Danielle Mozeleski feels like she was singing before she could speak.
The first time she sang in public was in kindergarten. Each of the students was asked to perform in a talent show, and a teacher had heard Mozeleski singing so she was recommended for a solo. The Disney movie “Aladdin” had just been released, and Mozeleski opted to sing “A Whole New World.”
“She got very shy, but with the help of a fellow student, she got up there and sang,” said Emilee Foster, Mozeleski’s mother. “After that, she always loved being on stage.”
Mozeleski, who now might be better recognized as Dani Moz, is one of 32 contestants left competing on this season of NBC’s The Voice. The Bethlehem native said the experience so far has been surreal.
“They contacted me, and I never thought in my wildest dreams something like that would happen,” said Mozeleski.
At Bethlehem High School, Mozeleski was in chorus and tried out for all the school musicals. She also played saxophone in the band and took piano lessons since second grade. One year, she won the area’s Albany Idol competition, and she later placed second in the local Capital Region’s Got Talent competition in Troy.
“I wasn’t that big into sports,” said Mozeleski, who said she believes her talents come from her father’s side of the family. “Every free second I had was dedicated to music.”
When she graduated from high school, she went on to Marist College, but chose a major in communications. While there, she joined the Marist Singers ensemble group, but for the most part, music took a backseat to her education. If she did have spare time, she took the opportunity to begin writing some of her own lyrics.
“It was a good time because I was going through break-ups and new relationships,” said Mozeleski, 26.
After graduating, Mozeleski took a job in Boston and became a member of two local bands. It was also during this time that she started posting videos of both covers and original songs to YouTube. It was through her YouTube channel that scouts from “The Voice” contacted Mozeleski about being on the show.
Her first audition was in New York City in late 2012. She had a private audition and then waited months to be contacted again. During that time, she had packed her bags and moved to L.A. to pursue her music career. She was eventually contacted again, this time auditioning for an executive producer of the show.
Each time the show films, Mozeleski has had to take weeks off from her job at a public relations firm in Los Angeles.
“They have been really great with all of this. It helps that they are fans of the show,” she said
Mozeleski’s first time filming was in front of the judges for the competition, which this season include Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Usher and Shakira.
“When you step out on the stage, all their backs are turned, and you just hope they hear something in you,” said Mozeleski. “So I’m singing and singing and hoping someone turns. And luckily towards the beginning, after one of my big moments, her (Shakira’s) chair lights up and she turns around. It was just an affirmation that, ‘Oh my God, I’m on the show.’”
After being selected for Team Shakira, Mozeleski got to personally work with the artist to prepare for her first battle.
Shakira said she liked that Mozeleski already had stage experience and different techniques she uses to change her voice. Her advice was to work on taking her performances to the next level to connect with the audience. She got the same advice from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who did a brief stint on the show as a mentor in preparation for the second battle round.
“Chris Martin was so awesome,” said Mozeleski. “He told me not to get caught up in the duel, but to make my performance an experience for the audience.”
Although the second round of battles begin to air this week, Mozeleski’s performance is scheduled to air April 7. The winner of “The Voice” gets a record deal and $100,000.
Mozeleski couldn’t share how far she gets in the competition, and some has yet to be taped. Live episodes begin airing at the end of April when the top 12 contestants have been selected.
“I plan to go as far as I can go and make everyone proud back home,” she said. “Even if I don’t win it’s a great platform for exposure and I get to network with all these great people.”
Mozeleski said she has made great friends with the other contestants, and they have become like a small family after spending so much time together. Even when someone loses, they continue to stay in touch.
At some point, Mozeleski said she’d like to take everything she’s learned and put out a record.
Back home, Foster said her daughter has her own small fan club cheering her on. So far, Foster has been able to be with Mozeleski each time she’s filmed for the show.
“We’re just so proud of her and glad everything is moving in the right direction,” said Foster.
“The Voice” airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.