Akron's Serrin Joy sings at alma mater Miller South, dishes on 'American Idol' experience

Miller South's own American Idol, Serrin Joy, returned to her alma mater Thursday morning to sing and talk to students about her growing career as a performing artist.

Joy, 21, a graduate of Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts and Firestone high school, wowed the full student body with a morning performance that she kicked off by sitting down at the keyboard to play and sing Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed" and "Higher Ground." The students and a dozen of her family members jumped up from their seats and clapped to the beat to the latter, upbeat tune.

The singer, who competed on "American Idol" in 2021 and made it to the Hollywood round, talked about her experience with the reality TV show. She is Akron's first person to compete on the show.

She also talked about her studies at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York while she was building contacts in the entertainment industry by singing at open-mike events.

Joy next moved to Atlanta, where she worked for the entertainment staff at Cocoa-Cola and continued to hone her singing career by receiving mentoring from singer-songwriter Ne-Yo.

"He's one of my favorite songwriters," said Joy, who got to sit in with Ne-Yo as he was doing songwriting and recording in his studio and also sang some background on songs.

Serrin Joy's move to Hollywood

In February, Joy moved to Hollywood after being signed by A&R Productions with singer-songwriter-producers Rick Broomfield, Remo the Hitmaker and Avery Segars. Their job as an "artist repertoire" label is to identify young talent such as Joy and get her signed with a major record label. Among their credits, Broomfield has worked with Alicia Keys and H.E.R.

Joy, who grew up in a musical family in Akron and started playing the piano at age 2, sings trapsoul (rhythmic singing) and R&B and is a songwriter. Her first solo album will debut this year.

"I started in the exact seats you're sitting in right here, right now," Joy told the students in the school auditorium Thursday. "You can do anything that you put your mind to, as long as you believe it and as long as you work toward it, and I want you guys to really feel that."

Performing with a three-piece band comprised of Akron friends Richard Orr II (drums), Marquis Brown (keyboard) and Jeremiah Moore (electric guitar), Joy next launched into Beyonce's emotional "I Was Here."

Family members included parents Joy and Walter Scrutchings and sisters Sophia, 12; Lydia, 14; and Lynette, 17. All of the Scrutchings siblings, including brother Walter Jr., went to Miller South, where Joy was a vocal student.

The young artist, now studying at AMDA Los Angeles in West Hollywood, will receive a bachelor degree in music business and commercial music next spring. Joy, who attends college straight through the summer, came home to Akron for her sister Lynette's graduation from Akron Early College.

Older kids have special Q&A with Serrin Joy

After the morning assembly, Joy did a Q&A with seventh and eighth graders in the gym. After a student asked her how she did in "American Idol," Joy said she got three "yeses" from judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie as the first contestant in San Diego but was eliminated during Hollywood week.

"I learned about the business, I learned about being on reality TV and I got to meet a lot of cool artists," she said.

More: Akron contestant Serrin Joy learns from 'American Idol' journey she can take the pressure

Joy said she wouldn't compete on "American Idol" again. After her experience, she worked as a casting director for the show for two years, when she lived in New York and Atlanta.

"Basically, my job was to recruit different people" to audition, she said. "I learned a lot about casting and what reality shows are looking for."

Another student asked Joy how she connected with the crowd on "American Idol." Joy, who is nearsighted, confessed that she takes her glasses off so she can't see people at a distance, which helps cut back on her nerves.

"I've learned that I have to be comfortable being uncomfortable. The moment that you're uncomfortable, that's when you're doing it right," Joy said.

More: Akron 'Idol' contestant says to tune in to show

The singer shared that her favorite year at Miller South was seventh grade, which included the school dances. She also told the kids at her alma mater that she practices piano and voice every day for two to three hours.

Joy said she always knew she wanted to be a singer. But when she feels discouraged, she clears her mind and blocks everything out by painting, which is another hobby of hers.

The artist, who said she grew up in the Akron church scene, also surprised students with an impromptu rendition of "Oh Lord how Excellent," harmonizing a capella with her mother and sisters Sophia and Lydia.

The gracious Joy did a group shot with the students, posed for selfies with kids and signed autographs at her alma mater Thursday.

More: Akron 'Idol' singer shares tale of ticket to Hollywood

What's next for Serrin Joy in Los Angeles

Joy said she's in the artist development phase with A&R Productions, working on finding her niche and developing her brand as an artist.

The singer said she has great chemistry working with Broomfield, Remo the Hitmaker and Segars. They're now working on putting out a single by Serrin and a video for it.

After her album release, she plans to tour to Akron, Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles.

Her label funds her outfits for shows, her studio time and music videos. Joy herself does much of the planning.

"It's really exciting. I'm in Hollywood managing myself and booking all my own shows," said Joy, who has performed at Hollywood clubs including Lucky Strike, the Peppermint Club, Mama's Shelter and Dragonfly Hollywood.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'Idol' singer Serrin Joy visits Akron alma mater, talks about career