Sep 10, 20195 min read

Dare to Dream

By Diane Tezeno (Last Updated On: January 14, 2015)

Photo credit: Halston Dare EPK via Marilyn Paret.

Houston singer Halston Dare takes to the stage to do more than perform, she is on a mission to have an impact on others through her music.

Whether singing the lyrics of one of her favorite songs, “Just Can’t Take It”, a song she wrote that helped her overcome the impact of bullying or her soon-to-be released song, “I’ll Be Here”, the up and coming singer/songwriter, seeks to inspire and uplift her audience.

“All I want is to know that someone’s heart was touched,” said Dare.

Her youthful and vibrant sound echoes the vocal style of Pop music sensation Taylor Swift and Katy Perry who she looks up to as a mentor.

“I aspire to sing with Katy Perry. Her weirdness and individuality is so captivating with her crazy colored hair and exotic makeup.

I hope someday to meet her and just maybe be able to sing with her. I can’t explain to you how much I love her as an artist,” said Dare.

After performing Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” in a vocal competition in front of an audience of 3500 people at the age of 11, Dare said she knew she wanted to pursue a singing career.

The competition was an eye-opening moment for her parents who knew she had a pretty voice, but were, admittedly, blown away by her performance and stage presence.

“She was a natural and so poised on stage like she had done it all her life. People were taking her pictures and at that moment,” said her mother, Marilyn Paret. “I became a believer in Halston and realized her voice was her gift from God. I looked at my husband who had tears of pride streaming down his face and was so choked up that I couldn’t swallow.”

Looking back, Dare credits a childhood bible school teacher for her role in awakening and nurturing her singing gift.

“My bible teacher Mrs. Johnson would allow me to sing every morning for my class with my classmates singing along with me. That was very fun and because of her believing in me, it opened my eyes to dream about becoming a singer,” shared Dare.

A referral from a family friend would lead Dare to Tom McKinney Vocal Studios where she took voice lessons and developed her stage presence.

“He told me that I needed to learn to write my own music that I couldn’t rely on having a good voice if I wanted to become a performing artist in today’s music industry. He said ‘By writing your own songs, it allows you to connect and create a bond with fans,'” shared Dare.

McKinney later referred the promising singer to Jude Dylan who taught her the basics of songwriting and helped bring her gift for writing song lyrics to the surface.

“One of my main goals for every song I write is to inspire people to get back up or connect with my music to give them hope,” said the Cuban/American recording artist.

Just as important as singing is Halston’s desire to uplift young girls and women through her nonprofit “Stars For Girls” whose mission is to raise funds to help girls’ charities around the world. The idea for the charity was sparked by a song that Dare wrote called “Stars” to express her discontent with the way girls and women are devalued in society. Her goal was to donate the proceeds from the song to charities that uplifted girls and women.

When she realized that the proceeds from the song would not be enough to have the impact she desired, she and music producer, Lily Young of T Y Music Group, brainstormed and came up with the idea of creating “Star” charm bracelets.

“I am hoping girls will unite and make the star charm bracelet the symbol for girl’s rights,” said Dare.

The “Star” bracelets project is a fun fundraising initiative for girls around the world to unite in a symbol of solidarity, shares Dare.

Proceeds from the sale of the bracelets have already allowed the young singer to provide school supplies for girls in El Salvador and tuition for girls in Bangladesh.

“My goal is to help as many girls get an education so they can change their future. We are trying to raise $5,000 by January to help pay for girls’ education in Honduras,” shared the Houston singer.

Radio stations KAMA 104.9 and 104.1 KRBE’s “What’s Up Houston” caught wind of Dare’s efforts and invited her to share her passion for helping others in recent radio interviews and also played her song “Stars.”

Now in the early stages of her musical journey, the talented young singer has already released her first music video, launched her website and is preparing to release her first song in 2015, performed with Nashville songwriter, Shane Stevens.

She encourages others to discover their follow their dreams.

“If you have a dream, big or small, don’t stop chasing your dream until you know it’s fulfilled,” said Dare, “People will try to tear you down, and tell you that you can’t do it, but you can’t let it get to you. The only person who is going to stop you from doing what you want to do, is you.”

Dare shows no signs of stopping, and in the next five years has her aim set on touring, recording more songs, mentoring young artists to fulfill their musical aspirations, and following her dreams of a number #1 song.

“But, most importantly, I see myself volunteering and supporting my community with its needs just like Stars For Girls is creating awareness for girl’s education in developing countries,” said Dare.

For more information, visit www.halstondare.com or follow Halston on Twitter or Instagram @HalstonDare or visit www.starsforgirls.com.

📷Stars For Girls Projects in January 2015

Halston’s first project aims to raise enough money by the end of January, through the sale of her “Star” charm bracelets, to help 50 girls at A Cup of Cold Water Ministries’ school in Honduras. To purchase a bracelet or donate to the cause, visit www.starsforgirls.com.

Halston’s second project involves helping Houston’s inner city girls by collecting school supplies and delivering star charm bracelets to them by Jan.16.

To help with this effort, tweet @HalstonDare for more information.

Fun Things to Know about Halston

I am obsessed with eating chicken tenders and drinking Starbucks Frappes. My Favorite colors are turquoise,and hot pink, and I love shopping at the Galleria with my best friends.

What person would you most like to meet?

I would love to someday meet Katy Perry and sing along with her on stage.

Favorite Memory My favorite memory is going to the Katy Perry concert in October with my mom, Linda “my sister” Cleveland, and one of my best friends Bailey Batelle. Tears streamed down my face during every song she sang because it was so beautiful! Her concert was so much fun and I will never forget that night!!

Favorite Quote “Your dreams don’t have to stop when you wake up!”

Favorite Place to Eat Cane’s

Favorite Movies/Books: Movies: Hunger Games 1 & 2, The Vow, The Fault in our stars, Frozen, Oblivion, Monte Carlo, The Katy Perry Movie, Phat Girls, and Perfect Pitch Books: Hatchet, The Devils Arithmetic, and The Lord of the Flies, and, of course, The Bible