“Risings Stars” Perform at Chevalier Saturday
Talent Competition Organized by Jingle Bell Committee to Raise Money for Charity
Story Updated 6:05PM, Monday, October 20, 2008
Local singer and piano player Michael Maloney earned second place in his age group 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. Morse hosted the show, while Loren and Wally served as judges. Photo courtesy WROR.
An eclectic group of Medford residents ranging in age from 6 to 86 showed that “Medford got talent” during a talent competition organized by the Medford Jingle Bell Committee at the Chevalier Theatre Saturday night.
In an effort to raise some money and generate some excitement in the community, the volunteer committee that organizes Medford’s annual winter extravaganza putting on a talent competition this fall dubbed “Medford’s Rising Star.”
The contest was 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 were selected to perform at the grand finale in October. A panel of judges, including WROR’s Loren and Wally, selected the top winners from each age group 6-12-year-olds, 13-17-year-olds, and 18+.
Organizers welcomed “any talent that can be performed on a stage,” which included bands, dancers, singers, jugglers, gymnasts, instrumentalists, and comedians, among others.
The winners received 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 were also featured in the October 18 show.
The entire 3-hour performance can be viewed at 7AM, 1:30PM, and 7PM on MHS-TV Channel 15 in Medford.
The finalists are listed below, with the winners of each age group in bold:
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 (3rd place)
Arianna DiSisto, 11, vocal
Colleen Michelle Dooling, 6, vocal
Catherine Doyle, 12, vocal (2nd place)
Jacqueline Luongo, 12, vocal
Megan MacGilvray, 7, dance
Margaret Petrella, 12, vocal
Danielle Quinlan & Victoria DiPrizio, 12, tap dance (1st place)
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 (1st place)
Nicole DeSantis, 17, vocal
Tess Diaco, 17, vocal
Katelyn DiBenedetto, 15, vocal (3rd place)
Shannon Froysa, 13, vocal
Yavanni Headen, 13, vocal (2nd place)
Laurel McGoff, 13, vocal
Kyla Middleton, 13, vocal
Alternate:
Clarisse Coughlin
Group III: 18 years and older
Michael Davis and Lou Rocco, vocal/guitar (1st place)
Michael Maloney, vocal/piano/harmonica (2nd place)
Don Walker, juggling (3rd place)
– InsideMedford.com