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Contestant Bios - Week 4 ( March 24th)

DON'T MISS THE DEADLINE FOR SEMI-FINALIST T-SHIRT ORDERS. 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 fourth preliminary audition at the Radisson on 03-24-05!

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 and/or Thursday April 21 and /or Thursday April 28 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.

AUDITIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2004. BE SURE TO CHECK HERE FOR NEXT YEAR'S AUDITION DATES! 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
	Larissa Rees Flint Semi-Finalist. Larissa is 15 years old from South Range, Wisconsin. She has lived in Japan and has traveled quite a bit in East Asia. She has been very involved in school and community theater, and most recently sang the Narrator in "Joseph" at Northwestern High School. She enjoys honor choir, plays flute and tenor sax. Quote from Larissa: "I play softball and volleyball. I have a 4.0 GPA and am involved in many extracurricular activities."
	Shawna Vanderberg Semi-Finalist. Shawna is 14 years old from Mora, MN. She has been involved in music since kindergarden, and in choir since 5th grade. She is involved in music theater and takes voice lessons from her choir teacher. Quote from Shawna: "Since I was young I have always loved performing. I love school. I love my family and friends, and I thank God for this opportunity."
	Brittany Lee Aultman Semi-Finalist. Brittany is 16 years old from Eveleth, MN. She began singing on stage at the age of 8. Tough times have helped her put her feelings into her singing and song writing. She has had six years of voice lessons, and has recorded two CDs. Quote from Brittany: "I've been inspired to write alot, because when you're hurt, sometimes that's when the best songs come out."
	Megan Vidas Semi-Finalist. Megan is 10 years old from Eveleth, MN. She has been singing and taking voice lessons since the age of 5. She is a well-rounded kid who plays basketball, guitar and sings and dances. Her influences include Cher and Wynonna, and her favorite styles of music are pop and country. Quote from Megan: "Singing makes me happy, and I like performing for people."
	Kyle Scherz Semi-Finalist. Kyle is 17 years old from Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. He has had 8 months of voice lessons, and sings under Michael Goodlet at Northwestern High School. He has performed in honor choirs in Los Angeles, in South Dakota, at UMD, UWS and UWEC, has medaled in solo competition in WI, and has sung Joseph in "Joseph". Quote from Kyle: "I played guitar and sang on stage in front of 3,000 people with the Grammy-winning band Jars of Clay."
	Sean Peterlin Semi-Finalist. Sean is 17 years old from Hibbing, MN. Sean's mother is a singer, and he was involved in piano lessons since the age of 10. Family issues meant he had to stop lessons for six years, but resumed them one year ago. He has performed vocal and piano solos in public to superior ratings, and also in recital, in musical theater at Hibbing High School, and in small group ensembles. Quote from Sean: "A musician is something I want to be. It is my dream."
	James Kane Semi-Finalist. James is 30 years old from Virginia, MN. He has many years of performing experience, including Disney World in Florida. He has recently taken both singing and songwriting lessons. James pastor's a church in Virginia, MN, and issued a CD this past December of his original songs and new arrangements of traditional hymns. Quote from James: "I'm just doing what I love."
	Rhonda Stevenson Semi-Finalist. Rhonda is 44 years old from Cloquet, MN. A single mom of 4 girls, she attended Cloquet High School, where she was in Madrigals and took state in voice. She then went on to teach women's voice and choir in college, and toured the east coast and midwest with her then-husband for 13 years. She has sung solo for 10 years. Quote from Rhonda: "I really enjoy singing and hope to keep doing it for many more years."
	Amy O'Brien Semi-Finalist. Amy is 13 years old from Fredenberg, MN. She has sung for years, and is a member of two Hermantown school choirs. She has performed in talent shows, churches, with the Lake Superior Youth Chorus and Lake Superior Orchestra, and also with local Christian recording artist Christina DeLoach. Quote from Amy: "I enjoy singing wherever I get the chance to."
	Katie Plaisted Semi-Finalist. Katie is 23 years old from Two Harbors, MN. She grew up in Twin Cities and Two Harbors, was a high school choir member for four years, and attended UMD and Itasca Community College as a music theater major. She likes all genres of music. Quote from Katie: "I've been in UMD Chorale and women's choirs and musicals. Now I work two jobs."
	Cassie Johnson Semi-Finalist. Cassie is 16 years old from Saginaw, MN. She has been singing from an early age, has taken voice lessons for 30 months, and has been in choir in Cloquet for 4 years. She enjoys performing in choir and vocal solos. She has written two original songs. Quote from Cassie: "I'm doing this for fun and for improving on my skills."
	Christina Lynn Peterson Semi-Finalist. Christina is 16 years old from Duluth, MN. She performed her first vocal solo at the age of 10, has taken flute lessons at UWS and voice lessons from her mother and at UMD. She has sung with Denfeld show choirs, the small group Shades of Blue, Lake Superior Youth Chorus, and various church choirs. Quote from Christina: "I am very close to my mom. I hope to one day be a professional vocalist and actress."
	Aaron Peterson Semi-Finalist. Aaron is 21 years old from Superior, Wisconsin. He grew up in Grand Rapids, MN, where he performed in community musical theater and high school choir. Then he moved to the Twin Ports. His favorite styles of music are pop and modern, and he likes the song "Crazy For This Girl".. Quote from Aaron: "I grew up in a small town."
	Dustin Erik Hagen Semi-Finalist. Dustin is 28 years old from Hermantown, MN. He grew up in Duluth, trained at UMD, then went to New York, where he attended Ameical Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC and did off-Broadway theater. He returned to Duluth with his wife and 2 boys, where he operates a dance studio. He likes 3 Doors Down and Edwin McCain. Quote from Dustin: "I have 2 strapping young boys."
	Ashley Goeres Semi-Finalist. Ashley is 17 years old from Cloquet, MN. She started singing in Sunday School, then joined choir in 5th grade at St. Paul's Lincoln Center Elementary, and later, choir at Cloquet high school. She has been in Cloquet Madrigals for two years, and performed in school and community theater. Quote from Ashley: "I've had fun performing in choir concerts and solos."
	Alicia Marie Carlson Semi-Finalist. Alicia is 13 years old from Hermantown, MN. She began performing in public in 1st grade, has gone on to win 2000 Junior Pre-Teen Minnesota, and captured 3rd prize in Pre-Teen America nationals with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." She has sung twice at MN State Fair. Quote from Alicia: "I love to travel and experience new adventures. I'm president of student council and very active."
	Brady Starr Semi-Finalist. Brady is 22 years old from Norwood Young America, Minnesota. Kudos for re-auditioning, and for being much more prepared this time. He was in the Metropolitan Boys Choir in 6th grade, and he toured with them for a year. He was in select honor choir in 7th grade, and has performed at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis twice. Quote from Brady: "I like good feeling vibed music that is unique and technically one of a kind, like Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Sublime, and the blues."
	Cami Beth Begordis Semi-Finalist. Cami is 20 years old from Esko, MN. She has sung from an early age. She was in choir all through high school, has placed first in three local talent shows, and enjoys singing karaoke. Her favorite music is R & B. Quote from Cami: "Singing is everything to me and all that makes me happy. I'm set out to make people happy and give them chills down their spines. I'm unstoppable and ready to shine."
	Christil Peterson Semi-Finalist. Christil is 21 years old from Duluth, MN. She has been singing since the age of 6. She has never had music lessons, but her family is musical. Quote from Christil: "I would sit in my room for hours and sing along with LeAnn Rimes. I am a worship leader at my church, and I help lead the worship team."
	Jordan Iverson Semi-Finalist. Jordan is 18 years old from Esko, MN. He was born and raised in Esko, and has been singing from an early age. He has been active in plays, musicals, singing and dancing. He has been in church choir, and likes Christian rock. Quote from Jordan: "I want to be in a movie some day. I love God. I sing for my church."
	Sarah Amanda Lees Semi-Finalist. Sarah is 17 years old from Hibbing, MN. She is a singer and dancer, has been in choirs for 7 years, and dance recitals for 10 years. She has appeared in numerous musicals, including Oklahoma and Blues Brothers, and also attended Chanhassen Dinner Theater Camp. Quote from Sarah: "My love for theater has enhanced my voice. I intend to continue to dance and sing."
	Sheena Rae Rowe Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Your voice makes us melt, smooth as silk, and you have a lovely high voice. You've got soul, and a unique delivery and style all your own. Excellent potential, and fairly good eye contact. However, your on-stage reactions to your memory slips and your voice breaking up high were very unprofessional. You need better posture and better preparation. Unfortunately, you were disqualified for wearing a logo on stage, which is against contest policies. All these things are correctable with more care.
	Jamie Lynn Halverson Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Powerful, big voice, and confident performance. You've got the look, and you are very talented. However, too many details were overlooked, like too much vibrato and too much pop style for country music, pitch problems when singing louder, need more eye contact, need better microphone technique, open your mouth more, and sing "without you" not "without chew". All these items are correctable.
	Pauline Patricia Rich Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Voice is unique and memorable, good vocal style and personality, good dynamics, and you've got the look. However, intonation was pitchy (also changed key centers), diction issues (due to braces?), memory problems, and you made faces when things went wrong. Great potential, but careful preparation and more experience in front of an audience will help. All these things are fixable with care and attention.
	Crystal Ann Sandberg Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Beautiful voice, strong emotional performance, very easy to work with, great attitude and you've got the look. However, too much vibrato for country music, intonation issues (also changed keys), need more dynamics, eye contact and you need to feel the beat of the music in your body language. Tremendous potential. All these things are fixable with care & attention.
	Emily Annette Modin Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Uniquely beautiful voice, very pretty tone, okay choice of song, excellent appearance and choice of dress. However, serious pitch and key center issues, lack of eye contact and confidence, too fast a tempo for the song choice, breathing in the middle of words all detract from your true potential. Remember to sing to us, not at us. And you need a radio song. All these things are fixable with care.
	Margaret Ackerson Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Very good voice, big and full sound for 14 years old. Good choice of song, and dynamics are getting there, too. Potential is clouded by a rapid vibrato that needs work to control it, and by a lack of breath control. Stage presence is weak (too much looking at the floor), and you made faces when you knew you made errors. Also, keep other noises out of the microphone. All these things are correctable.
	Kari Luz Christianson Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Beautiful, sparkly tone, very sincere and emotional performance, and nice bending of pitches to fit the style. Eye contact was okay. However, several things need attention, including intonation issues, communicating with the audience, microphone technique, misuse of glottal sounds to divide words. Don't sing notes, sing phrases. With a more powerful song and more polish, you would do very well.
	Charina Layne Dorothy Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Pretty voice, personality came across, good eye contact, intonation, and good communication with the audience. However, you were unprepared, seemed nervous, and changed songs midstream. Need more dynamic contrast and a radio song choice. All these things are fixable with care and attention.
	Cassidy Moyer Not a Semi-Finalist. Nice country style, good confidence, good emotion, memorization, and choice of song this time. Nice dynamics, nice phrases, nice light voice up high. However, some minor things, like too much singing with your eyes shut, and the need to show more emotion and feeling with your voice, face and body language. Unfortunately, you are being disqualified for using a different name this week. Is your last name Moyer or Tisdell?
	Drew Autio Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Great voice, good attitude, big, full sound, good projection.. Velvety timbre on the softer notes. However, not well prepared, and lacking confidence and eye contact. Need more experience in front of people. Lack of emotional delivery and no real connection with your audience. Memory slips and intonation issues resulted in making faces and laughter on stage. Great potential. All these things are fixable with better and more careful preparation.
	Mara Beier Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Very mature, warm sound for 17 years old, and lots of potential. However, several things detracted, including too much vibrato for rock and roll, mic technique, putting "H's" inside vowels to articulate notes, the need for a more emotional connection and to sing to us, not at us. Unfortunately, disqualified for an incomplete Registration Form from a minor entrant (no parent's signatures, which are required).
	Amanda Swanson Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Very pretty voice, beautiful sparkly timbre. Good emotional connection, memorization, diction, eye contact, confidence, choice of dress and politeness. However, pitch problems on the high notes, lack of dynamics and breath support, vowel problems, and the need for a real showstopper song detract from your full potential. All these things can be fixed with care.
	Emma Laurie Culbert Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Lots of personality and character in your voice. Nice blues feel. Attitude, charisma, emotion and eye contact come through well. However, your nervousness, lack of preparation, memory and intonation issues, limited vocal range and tension (especially up high) took away from your great potential. Perhaps a song choice that is not so high would help. All these things are correctable with care and attention.
	Victoria Edman Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Nice country style, very pretty voice, good song choice, and you've got the look. However, voice needs more dynamics, projection, and better intonation on bottom notes. Need better mic technique, eye contact, and more emotion and singing from the heart. Perhaps this song was too low for you. All these things are correctable with care and attention.
	Danica Lowry Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Beautiful tone, good confidence and eye contact, and fair job of singing from the heart with emotion and meaning. However, pitchy intonation, a fast, nervous vibrato, a need for more dynamics, and a spine that is not aligned detracted from your full potential. Your pacing of this song is way too fast, and when you do a superstar, you have a lot to live up to. it's not enough to have skill; you have to connect with the audience. All these things are fixable.
	Nicole Kaye Chiles Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Great natural talent, beautiful tone, good emotion, intonation and eye contact. However, when you sing a classic like Unchained Melody, you have a lot to live up to. Your version was strange, and omitted the highest and lowest notes of the original, so it was disappointing. When you sing a classic, we expect that version or better. Perhaps a better song choice would help. Great potential with the right song.
	Rachel Hannah Swanson Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Sweet and warm voice, good country style, choice of song, and singing from the heart. However, intonation issues (especially on the low notes), lack of stage presence and eye contact, and style of dress take away from your true potential. Good performance, but we are looking for a great performance. All these issues are fixable with care and effort.
	Jennifer Ann Schnortz Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Great attitude and great country style, very pretty voice. Good intonation, eye contact, emotional intensity, and nice choice of dress. However, you need more stage presence, need to show your emotions in your body language, and need better microphone technique. All these things are correctable with care and attention.
	Sherrilee Hildreth Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to re-audition. Powerful voice, good dynamics & style, good choice of song, and fairly confident performance. However, your intonation is very pitchy, and you need more attention to breath control, microphone technique, singing to the ends of the phrases, and singing in your upper register without straining. All these things are correctable with care and attention.