On Feb. 25, some of the area’s best singers took the stage at the Henry Strater Theatre to compete in the second Durango Voice, a fundraiser for Manna.
Like the television show “The Voice,” competitors performed to judges who had their backs turned, spinning around only when a singer’s voice interested them.
We met with the 13 finalists from Round One and asked each the same two questions: By the time the finals come around, you will have had a month of voice coaching – what are you going to bring to the final competition? And are you nervous? Below are their responses.
Elle Caldwell
I am bringing more range. I’m bringing stronger – it’s a different technique; it’s a technique that I haven’t done on my own in the past, so it’s interesting.
Not at the moment, no, I’m not. It’s for a great cause, so that’s what it’s really about; it’s not about me. It’s about wanting to bring a good show and provide the best show possible, but it’s really about the cause.
Kayla Christensen
A whole lot of sass! It’s going to be a big song! (It’s) a song I definitely know through and through, so I’m pretty excited about it.
No – more excited, ready to get something off my chest – that’s what it feels like.
Susan Givens
A winning song, a winning performance. I’ve been singing a long time, I used to be in a band. The coaching thing was a little different for me because I’ve never had any training. So I think I’m trying to bring ... I wouldn’t say maturity, but I have a professionalism at the performance level that matches a good voice.
No, I don’t get nervous.
Gyana Bundy Gomar
I’m going to bring something authentic. I feel like everyone’s super-talented in the show, so I am just going to be myself and use my voice to try to portray emotions, and hopefully, it will be really fun for everyone to watch.
You know, I am a little nervous. I had a lot of fun in the live round. It was fun; it was nerve-wracking in that I haven’t really sung in front of people before. I’m excited and nervous. I have a lot of really wonderful friends and family who are coming to support, so that will make it a little bit easier.
Julie Hartline
Music for me is my practice of joy. This is the first time I’ve ever performed in front of really any group of people, so the first round was a totally new experience all the way around ... I feel like what I’m bringing is my joy and love of singing.
Yeah. I think that any time you share something so dear to you, there’s a little bit of nervousness there. And I think that for me especially sharing this last song, they’re equal parts nervousness and a responsibility to the song.
Sophie Maja Hughes
I’ve been in a lot of different vocal competitions and I’m finally in a place where I’m kind of like, “You know what? I kind of want to win. I think it’d be really cool to win.”
I’ve been performing for a while now: The stage fright is gone. I’m not exactly nervous: I’m excited.
Maya Johnson
Right now, I’m working on two songs. I’m feeling extremely good, I’ve learned so much from Jill Holly.
I’m more excited; I’m excited to have this experience and to have fun with it.
Delaney Kehm
Skill, my knowledge of music and my passion for it. Knowing what I’m good at and having a way to improve at it.
Yes. (In the first round) At first I wasn’t (nervous), but when I got on stage, I was like, “Oh, wow.”
Celeste Moore
I’m hoping to bring some fun ... you just want to entertain people, and you want to have fun yourself.
I think I was last time, but because I’ve done it once already, it’s no big deal.
Janet Peterson
It’s really important to me that I totally commit myself to what I’m doing, and I totally feel like I’m taking a huge risk with the song that I’m singing and the style that I’m singing. It’s really important that I give 100 percent to my performance.
Yes. Just being on the stage singing is out of my comfort zone ... (but) it’s totally fun, so much fun.
Daniel Russell
I’m trying to bring emotion and just the best of what I have, learning through coaching because i don’t have a super-high range, but I have sound that I have.
Not too bad, a little. It’s different from what I’ve done in the past, so it’s a little bit more nerve-wracking. I sing a lot in front of people, but a competition just steps it up a little bit.
CV Wells
I’m very excited: It’s good to be back in music. Over the last year, I’ve had things going on that have kept me out of music when I had just gotten back into it after a 30-year absence. This was an opportunity to give me a goal and be motivated again, and it worked. I’ve had a really good time. … I’ve been working on my voice, and I’m going to try to bring the best I can. I picked a song that I hope will connect with the audience because that’s what I’m in music for – that heart-to-heart connection.
A: Oh, always! (Laughs) … I guess I always get nervous, but I manage to pull it together. Right now, I’m just excited.
Devin Wills
I haven’t given it a lot of thought. I guess the reason I did it in the first place was to help Manna.
I’ll get nervous like a half-hour before.
If you go
What: Manna presents the finals for the Second Annual Durango Voice Fundraiser.
When: Doors open 6:30 p.m., show 7 p.m. April 1.
Where: Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave.
Tickets: $35 general admission, VIP boxes available (Call Henry Strater Theatre, 375-7160). Get your tickets at www.henrystratertheatretix.com.
