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Contestant Bios - Week 3 ( March 17th)

BE SURE TO GET YOUR ORDERS IN FOR SEMI-FINALIST T-SHIRTS. Custom Twin Ports Idol T-shirts will have the names of all our talented semi-finalists. They will be black with white lettering. On the registration form all contestants responded regarding their interest in purchasing T-shirts for themselves, their family, their friends, their fans. Don't miss out on ordering yours today, before the DEADLINE PASSES! Call (800) 248-7225 for more information.

Here are the exciting results of our third preliminary audition at the Radisson on 03-17-05!

There are two different groups of Twin Ports Idol contestants shown below:

Semi-Finalists who are scheduled to compete at Grandma's on Thursday April 14, Thursday April 21, or Thursday April 28. Time frame each night is from 6 to 9 pm (contestants will be notified of specifics as they become available).
Contestants who did not make the cut this time, but due to their scores being so close to the cutoff, are encouraged to re-audition with a new song on April 7 at the Radisson.

If you auditioned and do not see your picture here, and if you are confident you can give a better performance, your last chance to audition was April 7 at the Radisson. Entrants may re-audition up to four (4) times.

LAST R EMAINING AUDITION DATE WAS April 7. The April 7 date has been added at the Radisson due to demand. Semi-Finals will now start April 14. See policies or email us for details.

Photo	Name / Bio
	Shaunna Marie Heckman Semi-Finalist. Shaunna is 22 years old from Bayfield, WI. She has been involved with music since she was 10 years old, beginning with piano lessons, then alto sax, then singing. She has extensive experience performing, including in Spain and Paris, France and many locations in the Twin Ports. She has taught songwriting workshops for three years to the UMD Psychology Department. Quote from Shaunna: "I am seeking out full band members to sing with. I plan to pursue my musical dream."
	Jacob Lyle Rahier Semi-Finalist. Jacob is 15 years old from Effie, MN. He began performing in public at the age of 12, and he has sung at the Minnesota State Fair, county fairs, and country shows, as well as donating his talents for benefits and memorial services. He has studied voice for three years, was a Finalist in the Iron Range Idol contest, and has captured many singing awards. Quote from Jacob: "Music is the biggest part of my life. Whether singing at home, at a fundraiser, a wedding, a play, or competing, I love it all."
	Amy Jensen Semi-Finalist. Amy is 18 years old from Cloquet, MN. She has been singing and dancing since she was 5 years old. She won first place at a Mall of America dance competition, and sings the national anthem for school sporting events. She has taken singing lessons for 6 months, and wants to attend Music Tech after she graduates. Quote from Amy: "I love to sing and dance."
	Jamie Mallory Semi-Finalist. Jamie is 23 years old from Duluth, MN. She has been involved with music since an early age. She participated in music programs at Denfeld high school, with the UMD Honor Choir, as "Marty" in the Duluth Playhouse production of Grease, and in the northern MN finals of the 2004 WeFest karaoke contest. Quote from Jamie: "I am currently working on a major in Criminal Justice at University of Wisconsin Superior and am employed at Northwoods Children's Services."
	Dawn Marie Standage Semi-Finalist. Dawn is 18 years old from Moose Lake, MN. She has sung numerous solos from elementary school through high school in a wide variety of settings. She has had voice lessons for one year, and counts her high school choir director and her aunt Shirley as major influences. She presently fronts a band called "A New Dawn". Quote from Dawn: "Singing is a passion of mine. I love being out in front entertaining others."
	Emilie Gooch Semi-Finalist. Emilie is 21 years old from Duluth, MN. She has been in many choirs, including seven years of vocal ensemble in the Bemidji school system. She is a songwriter with a unique style, drawing influences from Janis Joplin and Blind Melon. She has a powerful voice, and she also plays the guitar. Quote from Emilie: "I have played at a lot of open mic nights. My songs tell a story"
	Christine Kelley Hoberg Semi-Finalist. Christine is 18 years old from Superior, WI. She has been singing since she could talk, and has had one semester of classical vocal training. She is a freshman in vocal performance in college and has won awards in state competitions. Her favorite music is indie and pop. Quote from Christine: "I hope to do musicals and record my music."
	Tanya Marie Nesseth Semi-Finalist. Tanya is 18 years old from Esko, MN. She credits her Esko High School choir director, Beth Anderson, for her vocal development. She has made it to state in voice competitions, both solo and duet, and she has sang at church and in many Broadway musicals. Quote from Tanya: "I have also sung for weddings and funerals. I like all styles of music except rap."
	Emerald Hollins Semi-Finalist. Emerald is 24 years old from Superior, WI. She grew up in Minneapolis, and moved up to Superior in 1997. She sang in high school choir for four years, received a gold medal at state competition, and attended Augsburg College for 1 year on a vocal music scholarship. Quote from Emerald: "I'm the oldest of four. My parents always encouraged my talent since a very young age."
	Christina Marlene Case Semi-Finalist. Christina is 12 years old from Superior, WI. She has been in numerous musicals since the age of five. She has sung the national anthem for local sporting events, and all her training has come from the Superior school system. Her favorite styles of music are pop and broadway classics. Quote from Christina: "I am an All American girl who loves to sing. I play piano and violin, too. I love life!"
	Alexa Larson Semi-Finalist. Alexa is 13 years old from Hermantown, MN. She has overcome many health obstacles in her life, now sings in four different school, church and community choirs, and has sung in the Lake Superior Youth Chorus. Her influences include her choir teacher, Mr. Corey Dunaiski and Mr. Dennis Velander. Quote from Alexa: "I have always dreamed about making a demo. I was really happy when I heard about your Teen Twin Ports Idol. All my friends said: 'Go for it' "
	Tanya Joy Templer Semi-Finalist. Tanya is 13 years old from Duluth, MN. She has entertained people from an early age and has overcome many difficulties, including speech therapy and the tragic death of her father. Her mother is very supportive, and her activities include music, basketball, and martial arts. Quote from Tanya: "My mom told me I could be anything I want to be if I study, work hard, and not let anyone hold me back. Singing is my passion, and it will always be."
	Sarah Lee Schmitz Semi-Finalist. Sarah is 20 years old from Duluth, MN. She has had both voice and piano lessons, performed in choir concerts, as "Cathy" in "The Last Five Years", and also in the UMD production of "Lloyd's Prayer". Quote from Sarah: "I describe my life story as 'good family, good friends, and good education.' I'm currently a third-year musical theater Bachelor of Fine Arts student at UMD."
	Rachel Eckman Semi-Finalist. Rachel is 20 years old from Superior, WI. She has sung from an early age, but didn't work on her talent until 9th grade. Her small choir at Superior High School won state awards, and she has sung at proms and open mic at school. Currently she is studying radio, television and film at UW-Oshkosh, and is also beginning to learn guitar. Quote from Rachel: "I hope to someday make a demo CD and see where it takes me."
	Jessica Stifter Semi-Finalist. Jessica is 22 years old from Minneapolis, MN. We originally thought she had turned in an unacceptable photocopy version of her registration form, but discovered the original after the first results were posted. Jessica says she has been through a lot of trying times. She has been singing, dancing and writing her own songs from an early age, and has been in school choirs and broadway shows. Quote from Jessica: "I try my best in everything I do. Even if the outcome isn't a winner, I am one, because I gave my best effort."
	Martina Mohn Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Great voice, powerful emotion, good choice of song, and you've got the look. Minor intonation problems, but the main thing is you need more confidence. Work on communication with the audience, eye contact, and microphone technique. All these things are correctable with care and attention ~ and more experience in front of people.
	Kaci Lundgren Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Powerful, natural voice, good country style, and good choice of song. Intonation pitchy at times, and need more connection with the audience. With more attention to microphone technique, eye contact (look at us) and choice of dress, more of your true potential could shine. All these things are correctable with care and attention.
	Ivan Mazurkiewicz Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Much better overall performance than week 2 audition. Kudos for trying again. Strengths include communication with the audience, eye contact, emotion, politeness, and choice of song for this audition. With more attention to polishing your microphone technique (keep all extraneous noises out of the mic), and more vocal projection and finesse, including using a variety of dynamics in your delivery, you could overcome these amateurish inconsistencies and give a much more convincing, polished, and professional performance.
	Brady Starr Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Beautiful tenor voice, talented, and very sincere, emotional performance. However, your lack of preparation was obvious. Winging it usually doesn't cut it. Serious memory and intonation problems (constantly changing keys), and dress was too casual for Twin Ports Idol. All these things are correctable with care and attention ~ and preparation beforehand.
	Anni Erickson Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Beautiful voice, and big potential. But many things detracted from your performance: Too much vibrato for country music; "notey" performance instead of singing the phrase; need more variety in dynamics, more eye contact, and more communication with the audience. With careful attention to these skills and selecting a song that better showcases your voice, you will improve a great deal.
	Cassidy Tisdell Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Nice voice and great country style. However, these things detracted from your performance: Memory problems, lack of preparation, lack of confidence, but most disappointing was your choice of song. Remember that this is a family event, and choose more appropriate material. All these things can be corrected with more care and preparation.
	Nicole Lee Kalkbrenner Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Unique style and sincere delivery of an old traditional song. You've got the style, and you've got the look. However, you should be better prepared. Memory lapse in last verse, intonation issues (changed keys in mid-sentence), lack of stage presence (too much looking at the floor), and no real communication with your audience. With care and attention you can overcome these lapses, be better prepared and more polished.
	Amy Halliday Olson Not a Semi-Finalist. Strongly encouraged to re-audition. Awesome style about you, both your vocal talent and the way you carry yourself. Very strong voice ~ you've got "ping"! However, for a few reasons your great natural talent was masked: Intonation on your low notes was poor, you need more eye contact and communication with the audience ~ sing to us, not at us. Feel the connection to your listener. You can overcome all this with careful practice and a new sense of your priorities on stage.
	Lisa Her Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Very pretty voice, strong emotional and meaningful delivery, very courteous demeanor, and fine choice of dress. However, when you perform a hit by a superstar, we expect to hear that strong of a performance (or choose a different song). In this song, when the melody crescendoed upwards and needed to be full and resonant, you flipped into your head voice, and the effect was disappointing. Either work to strengthen your high range, or lower the song. Perhaps a better song choice would help you.