Introduction
A gentle hush fell over the room when four-year-old Claire Ryann approached the microphone—so small she could barely see over the stand. Invited to a Children’s Miracle Network charity event, her mission was simple: sing “How Far I’ll Go” from Disney’s Moana and help raise funds for young patients in need. What happened next felt anything but routine.
Claire’s performance took place at a local benefit hosted by the Children’s Miracle Network, an organization dedicated to improving healthcare for kids across North America. Despite her tender age, Claire’s voice carried every line of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s powerful ballad with surprising clarity and emotion. Viewers on TikTok quickly re-shared clips of the moment, celebrating her courage and the pure, unfiltered joy her singing evoked.
“How Far I’ll Go” was crafted by acclaimed composer Lin-Manuel Miranda for Disney’s Moana soundtrack, debuting on November 18, 2016. In the original film, sixteen-year-old Auliʻi Cravalho lends her voice to Moana’s hymn of self-discovery and resolve. Directors Ron Clements and John Musker drew deeply from Polynesian navigation lore to shape Moana’s quest, embedding themes of identity and destiny into every note.
Moana premiered November 23, 2016 to critical acclaim—boasting a 96% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes and earning dozens of award nominations for its story and songs. The song itself was shortlisted for Best Original Song at both the Golden Globe and Academy Awards, before winning a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media. In Claire’s tiny frame, we see the same spark of adventure that Disney intended: a reminder that belief in oneself isn’t measured by years, but by heart.