Young vocalist rising to the top

Just 11 years old, Kayla Lauzon of Barwick already has seen the bright lights of entertainment.
At the recent annual fall fair in Dryden, Lauzon captured the hearts of the audience at not one but two talent contests, taking first-place honours and receiving cash prizes.
In the second contest, Lauzon also received a trophy as the most promising vocalist chosen from both the junior and senior divisons.
Lauzon is not new to music, and she enjoys performing at district events when called upon. At the annual Rainy River Walleye Tournament, for instance, she was asked to sing the Canadian and U.S. national anthems before the anglers headed out on the Sunday morning.
She also has sung for at the Women’s Institute’s annual supper, the Emo hospital for sick people, the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, local churches, the Emo Fair queen talent show, and the fair talent booth.
Under voice instructor Renee Martin, Lauzon has climbed the ladder quickly and loves it immensely.
Her first-ever thrill came when Emo Coun. Gary Judson read a talent search article in the Winnipeg Free Press. Lauzon answered the advertisement on April 29, the phone call was returned, and she was invited to participate in the Song Bird Search sponsored by Manitoba Country Music Association staged Sunday, May 27.
Lauzon was tickled by with excitement, and of course nervous, but she went for it.
“Competing at this level against other contestants seemed difficult and although I did not make the grade, I did attain what I expected, there was no disappointment,” she said.
“I tried and did my best.”