Brittany Hayes of Fort Frances is among the 10 finalists who will compete to win a share of $3,000 in prize money at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition in Thunder Bay next month.
The winner also will have a chance to go on to represent Northern Ontario at the National Youth Talent Search in Toronto this fall.
A packed and enthusiastic crowd at the Coliseum in Thunder Bay was treated to an assortment of 50 performances by local young talent.
A four-judge panel had the difficult task of trimming the field to just 10.
Singers, dancers, musicians, and musical theatre made up the roster at this year’s competition, with this year’s finalists representing Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, and Dorion.
From Thunder Bay are George Blacker, Sam DiGiuseppe, Sean Fowler, Sarah Lewis, Evan Pang, Shayne Stolz, and “Surround Sound” (consisting of Lisa Pike, Melissa Cook, Megan DeRoover, and Sarah Grant).
Nicole Jones is the finalist from Dorion.
For the past five years, the competition has attracted young performers aged 13-21 to showcase their talents.
This year’s finalists will perform Sunday, Aug. 12 before a panel of local judges, including celebrities, artists, and educators.
In the junior division (aged six-12), competitors danced, sang, and performed their way through the competition.
Moriah Harvey of Nipigon took first place with her performance of “My New Philosophy” from the play, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Cyannea Benson of Red Rock took second place, performing “Popular” from the play “Wicked,” while Harmony Appell of Thunder Bay danced her way to a third-place finish.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
