Two Tryon Elementary School 3rd graders, Reese Alley (eight years old) and Grace Ingham (nine), are two important characters in The Sound of Music, opening soon at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. The young ladies play the youngest members of the Von Trapp family Gretl and Marta. &bsp;

Alley has some experience under her belt, having appeared in The Hobbit, Cinderella and The Wizard of Oz in recent years. When asked how she got started in her career in the theater, she says, Mom said I wasnt shy and suggested I try it. Im really enjoying it. Its fun, but hard work. Alleys sister Rhian is in the show too shes part of the childrens chorus and Dad George is also involved. Hes a nazi and a partygoer, she explains.

Ingham plays Marta, the second youngest child, and has only been in one school play before. I was inspired by my friends doing plays and really, really like the movie Sound of Music. When asked if auditioning was difficult, Grace says, It was a little scary to audition, but after learning all the songs, it was easy.

Both girls agree that Do-Re-Mi is the hardest song to perform because everyone comes in at different times and you have to rely on someone else being on cue to get it right. Alley is not nervous at all about acting and singing on the big stage, but Grace is just a tiny bit. It can be nerve-wracking performing in front of a bunch of people, she says.

The Sound of Music runs at the Tryon Fine Arts Center, February 19 and 20 at 8 p.m., February 21 at 3 p.m., and again February 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. and February 28 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are available at the TLT workshop box office at 516 S.Trade St. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drop by, or call 828-859-2466 to reserve your seats.