For Haven Proffitt, music has never been something she discovered. It’s simply always been part of who she is.
“Honestly, I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” she said. “My parents say I’ve been singing since I could talk.”
From serenading the family with Edelweiss and Hakuna Matata as a toddler to capturing the Buds Division title in the 2026 Wildflower! Budding Talent Vocal Competition, Haven’s musical journey has been filled with passion, perseverance, and a genuine love for performing.
Although this was her very first time competing in the Wildflower! vocal competition, it certainly won’t be her last.
“I already can’t wait to audition again next year,” she said. “Everyone was so nice and supportive. It was just the best experience.”
Haven chose to perform Journey to the Past, a song she discovered while working with her voice teacher, Emily Bragg.
“We listened to different songs, and I just fell in love with this one,” she explained. “I couldn’t stop singing it, so we knew it was the one.”
The lyrics quickly became personal.
“Heart, don’t fail me now. Courage, don’t desert me. Don’t turn back now that we’re here.”
“Those words reminded me of how I felt performing on stage,” Haven said. “Even though the song is called Journey to the Past, it’s really about dreaming about your future and finding where you belong. That just felt right to me.”
The stage has felt like home for nearly her entire life.
Haven made her theatrical debut at just five years old as Jaq in Cinderella with NTPA. Since then, she has appeared in more than 25 productions with organizations including NTPA, Firehouse Theatre Jr., ACT in Lewisville, Dallas Young Artists, and her middle school. This summer, she’ll step into one of her dream roles as Miss Honey in Matilda with NTPA.
When she isn’t rehearsing, Haven stays busy reading fiction, spending time with friends and family, hanging out with her two cats, Angel and Batman, playing video games, and continuing her musical education.
She has played piano since age five and is also a member of her school’s Honor Winds percussion program, where she performs on everything from marimba and timpani to snare drum and crash cymbals. One of her most memorable performances even required playing…a vacuum cleaner.
“I even ‘played’ the vacuum cleaner in a song called Dust Bunnies,” she laughed.
Her love of music doesn’t stop there. After saving her own money this summer, Haven purchased a drum kit and has started learning Beatles songs alongside her dad.
Like many performers, Haven admits she felt nervous before her Wildflower! audition.
“The judges and everyone helping out were really nice and made it a good experience,” she said. “I honestly wasn’t expecting to make finals, so that was an amazing surprise.”
Standing on the Eisemann Center stage for the championship round became a moment she’ll never forget.
“I loved hearing so many talented singers. Everyone was incredible. Having my friends and family there supporting me made it one of the best days of my life.”
Looking ahead, Haven’s dreams stretch all the way to Broadway.
She hopes to study musical theater in college while also considering a degree in Music Therapy, combining her love of performing with her passion for helping others.
“I love helping people and talking through their problems,” she said. “Maybe I can combine the things I love in that way.”
For young vocalists considering auditioning for the 2027 Wildflower! Budding Talent Vocal Competition, Haven offers simple but meaningful advice:
“Don’t worry about sounding perfect. Just sing your heart out and enjoy yourself.”
If her Wildflower! debut is any indication, audiences will be hearing Haven Proffitt’s voice for many years to come.
