Talent Shines During Middle School 'Star Search'

If Sarah Nelson turns into the next Carrie Underwood, Briana Lowry becomes a famous violinist like Itzhak Perlman and Nolan Breysee someday follows in the musical footsteps of John Lennon, maybe they’ll be able to say it all started one April night at Perry Hall Middle School.

Sarah (who performed “Home Sweet Home”), Briana (“Theme from Canon in D”) and Nolan (“Imagine”) were among 45 students in the spotlight during Friday’s PTSA-sponsored “Star Search 2011.”

For a loud crowd of about 450 supporters, the student entertainment began with heavy-metal musicians Gabe Schaffer, Zak Kempler and Yianni Papaeracleous doing their best Megadeth impression. The night concluded nearly three hours later as Dani Ciscell put her crutches aside, clutched the microphone and sang a heartfelt rendition of the pop tune “Walking in Memphis.”

Highlights of the show also included three stirring solo dance performances—Smitha Mahesh’s Indian Classical dance, Casey Smial’s traditional Irish dance and Danielle Harnsberger’s graceful and acrobatic blend of ballet and jazz.

All participants had been selected for “Star Search” following auditions in March. “A panel of parent judges gave each act a score, and the cast was selected based on the average scores,” explained Regina Ciattei, who has co-chaired the event for five years (three with Karen Wisniewski and the last two with Lisa Garriques and Terry Koogle).

Ciattei added that the talented young group subsequently met for only one rehearsal. “Any other rehearsing they had to do on their own,” she said. “Everybody did a fabulous job. I thought they were all great.”

Sixth-grader Lucie Amrhein, who has been dancing since the age of 3, donned a pink wig  Friday night while performing a crowd-pleasing “Grease Medley” with seven other students. “It turned out really good,” she said. “In rehearsal, my wig fell off. So I’m just glad it stayed on tonight!”

The talent show was emceed by students Tori Garriques and Ally Kordon, while three Perry Hall High Schoolers—all “Star Search” alumni—served as judges. Janna Wisniewski explained that “stage presence, confidence and the audience’s reaction” were key factors in determining first-place recipients. “It was very hard to pick winners,” added fellow judge Michelle Cody. “Everyone was so amazing.”

"STAR SEARCH" FIRST-PLACE RECIPIENTS

Group 1 – Rock Band – Zak Kempler, Yianni Papaeracleous & Gabe Schaffer

Group 2 – Vocalist – Don’She Cloude

Group 3 – Vocalists – Marlee Forsyth, Christine Koogle & Rhiannon Owen

Group 4 – Instrumentalist – Baojun Sun (piano)

Group 5 – Group Dancers – Khayra Alabrash, Lucie Amrhein, Zack Huether, Lemonia Kostakis, Hannah Martin, Austin Oertel, Zach Reise & Dylan Shank

Group 6 – Vocalist – Victoria Oji

Group 7 – Instrumental/Vocalists – Snighdha Chigurupati & Lydia Harrison

Group 8 – Dancer – Danielle Harnsberger

Group 9 – Vocalist – Sarah Nelson