Finalists Selected for Medford’s Rising Star

Grand Finale October 18 at Chevalier Theatre

Local singer and piano player Michael Maloney is one of the finalists in the Medford’s Rising Star contest. Maloney, 18, is pictured at right with WROR’s Loren Owens, Wally Brine, and Hank Morse, after winning the radio station’s “Townie Tune” contest last year. Photo courtesy WROR.

Several talented Medford residents have made it through the first round in the Medford’s Rising Star contest and will show their stuff on stage in a special performance on October 18 at Chevalier Theatre.

In an effort to raise some money and generate some excitement in the community, the volunteer committee that organizes Medford’s annual winter extravaganza is putting on a talent competition this fall.

Dubbed Medford’s Rising Star, the contest is open only to Medford residents that have extraordinary- and likely unknown- talent. Auditions took place on September 27, and finalists from each of three different age groups have been selected to perform at the grand finale in October. A panel of experts will then select the top winner from each age group 6-12-year-olds, 13-17-year-olds, and 18+.

Organizers say “any talent that can be performed on a stage” is welcome. This includes bands, dancers, singers, jugglers, gymnasts, instrumentalists, and comedians, among others.

The winners will receive prizes and the opportunity to perform at several local events. All proceeds benefit the Community Family’s Buddy Coholan Memory Loss Center.

Hank Morse, Amy-Jayne McCabe, a senior community chorus, the Leather Spoons, Anthony Raymond Massa and other local talent will also be featured in the October 18 show. There will also be celebrity judges on hand to help select the next Medford’s Rising Star. Visit www.medfordrisingstar.com for more information, or call 781-775-2958 or 781-395-6541 to purchase tickets ($10.00/adult and $5.00/children 12 and under).

The finalists are listed below:

Group I: 6-12 years
Kevin Aliberti, 11, guitar
Nicole Avella, 12, vocal
Erica Budina, 12, piano
Frank Cervone, 9, vocal
Yachelle Cornet, 11, vocal
Arianna DiSisto, 11, vocal
Colleen Michelle Dooling, 6, vocal
Catherine Doyle, 12, vocal
Jacqueline Luongo, 12, vocal
Megan MacGilvray, 7, dance
Margaret Petrella, 12, vocal
Danielle Quinlan & Victoria DiPrizio, 12, vocal

Alternates:
Emily Serra, 10, dance
Talia Andreottola, 11, vocal
Shannon Brown, 9, dance
Mikayla Coyne & Nina Forcilatti, 11, vocal

Group II: 13-17 years
24 Hours, 15-17, band
Daniel Begin, 14, vocal
Kaleigh Bradley, 15, vocal
Kelsey Buckley, 14, vocal
Christine Deasy, 17, vocal/guitar
Nicole DeSantis, 17, vocal
Tess Diaco, 17, vocal
Katelyn DiBenedetto, 15, vocal
Shannon Froysa, 13, vocal
Yavanni Headen, 13, vocal
Laurel McGoff, 13, vocal
Kyla Middleton, 13, vocal

Alternate:
Clarisse Coughlin

Group III: 18 years and older
Michael Davis, vocal
Michael Maloney, vocal/piano
Don Walker, juggling

– InsideMedford.com