Eight finalists, including two from the Grand Forks area, have been named for the 2008 Marketplace Talent Search, North Dakota's largest musical talent competition, that will name a winner Jan. 15 in the Alerus Center in Grand Forks.
More than 90 talented individuals auditioned at regional competitions around the state this fall, according to a news release from Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, Marketplace's organizing sponsors.
The announcement of finalists coincided with the release of the debut CD from last year's Talent Search winner, Grand Forks vocalist Jillian Law, who teaches music at Central Valley Schools, Buxton, N.D.
The finalists:
-- Tiffany Krinke, Scranton, N.D.: A music and communications major at Jamestown (N.D.) College, Krinke, 20, has performed at a number of weddings and sporting events. She will sing "God's Will," made popular by country music's Martina McBride.
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-- Angela Thompson, Thompson, N.D.: A lifelong performer who's been writing her own songs for 10 years, Thompson, 24, wowed judges with a rendition of her original song, "Kiss My Worries Goodbye."
-- Eldon Johnson, Fargo: A longtime country-western music enthusiast and physical therapist who serves as his church's music coordinator, Johnson, 36, will perform his original song, "Home."
-- Leah Walters, Gladstone, N.D.: Classically trained Walters, 18, has performed in vocal competitions since her early teens. She will perform Victor Herbert's "The Italian Street Song."
-- Louise Pinkerton, Grand Forks: A music instructor at UND, Pinkerton, 28, is a Metropolitan Opera regional finalist. She will perform "O Mio Babbino" by Puccini.
-- Mandy Wagner, Bismarck: A senior at Bismarck Century High School, Wagner, 18, has played the piano since third grade and composes her own music. She performed her original, "Sing."
-- Mark Jaspers, Beulah, N.D.: A youth pastor from Beulah, Jaspers, 27, recently participated in an ABC-TV music special featuring Martina McBride. He will perform pop star Billy Joel's "She's Got a Way."
-- Steve Geller, Minot: Disc jockey Geller, 59, will go from recorded to live music with a rendition of "Feeling Good," the song made famous by pop standards singer Michael Buble.
First-place winner will receive $3,000 and a recording session for a CD. It's the competition's second year.
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The Marketplace Talent Search will be held in conjunction with Marketplace for Entrepreneurs, set for Jan. 15-16 in the Alerus.
Marketplace for Entrepreneurs brings together aspiring entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, corporations, universities, foundations and community and business leaders.
Conrad and Johnson are the organizing sponsors of Marketplace.
