For Caroline Pinkston, a music teacher at Martinez Elementary School, a recent opportunity to appear on the new Max original “Second Chance Stage,” has been a life-changing experience.
This new talent competition showcases individuals who have had to put their dreams on hold due to personal challenges. Talent judges include Taye Diggs, Heidi Gardner and Martina McBride, and contestants are offered a chance to walk away with $100,000 to make their dreams come true.
In Pinkston’s case, her aspiration to become a country music singer took a backseat when she gained custody of her younger brother when she was 23, following the loss of their mother after a losing battle with alcoholism.
The first season of the show wrapped up on Dec. 19, and although Pinkston did not complete the show as a finalist, she said the experience was unforgettable.
A lifelong love of music
“I have, since I was a little girl, dreamed of becoming a country music singer,” said Pinkston.
Her love for the craft blossomed at a young age thanks to the musical relationship she had with her mother, who played piano in church and who she would often sing alongside.
She also recalled her parents listening to lots of late 90s and early 2000s country when she was growing up.
‘Out of the clear blue sky’
Pinkston received the call that she’d been selected to be on the show around this time last year.
“I never expected that I would be getting a second chance,” Pinkston shared. “When the show called, it was out of the clear blue sky and I was very, very excited to hear from them.”
Over the past year, Pinkston said has spent time preparing for the televised opportunity.
Pinkston’s journey on the show took her to Kansas City, Mo. for filming, and a film crew even visited her hometown to capture footage of her teaching and interacting with students, both past and present.
“This show is very sweet and brings attention to some of the happier things that are going on,” she said.
Teaching students to follow their dreams
As a teacher, Pinkston has found fulfillment in sharing her love of music with her students.
She hopes that her own pursuit of her dream on “Second Chance Stage” will inspire them to keep dreaming and believe in the possibilities that life has to offer.
“It is very fulfilling as a teacher first and as a singer as well,” she said. “I just hope that, you know, [my students are] inspired…keep dreaming, and you never know what might happen.”
How to watch
“Second Chance Stage” debuted this year on Nov. 28 and its first season has eight episodes which can be streamed on Max, Hulu, Roku TV, Amazon Prime Video, Philo, YouTube and YouTube TV.
Pinkston appears in season one, episode three: “County and a Classical Twist.”
