My new role: Stage Cuz

Here in the land of my Outer Banks familia for a week, my primary role is to help get one of my cousins to her job while her mom is traveling. This run of the mill summer job? Performing in a local music showcase alongside people three times her age. You know, pretty much exactly like scooping ice cream or busing tables, only with singing and violin playing instead.

Z's bio in the show's program calls her a "Fourteen Year Old Musical Sensation," and this is actually not hyperbole. Her parents are both music teachers, and she started playing the violin when she was four. She's been on stage her whole life, from orchestras to musical theater. And, in the "duh" category: she played the violin at both mine and my sister's weddings. Z did an instrumental "All I Want Is You" for my walk with my parents down the aisle to T, and it was fantastic. Sigh... okay, focus, focus!

My three OBX cousins are all fantastic girls, each of them smart and witty and bold and talented in their own ways. The best thing about watching Z perform is that I get to hear others react to one of my fab cousin's talents, and then reward it with wild applause and an audible gasp at the end of the show when the emcee reminds everyone that yep, she is just 14.

During Z's Thursday show, I took more photos and videos than I imagined possible. I couldn't help it... I was beaming with pride, with my cousin S2 making fun of me the whole time. What can I say? I'm a Stage Cuz. Please humor me while I now share my pride with you:

Z changes costumes in this show faster than I can blink. Talk about a life skill!

Hello drama! Z ripped one of the sleeves off this frock to give it a more modern look. I love her in one-shouldered tops and dresses with her adorable haircut. She's singing "Jesus Take the Wheel" here, and killing it.

I was beaming with Cuz Pride during this song. You want a taste? Coming right up! (Remember I'm doing this with a point-and-shoot, not a real video camera)

Lest we forget, Z does much more than simply sing. The girl rocking out with her instrument:

You've got to hear this. I have six clips from this song alone because she kept blowing my mind over and over. Here's a couple:

Guess what, new Z-fans? There's another show tonight! I will be there, camera in hand! And in the meantime, I'll be happily listening to showtunes, "Glee" favorites, and Whitney high notes coming from Z's shower...