The bright lights, the big stage – and an even bigger smile.

Meet Gabby Tennor.

At just 10 years old, Gabby scored a role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York – playing Jesus in a production called El Niño.

She calls Maryland home but she and her mom, Barbara, are making the five-hour drive to New York City twice a week during the show’s month-long run. 

Thousands and thousands of people filled the seats on opening night, but Gabby said she didn’t get nervous.

Mom, on the other hand, shed some tears.

“You look around you, and you have a vision of how your life is going to be somehow, and we never thought opera. “We are not actors, we are not actresses. We don’t have that background, and to get to that level, I looked around and said ‘Wow, God is really good,’” Barbara said. 

The family is originally from Ghana.

The opera tells the story of the nativity, the birth of Christ.

And for this family – it is a true testament to their faith.

“I am so glad I can do something that is based on my faith because I’m Christian,” Gabby said. “Let God take you wherever you want to be. It’s not just about yourself, let others help.”

But one message they want to share is that, even at just 10 years old, there have already been a lot of rejections.

“And I’ve had Gabby cry even through her auditions because you have to memorize lines, 5 pages within 24 hours, but the determination is there. Wherever you want to be, you can be.,” Barbara said. “But believe that you have to work hard for it because life never comes easy. It’s never simple.”

Though she is a rising star on the stage, Gabby said she actually wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up. The fourth-grade straight-A student also plays piano, drums, and soccer.

And if you happen to be heading to New York, the El Niño opera runs through May 17.

BALTIMORE – Early voting in Maryland has closed, and now, we are just days away from Primary Election Day.

Even in the wet weather, some candidates stopped by polling locations on Thursday to cast some last-minute minute early votes

“The more that you come out and do it, get people do not have to everybody crowd in at the last minute on Election Day,” said Baltimore resident Jim Fendler. 

Fendler was one of hundreds of voters who cast their ballots for the 2024 Primary Presidential Election at The League for People with Disabilities — a busy polling location in East Baltimore.

“There are people that have died for us to have a right to vote,” said Baltimore resident Jackie Fitzhugh.

Fitzhugh told WJZ that voting has always been a priority for her and her family.

“I am just hoping that the children of today, the young people of today, hear this and they know how important it is to vote,” said Fitzhugh.

“Early exposure in early education will encourage them to carry on the process and not be, you know, in a silo and not understand the importance of voting,” said Baltimore resident Ronald Miles.

As of May 8, 2024, here’s a look at unofficial early voting turnout by county, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections:

• Baltimore City – 10,611
• Baltimore County – 18,137
• Anne Arundel Co. – 9,130
• Howard Co. – 7,437
• Harford Co. – 6,342
• Cecil Co. – 2,775

Voters are weighing in on a slew of statewide and local races —including a Senate and House race with a full list of contenders. 

“This is the one chance that we have to find the people that want to represent us, for our city for our state for our country,” said Fendler.

Baltimore City voters are keeping a close eye on the race for mayor and city council president, as well as councilmember seats.

“It’s not on personality it is on issues and challenges that’s going to affect our people,” said Miles.

Unregistered residents can still register to vote and can vote any voting center in the county they reside on Primary Election Day.   

“It matters. Do not say it doesn’t because it actually does. It makes a difference,” said Fitzhugh.  

Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14.

Maryland voter can still vote in-person on Primary Election Day which is on May 14.