Omaha native DREION returned to his hometown for the first time since he earned a 4-chair turn on NBC’s ‘The Voice.’

While he was in the Heartland, he sat down with 6 News’ Maria Cade for an exclusive interview.

Omaha native DREION, who’s competing on NBC’s ‘The Voice,’ sits down with 6 News’ Maria Cade for an exclusive interview.

“I started singing when I was four-years-old,” DREION said. “My musical journey actually started at Sunny Slope (Elementary School) singing in the talent shows.”

DREION said Morton Magnet Middle School was where he dug even deeper into his passion for music. He joined the choir.

The 2015 Northwest High School graduate said his experiences in school prepared him for where he is now: the national stage.

During his homecoming visit, DREION made special visits to both Morton Magnet Middle School and Northwest High School.

“It just shows the kind of person that he is,” said John Urbanski, Physical Education Teacher at Morton Magnet Middle School. “Such a great heart. Positive attitude took him a long way.”

He performed his music for the students and shared a little about his musical journey.

“I had a difficult time in school because of a lot of things that were going on in my environment and they essentially took me away from my mother,” DREION said.

DREION said when he was 7-years-old, he was placed into the foster care system; going between five different homes in six months.

“It’s hard to imagine I woke up that day in a familiar place and that night I went to sleep in a place that I never recognized,” he said.

DREION said during that time, he was put on a lot of medication that affected his physical and mental health. He said he remembers being bullied by the other foster children.

“I remember specifically being pushed down the stairs by the other foster youth and being kicked and beaten on at the bottom of the stairs while they flickered the lights on and off,” DREION said. “These are memories that still haunt me to this day.”

DREION said there were two things that got him through that time: “God and music.”

“I have sat in the seats that you are sitting in,” DREION said. “I’ve walked in the shoes you are walking in. I always like to give that message so that they see a little bit of themselves in me.”

Students at the rally said his words left a lasting impact on them.

“To know that he has actually been here where I am standing. He’s seen the teacher’s I’ve seen, been taught through the same teachers as me,” Seventh Grader Samaya Chavers said. “I know that I can go through the same pathway that he has. I know that I might have the same success. Knowing that he has the same mindset as me is just really motivating.”

As the country gets ready to see his next performance on ‘The Voice,’ DREION is looking toward the future.

“That’s what ‘The Voice’ is for, to expose artists,” DREION said. “It doesn’t matter if you win, it’s just to expose artists and give these artists an opportunity to display their talent in front of the world. Hopefully, the world will be able to be their playground afterwards.”

DREION also performed his ‘Made For This Tour’ at Omaha Performing Arts’ Holland Music Club while he was in town.