2011 Rising Star Search Finalists

8PM Friday, November 18th
McIntyre Theatre, Mohawk College

Hamilton Music Award Director, Jean-Paul Gauthier also announced the finalists for the 2011 ArcelorMittal Dofasco Rising Star Search, a showcase dedicated to aspiring new musical talent as part of the 2010 Hamilton Music Awards Festival. The finalists are:

• Allotrope – Parkside/Westdale/St Mary’s/Westmount/McMaster. Allotrope is a six-piece rock group which includes of Jackson Dorie, Adam Gorka, Pat Brown, Christian Gould, James Gould and Andy Song.
• Scott Archi - Pauline Johnson Collegiate. Brantford Scott is an emerging artist on Brantford’s rap scene. He has just finished recording his first demo.
• Sarah Bothello – Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School. 2011 will be Sarah’s second performance in the Rising Star competition. Sarah released a CD in 2010 and continues to excel as a songwriter and performer.
• Alyssa Curto – University of Toronto. Alyssa is currently enrolled in her second year of a Bachelor of Music program at the University of Toronto. Alyssa is in the process of preparing for the upcoming Montreal International Music Festival in May 2012. Her accomplishments include winner Hamilton Teen Idol and winner of the Festival of Friends Talent Competition
• Finesse – Westmount Secondary School. Finesse is a quartet consisting of Julia Bobiak, Kathrin Chelekhova, Candace Walkes and Rosyln Witter. These four young ladies have performed in festivals and events around the world. All four singers are members of Westmount’s Glee Club.
• Illusion Avenue – Westdale Secondary School. This four piece rock band won the Rogers Rock and Roll Challenge. They have performed at clubs throughout Hamilton sharing the stage with Gord Lewis and Jack Pedler.
• Inner Volition – St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. Four piece rock band consisting of Brock Hewitt, Nate Manter, Alex Chiarelli, and Jake Hagey
• Jaclyn Kenyon – Waterdown High School. Jaclyn is a 14-year old singer and songwriter who has already begin collaborating with people like Mike Krompass (Natasha Beddingfield, Smashmouth) and Tom Jackson (Taylor Swift). Jaclyn has recently recorded 3 singles and is hoping to attract major label attention in the near future.
• Christina LeClair – North Park Collegiate, Brantford. Christina has already released her first single, Everyday Crazy. Rogers Centre and Canada’s Wonderland are among some of the venues where she has performed.
• MacKenzie Meyer – Ancaster High School. MacKenzie sings and is a multi-instrumentalist and has been training with vocal coach Ray Lyell for the past year.
• Brandon Pacheco – Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School. Pacheco has garnered over 600,000 hits on his various YouTube videos. He won the 2010 Hamilton Idol competition and has recently recorded a four song EP with songwriter/producer Rob Wells (Justin Bieber).
• Tyco – Pauline Johnson Collegiate, Brantford. Tyco is another young rapper from Brantford. Tyco has recorded a six-song EP and is looking to break onto the Canadian scene in 2012.

General Information

8PM Friday, November 18th
McIntyre Theatre, Mohawk College

The HMA Rising Star Search is an annual showcase dedicated to aspiring new musical talent, and takes place Friday, November 18th, during the HMA Festival. The event which is geared towards students is part of the HMA's commitment to developing new talent and ensuring Hamilton's music legacy continues well into the future.

The contest is open to students attending elementary school, secondary school, college and university. At least 50% of group members must live and attend school in or around the following communities: Hamilton, Burlington, Waterdown, Flamborough, Dundas, Ancaster, Smithville, Alberton, Glanbrook, Caledonia, Hagersville, Cayuga, Brantford, Binbrook, Stoney Creek, Six Nations Reserve, Dunnville, Port Dover, Simcoe, Waterford, Grimsby and Beamsville.

Artists or groups selected to be part of the live showcase will be scored by a panel of music industry judges. The artist or group that scores the highest will receive prizing including a recording session, photo shoot, publicity campaign courtesy of September Seventh Entertainment (producers of the Hamilton Music Awards), and more!

For more information please contact:

Jean-Paul Gauthier
September Seventh Entertainment Limited
(905) 383-4005
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