Eighth-grader Caitlin Chisham is not your average 14-year-old.
She is a multi-talented musician who specializes in classical opera singing.
"My goal is to become a professional opera singer and to attend Juilliard School to study music," Chisham said. "If that doesn't work out, I would like to be a professional oboist."
Chisham's mom introduced her to classical opera music four years ago, and she has never turned back.
When she was 12, Chisham entered her first competition, the Hal Leonard online vocal competition, where she placed third.
Chisham competed in her biggest competition last year - the New York Lyric Opera competition at the Symphony Space on Broadway, where she placed first in the junior division.
"I am most proud of this competition, because I was only 13 at the time, and it was a great opportunity to sing in New York," Chisham said.
Dan Chisham, Caitlin's father, jokingly said he's proud to have a daughter who enjoys singing but still expects her to clean up her room.
"We're blessed with both of our daughters, but it's exciting to watch Caitlin go through all of these experiences that are helping her build toward her career goals," he said.
A student in the Fatima School District, Chisham said her peers support her interests.
"Sometimes they imitate me singing, but tell me I'm a great singer," Chisham said.
Her favorite composers to sing are Purcell and Handel.
Recently, she was able to hear Joyce DiDonato, her favorite singer, on stage at the Folly Theatre in Kansas City.
Her talent has allowed her to train with stars like the legendary Marilyn Horne and Dolores Leffingwell, associate professor emeritus of music at the University of Oklahoma.
For two summers, she trained with Leffingwell, who in turn invited Marilyn Horne to be present for Chisham's next session. They worked on breathing and phrasing techniques.
In 2014, Chisham performed in her first opera as the lead singer in the debut of "Amahl & The Night Visitors" at the University of Missouri.
Her next endeavor will be competing in a four-day competition in Chicago in May, where she will sing among classical vocalists from across the Midwest.
Chisham credits her success to her singing coach, Michael Straw, of Columbia.