “That’s what I’m setting my sights on.”

Her mother added that Samantha has over a 4.05 GPA currently at TECCA and, combined with her accolades and portfolio, has received scholarship and paid tuition offers from various colleges and universities.

Samantha Boragine does intend to pursue higher education and said she’s been exploring multiple options. She’s considering majoring in vocal performance, but also plans on studying everything she possibly can with the performing arts, including behind-the-scenes operations and management in theater. “Having that degree and foundation would be useful,” she said.

Becoming a vocal coach or a teacher in the future has also crossed her mind.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Samantha Boragine of Raynham to perform at prestigious Boston venue