WEST SPRINGFIELD – Alexis Anamisis – the 13-year-old who made headlines after using her musical talents to raise money for Soupy for Loopy – is at it again.

In mid-May, the teen released her latest CD, “Lexi’s Love,” in an effort to support Shriners Hospitals for Children. The CD features 11 cover songs, including “Dear Future Husband” by Meghan Trainor and “Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan. The CDs are selling for $15 each, and $10 from every copy sold will go to the Shriner’s location in Springfield. With a goal of $3,000, Alexis has raised $1,500 so far.

“I wanted to raise money for those kids because I feel really bad,” said Anamisis. “I feel glad giving back and making people happy. I hope I can sell all the CDs so I have a lot of money to give back to them so the kids can get what they need.”

Shriners is a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities that provides treatments to children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip palate – regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.

Anamisis made the CD in collaboration with her mentor, Dan Kane, and with support from her vocal instructor, Susan Blanchette. They recorded the CD at Rotary Records in West Springfield.

Charity work is nothing new to the musical prodigy.

In December 2016, Anamisis recorded her first Christmas album. She made 200 copies to raise money for the non-profit Soupy for Loopy, an all-volunteer organization that seeks to fight childhood cancer of Neuroblastoma. The organization was created in honor of Laura A. Sypek, whose family also lives in West Side, after she succumbed from the cancer in sixth grade. All of the proceeds from the CD went to Soupy for Loopy.

Alexis’ mother, Michelle Anamisis, said she is proud of the leadership and compassion her daughter has shown.

“We couldn’t be happier that she’s giving back, I think nowadays people need to learn to pay it forward and always be thankful for what they have,” she said. “I think she’s setting that example for the generations to come – to give back, even if you get nothing in return.”

Alexis started singing in her school choruses in the third grade. She later attended a July summer camp operated by Dan Kane – known for his musical groups – and was selected by Kane to join his performers. Since then, she has been performing with Kane across Western Massachusetts.

Despite not having other singers in the family, Michelle said Alexis has been singing for as long as she can remember.

“She was always singing and dancing around the house when she was little,” she said. “She had one of those toy microphones in her mouth, and the sunglasses on. She was always going to ‘Hollywood,’ and would put on little shows around the house.”

The Hollywood dream still rings true today, according to Alexis.
When asked where she saw her future career going, she said she hopes to make it to Los Angeles some day.

“I do want to be famous,” she giggled.

And it seems she is well on her way.

The 13-year-old experienced a taste of stardom earlier this winter when she auditioned for the 14th season of “The Voice” – a popular American singing competition television series. But for now, she told Reminder Publications she wants to continue to focus on her CD.

Alexis practices seven days a week, her mother explained. She sees Kane on Tuesday nights and Blanchette on Wednesdays. When she’s not with her mentors, she’s singing in her room on her $1,500 studio set from the Guitar Center.

Her CD can be purchased at Little George’s Restaurant, 2648 Westfield St. in West Springfield and Petro’s Breakfast and Lunch, 351 Front St. in Chicopee.