When Shannon Merciel walked onto the legendary Carnegie Hall stage in New York City, she said, it was amazing.
"I felt a little unworthy because so many great musicians and speakers have been there before me," Merciel said. "I was overwhelmed at how important it is."
Even the first notes the Helias Catholic High School senior played tuning at dress rehearsal induced a "wow" factor.
"It's as if the hall wants you to sound good," she said.
Backstage before the Honor Performance Series orchestra performance, Merciel said she felt a giddy nervousness and feared making mistakes.