After five years of practicing three hours a day Leah Slivovsky ’17 auditioned and was picked to go on tour with artist Dalton Rapattoni. Having performed at Lollapalooza, Riotfest and Summerfest, Slivovsky was well prepared to tour the country, performing for large crowds.

Slivovsky started her music career when her mother signed her up for a one-week camp at School of Rock Oak Park. From there, she joined the school where she became an All Star, meaning she was in the top 0.5 percent of students there.

“[Playing electric guitar] really struck a chord with me,” Slivovsky said. “I started playing like crazy, just hours and hours a day until it really just became a part of me.”

This past year, Rapattoni went on tour visiting different areas with School of Rock. His last stop was School of Rock in Chicago on Aug. 2. On this day, Slivovsky practiced during the day and took the opportunity to perform with him that night. During this opportunity, Slivovsky found out that Rapattoni was searching for an electric guitarist. Soon after she was asked to attend an audition for the position in Austin, Texas. After two days of the audition she was informed that she would be touring with Rapattoni.

“Making a living as a musician is my dream,” Slivovsky said. “So the fact that it’s starting so early for me is a dream come true.”

Slivovsky’s parents supported her dream of becoming a musician. Since she was young, they helped pay for lessons and her dad’s music influenced her taste in rock music. They helped her get where she needed to be so she could work towards her dream.

“We’re all surprised that this has happened so soon,” Leah’s mother Katie Slivovsky said. “But we’re not surprised it’s happened because this is what Leah has worked for since she picked the guitar in grade school.”

According to Katie, Leah’s parents saw her hard work from a young age, Katie Slivovsky said. She would wake up at 5:15 a.m. on school days to practice, followed by practicing at least two more hours after school, either on her own, with School of Rock Oak Park, or teaching other students.

“There are three things that Leah has,” Katie Slivovsky said. “It’s this determination, ambition and talent.”

Leah Slivovsky will perform in her Chicago show on Oct. 27 at the Wire in Berwin. From there, she will continue her tour. Being on this tour is a good first step into a career as a musician, according to School of Rock Oak Park music director Jennifer Malone.

“She really has all the potential in the world to do what she wants as a musician,” Melone said.