I saw FAME when it came out and bought the album when I was in the 6th grade.
Irenes music defined my childhood.
I sang her songs over and over again, at home, school, talent shows, church events, and for the elderly.
A highlight was singing What a Feeling from Flashdance with a live band to a gym full of mormon teens dancing the night away when I was 16.
I memorized Out Here on my Own from the movie FAME when I was in the 7th grade.
I played the piano and sang that song over and over again. I sang it in talent shows and for auditions for musical theatre. I sang it for my family, for friends, and for the elderly.
I was so inspired by Irene accompaning herself, that I decided I could do that too. So in the 8th grade at the Berkshire Middle school talent show I performed and sang for the first time publicly while playing the piano.
Irene died suddenly.
Jenny Marie Hatch
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