The entire Fieldston Upper School, gathered together for the Spring Music Assembly, quietly shuffled their feet and murmured amongst themselves. On the stage, Fieldston Chorus Teacher Kathleen Hayes announced the next student soloist – Cooper Ramsey (Form IV), who, armed with her guitar, sang an original song, titled “Kayleigh.” While she sang, the audience held its breath, and when she finished, they erupted into raucous applause.
Ramsey got into music when she was only two years old, began theater and acting at seven and learned to play the guitar at eight; According to her, “It’s in her blood.” Her great-aunt was an opera singer and her mom was a musical theater major at the University of Michigan. With a smile, Ramsey said, “My mom still sings, but just for fun.”
During COVID, Ramsey’s songwriting truly kicked off. Alone in her room, she took to songwriting as an escape from the world. To Ramsey, songwriting is a way to tell her story, and she believes, “Country is the most authentic.” In country music, Ramsey looks to Garth Brooks, George Strait and Dolly Parton for inspiration, commenting, “Everyone loves Dolly!”
Ramsey entered Fieldston Lower in first grade and feels grateful for Fieldston’s encouraging environment. “I think everyone has been so supportive of [my career] because so many [Fieldston students] do so many things outside of school.” Ramsey takes advantage of Fieldston’s flexibility, as she navigates being a high school student and aspiring songwriter.
Although Ramsey loves Fieldston, she’s using it as a launching pad; on June 16, 2024, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee with her mom, her dog (Jagger, after Mick Jagger) and her cat (Romeo). Last summer, Ramsey and her family took a trip to Nashville. “I got into some huge rooms at records and played for a bunch of people in the industry,” Ramsey recalled. “They all said, ‘You gotta be down here.’” After falling in love with the city, she applied to schools in the fall of 2023 and received an acceptance from the Ensworth School. Ramsey joked, “It’s pretty much southern Fieldston.” Her family decided on the move in April. “My parents are very supportive,” said Ramsey. “They said ‘If you wanna do it, we’ll do it with you.’”
With her parents by her side, Ramsey will chase her dreams: publishing a record deal or album, charting a song on the Country charts and playing the Grand Old Opry, an iconic Nashville venue. “I was just at Morgan Wallen and I thought, there’s nothing like a concert,” said Ramsey. “That’s the dream – to play for people who want to listen.”
Cooper Ramsey’s website https://cooperramsey.com/
Spotify: Cooper Ramsey | Spotify
Apple Music: Cooper Ramsey | Apple Music
Instagram: @official.cooper.ramsey
TikTok: @official.cooper.ramsey
