This year’s Celebration of Talent contest will span quite the range in age and in variety of talents. The competition will feature 12 performers from ages 8 to 87. The contest will take place a 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin.
The competition is presented by the theater and Franklin Rotary Club. The winners of the competition are determined by the audience.
The contestants include singers, musicians, and dancers, who will display their talents on stage in a preliminary round. The audience will vote, sending five to perform again in the final round.
First through fifth place winners will be decided by a final audience vote and announced at the end of the show. The first place winner will receive $500 cash, the second place winner will receive
$300 cash, and winners in third, fourth and fifth places will each receive $100 Franklin Retail & Business Association gift certificates.
Twenty-three applicants submitted entries and audition videos for consideration to compete in the event.
The following 12 have been selected as contestants:
Ashleigh Bennett, 25, of Franklin, is an up-and-coming singer and songwriter. She has been singing since she could talk, and began learning various instruments and delving into songwriting at a young age. She has shared her music throughout the northeastern United States while on tour with RiSE of Clarks Summit University, competed in Franklin’s “Taste of Talent” competition and performs at various venues across Pennsylvania. She draws inspiration from other independent pop artists, alternative rock and folk bands, and modern piano composers. Her music has been described as beautiful, unique, versatile and relating to people of all ages. She describes her musical style as “a combination of acoustic, singer songwriter, and indie with a touch of folk and a hint of classical. And minor keys. Lots of minor keys.” Bennett will sing for the competition.
Ian Best and Rem Slater, Ian Best, 19, of Seneca, and Rem Slater, 17, of Pittsburgh, have both been involved in theatrical productions at the Barrow-Civic Theatre and other local venues. They will sing together for the competition.
Ashlynne Cornmesser, 16, is a native of Franklin. She said her parents’ decision to home school their children has provided her with an environment and opportunity to pursue her musical inclinations. In addition to singing and songwriting, she enjoys acting, sewing, knitting and jewelry making. Her recent performances include a role in “An Unplugged Christmas” at Galloway
United Methodist Church. Cornmesser has also performed at the Barkeyville Coffeehouse. She said she is endlessly supported by her family and friends. She will sing for the competition.
Tim Craver, 27, of Franklin, said he is a “a simple man from Manchester,” a town between Baltimore and Harrisburg. He has lived in Franklin for almost 10 years, graduating from Franklin High School in 2009. Craver said while most people call him “Tim” or “Sam” only his best friend is allowed to call him “Sammy.” He enjoys writing and singing, especially country. People can normally find him three nights a week out singing karaoke with his buddy. Craver will be singing in the competition.
The Dancin’ Divas are made up of Casey McVay, 29, and Hannah McCarthy, 23, both of Franklin. The duo have both worked on many dance productions in and outside of the Barrow-Civic Theatre. They are musical theater dance instructors for Barrow Theater Institute and choreographers of Off-Barrow’s “Liberty Cabaret.” In the competition, McVay and McCarthy will dance for the competition.
The Grand Ole Radio is an acoustic duo consisting of Robbie Gifford, 52, on vocals and acoustic guitar and Tom Sylvester, 56, on bass. They are both lifelong musicians from Karns City and have played together since 1998. After having played in various local bands, they decided to dedicate themselves to preserving what they feel is heart and soul of traditional country music. They
draw their inspiration from a wellspring of country royalty such as George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Vern Gosdin, Willie and Waylon, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Neil Young, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and many others. They also perform their own original songs. In the competition, they will perform traditional country music.
Will Ion, 8, of Cooperstown, attends Valley Grove Elementary and is in second grade. Interested in music from a very early age, he enjoys playing his guitar and ukulele and singing. When not
doing anything musically, people can usually find him outside playing or spending time at the Barrow-Civic Theatre, where he recently participated in the 2017 Franklin Civic Opperetta Association’s Youth Theatre production of “Wright” and was cast as an Oompa Loompa in the association’s production of Randal Dahl’s “Willy Wonka.” Ion is participating in Youth Theatre’s production of “No Strings Attached: A Pinocchio Story” and Rocky Grove High School’s production of “Shrek The Musical.” In the competition, he will sing and play the guitar.
Jordan Karg, 23, of Clarion, attended Clarion University for musical education and is continuing his education online through Berklee College of Music, majoring in music production. From there, he would like to go to Duquesne University for music performance in Guitar. He likes to spend his free time in his studio, recording, mixing, producing, and mastering. He has made appearances in productions at the Barrow-Civic Theatre, including last year’s Celebration of Talent. He also plays in a two-piece band with Joseph Lillard, who was a contestant for Taste of Talent the last four seasons. He is an avid gamer and a big fan of the outdoors. Karg will do a guitar performance in the competition.
Scott Kennedy, 30, of Franklin, loves to sing and does karaoke every week. He is a taxi driver for Going My Way Taxi Service. He has been in a few singing and talent competitions such as Franklin’s Taste of Talent and Moose Club’s Got Talent. He is a member of the Moose 83 Lodge and it’s one of the places he goes to perform. His inspirations for singing are Frank Sinatra, Reba McEntire, and his mother. Kennedy will be singing in the competition.
Liam O’Brien, 18, of Erie, will perform a solo fingerstyle guitar performance in the competition.
Lois Ann Schaeffer, 87, of Franklin, was born and raised by musical parents who fostered her talents. She performed at an early age and trained with several teachers. She attended Pennsylvania College for Women in Pittsburgh where she studied opera and sang with the Opera Company at Chautaqua. She worked at Polk Center for 35 years, enhancing lives through music. She is a more than 70-year member of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, where she continues to provide music. Schaeffer will sing in the competition.
Beth Stanish, 43, lives in Oil City with her husband, Jim, and their three daughters, Carrie, Tori and Becca. She has worked for Sandy K. Hovis Insurance Agency for the past 25 years. Her hobbies include singing in church and being a Venango County 4-H leader. She enjoys time at her family’s farm with her kids, raising their 4-H animals, and says that family is the most important thing to her. Stanish will sing for the competition.
Tickets are $15 for general admission and are available at the Barrow-Civic Theatre at 1223 Liberty Street in Franklin, by calling (814) 437-3440 or visiting barrowtheatre.com.
