In her song “American Teenage Dream,” 16-year-old Grace Titus writes about a young person’s aspirations for more: “romanticize my youth, i can’t believe/that i keep shouting out—‘oh please, oh please, oh please’/i want something more and i can’t fall asleep/
is this my typical teenage dream/American teenage dream.” 

She’s not a typical teenager, however, and some of her dreams are already coming true. 

“She made it to Hollywood Week on ‘American Idol’ this season; that means she sang for Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie and got the ‘golden ticket’ to Hollywood,” said Kelly Titus, Grace’s mother. “She was one of only 25 minors—166 finalists total—and the youngest contestant. Before that she was a finalist on ‘The Voice,’ but was cut days before we were supposed to leave for the blind auditions.” 

Grace has already been involved in local musical theater, performing in several shows, including the role of a young Cosette in Les Miserables at Omaha Community Playhouse. She excels offstage, too. Grace is a starting pitcher for Omaha Central High School’s varsity softball team and an honors student. 

Talent is just a beginning, Kelly said. “I think it’s important for young people to know it takes a lot of hard work…You can do amazing things, but you have to put the work in.”

Grace began taking lessons at age 7 from vocal performance teacher Anne Marie Kenny. 

“I really loved musical theater and my parents thought it would be a good hobby for me to pick up,” Grace said. “I didn’t really realize how far it would come.” 

“I can’t say enough wonderful things about Anne Marie Kenny,” Kelly said. “She taught Grace everything she needed to know about how to hold her body, how to use her breath, how to sustain notes in a safe way for her voice. She’s amazing.”

Grace said the foundational training not only instilled discipline, but also sustained her love of music. She continued voice lessons until age 13. 

“Then I wanted to pursue more of my original music, and more pop music, what I’m working on now,” Grace explained. She picked up the ukulele and also taught herself to play piano and guitar, which led to songwriting. She regularly shares her works on Instagram and Facebook, but hasn’t quite made the leap to YouTube. 

“I’m trying to get past that mental block of everything having to be perfect,” she explained. Her mom added, “Hours and hours have gone unposted.” 

Grace describes her voice as “pretty strong and loud,” a reflection of her passion for music. Her lyrics are often a commentary on what is going on in the world, broad enough for listeners to find personal interpretation relative to their lives. “It can mean something different for everyone,” she said. 

“Grace is very empathetic,” Kelly said. “She feels everything and does a really good job about putting that onto paper and into her songs.”

“Songwriting ability comes with time. I’m definitely finding my voice,” Grace added. “I really like to write about social justice and things I get angry about. And current events, it definitely stems from that.” 

Passion and compassion both translate well to live performances, and Grace said she feels that’s where she really shines, although local opportunities are limited for a person under 21.

“That confidence and that feeling of energy from the connection between the audience and myself keeps me motivated,” she said. “I always have and always will love performing.” 

She’s not tied to a particular genre. 

“I like to try with a lot of things and experiment…I like to cover a lot of ‘90s grunge songs and I like Taylor Swift, so her songs pop out once in a while. It really depends on how I’m feeling,” she said. “Putting yourself in a box really limits your creativity. I like to listen to all types of music and I get inspiration from everywhere.”

Grace said she looks forward to attending college and hasn’t yet landed on a career plan, but it’s not likely to be in the music industry. Hollywood Week with American Idol gave her an interesting glimpse of teenage and barely-adult singers who’ve already put all their energies and resources into pursing a music career. 

“It’s remarkable that she’s so young and talented,” Kelly said. “But she’s not in any big hurry, especially after the American Idol experience. It was a good shock to the system to really get a look at the reality TV industry.” 

Kelly said she and husband Ben are supportive of their daughter’s ambitions, but they’re not sacrificing a normal life for Grace and her sisters Ruby (14) and Edie (12). 

“Ruby and Edie love watching Grace play. There’s no jealously and they’re her biggest fans,” she said. “I hope we [as parents] are keeping Grace grounded as much as possible. We try to give her confidence but make sure she continues to challenge herself.”

“It’s a lot to juggle,” Grace said, adding that she thrives on structure and routine but doesn’t force the creative energy. 

“I wait for inspiration,” she said. And it flows freely. “I sing every day. I write music every day.” 

Kelly said the family appreciates being able to provide lessons and instruments and everything it’s taken to help Grace’s talents blossom. “Grace has been privileged in many ways and I know that she doesn’t forget that.”

“I just want to continue to get better at songwriting,” Grace said. “I want to keep improving and playing.” 

Visit @itsgracetitus on Instagram and @gracetitusmusic on Facebook to view Grace’s work.

This article first appeared in the November/December 2020 issue of Omaha Magazine. Click here to subscribe to the print edition.