"I started singing as much when I was five," Lyons said. "I had a solo in choir. That's the first time I remember singing in front of like a crowd, and I think I kind of fell in love with applaud."

The 2019 Cathedral Prep grad always had his mind in the pages at school, but he admits...it wasn't necessarily schoolwork.

"I was always diving way more into a script than I was ever into my homework," Lyons said.

He honed his skills with Lifethrumusic at the YMCA Teen Center in Erie, giving him the chance to appear on Good Morning America and win a $10,000 scholarship to The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

His mentor, Corey Cook, was always there to guide him along the way.

"He was always extremely talented in multiple areas, not just singing, but being able to play guitar, being a gifted songwriter wanting to learn the ins and outs of recording music as well," Cook said.

The journey led to starring in Sing Street as a principal role.  Plus, he traveled the globe, performing on cruise ships, all leading to the big moment this past week: A principal role, and debut, on the Broadway musical Illinoise.

"Sometimes I didn't even know what to say to these people because I'm like, I can't even comprehend how I how I got here," Lyons said.

Along the way, Lyons has met some of the best in the business, but above all, he never forgets where it all started

"I owe so much to Corey Cook and his program and his kindness," Lyons said. "I just feel blessed. I feel grateful."

His mentor had a message for him:

"Always to look back," Cook said. "There's a lot of kids here in this region in Erie that needs to see that it's possible, and to make sure that you're always looking back to inspire the next one."