 |
2009 Rialto Idol Winners |
| |
 |
Misti Kohl is originally from Kingsport , Tennessee , but has lived in Bourbonnais for the last 10 years. She met her husband, Mark, while she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University. Together they have three children; Gianna, Calvin and Baby Georgia. Misti has performed at Six Flags Great America, on the Spirit of Chicago, and at the Music Theatre of Wichita. Today, she is a Kindergarten teacher and sings with a rhythm and blues band called “Everyday People.” They have performed at many venues raising money for the community. She also has performed as Anita in “West Side Story,” and Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” with the Kankakee Valley Theatre. She enjoys singing on the worship team at church and for weddings. Misti is really excited about this opportunity to sing at the Rialto and wants to thank Mark and his secretaries for sending her tape! |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 |
Larry Crawford is the Truancy Specialist for Joliet Public Schools District 86. He is also the Program Coordinator for BEST/ATM, an 'at promise' empowerment youth program. A native of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Larry has spent most of his professional life working with youth and families, primarily in educational settings. He volunteers at several youth program providers including the Harvey Brooks Foundation and National Hookup of Black Women. Larry has performed throughout Joliet and Will County supporting civic organizations, the American Legion and VFW. He also writes as a columnist for "Common Sense" in the local Herald News newspaper. He is actively involved at Extreme Life Ministries of Joliet and has membership in several professional organizations. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
 |
Gemini Sunshine has always had a love for music. Gemini’s father had very eclectic taste in music ranging from Rock & Roll, Folk, Soul, Jazz and R&B. Needless to say, she was introduced to many different types of music and loved every minute of it. Gemini’s true interest in pursuing a career in music happened many years later when she met her soul mate, Robert. Robert really inspired her to do something that she loves. Gemini’s love for jazz came from listening to such artists as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole to name a few. Gemini says “Jazz is a pure form of music allowing one to be free to experiment with phrasing and timing”. Jazz to her is platform to not only showcase her talent, but also to keep alive that love for music that started in many of us so many years ago. |
| |
2009 Rialto Idol Contestants |
|
Lori Anderson is a local Contemporary musician/singer/songwriter who resides in Lockport with her partner Sue and their three dogs. Her two solo CDs, You Welcomed Me and Here I Stand, reflect both the good and the bad realities of life while emphasizing the Good News that no matter where you’ve been, what you’ve said or what you’ve done, you have been welcomed. On any given Sunday, you can find Lori leading worship at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Homer Glen. In addition to her CDs, in 2007, Lori wrote and recorded the title track for BITTERBLUE, a Robert Alaniz movie filmed in Frankfort , IL . |
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Molly Batozech is 12 years old and in 7 th grade at Hufford Junior High. She plays piano and is a member of the Joliet All City Choir. Her performances include Joliet District 86 Children for Peace program, NHRA Races at Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet Autobahn, several Joliet Jackhammer’s games, Bicentennial Park ’s Concert in the Park, Joliet City Council Meeting, and two station dedications for the Plainfield Fire Department. Molly has also won several singing contests including the WCCQ National Anthem Contest, Chicago Rush National Anthem Contest, and Elwood Idol. She lives in Joliet with her parents Chris and Stephanie and has two brothers, Sam 17 and Zach 23. Molly hopes to attend Julliard one day to study voice and piano. Her greatest wish is to someday meet Idina Menzel who played Elphaba in the New York performance of Wicked. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Jessica Blakely is 12 years old, in the 7th grade and from St. Charles. She has been performing since she was 7 years old. Some of her accomplishments include singing the National Anthem at a Kane County Cougars game, winning the Kane County Talent Contest, 1st Place in the Illinois County Fair Talent Competition Junior Division, and won many community vocal competitions. She also played Josefina at The American Girl Theatre in Chicago. Jessica enjoys singing, doing musical theatre and would like to be a Christian singer or an interior designer when she grows up. In her free time, she likes to hang out with friends and cook her family breakfast. Most of all Jessica is thankful for her whole family who is so loving and supportive. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Cara Burke is a senior at Lincoln Way Central High School . She is involved with her school's Madrigal Singers, Intuition Vocal Jazz, Honors Choir Chorale, Treblemakers (acapella female group), and the spring musicals. She participates in IMEA every year- district and jazz. Outside of school, she is heavily active with Curtain Call Theatre located in New Lenox. She is currently one of two narrators in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with CCT. In her free time, she loves to write music, play the piano, and bake. "Much love to my family and friends!" |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Vince De Angelis, AKA VINNIE D. is 43 years young and is an entertainer who performs various songs by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble and Elvis Presley. He has many years of experience as singing is his one true passion. His quest is to become the next big recording artist and to be noticed. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Danny Fox of New Lenox, Illinois, spends his earthen time dreaming, writing poetry, making music, and creating art. He is proficient in guitar, harmonica, piano, vocals, and the sitar. Now currently in college, Danny is busily working on a second album. In the past he has won Lincoln-Way Central High School 's talent night four years in a row and has opened for the Beatles tribute band, American English, on several occasions. His muse and love is his beautiful girlfriend. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Josef Germaine, a graduate of Fullerton State University with a degree in music is not only an accomplished singer and vocal coach but is also a rabbi and a columnist for the Joliet Herald News. His numerous thought provoking articles have been well received by a large cross section of our local citizens. Germaine received his early education in New York, where he was a scholarship student at the Turtle Bay School of Music. While there, he attended the Manhattan school of Music for advanced studies. Shortly after, he enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam conflict. It was shortly after, that UCLA Opera recruited him as one of their artists. In spite of his operatic experience, Germaine felt more comfortable using his talent as a cantor and recitalist. His concerts include a wide variety of musical selections ranging from the classics to contemporary and Broadway favorites. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
If anyone ever asked Jessica Grycko what she wanted to be when she grew up, she emphatically answered, "A singer!" Born and raised in Lockport, IL, Jessica has been singing as long as she can remember. In high school, Jessica was given the opportunity to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with John Jacobsen's group, "America Sings." As a sophomore she was chosen out of 800 students to sing and dance atop the Macy's marquee. Jessica has been singing locally for many years. She has competed in the nation's largest country singing competition, the Colgate Country Showdown for the past 4 years. In 2008, Jessica took first place in the local round and shared the stage with American Idol's own, Bucky Covington. Jessica is still chasing her dream of singing professionally. Singing will always be a huge part of Jessica's life; it makes her who she is. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Joshua Lardi is 24 years old and from Coal City, Illinois. He is currently attending Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, studying radiation therapy. For the past 4 or 5 years, he has been playing guitar, singing, and writing music. He started musically by playing the saxophone through middle and high school, but didn’t start playing guitar until college. Musically he listens to the all the rock genres like indie, alternative, pop, and punk. In his free time, he likes to spend it with family, friends, and his girlfriend. Joshua has a younger brother and sister so he is the oldest of three. His interests include sports, movies, vacations (especially to the west coast), and of course listening, playing and writing music.
|
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
A University of Illinois and Mazon High School alum, Dwight High School science teacher Mary Pfeifer, of Gardner, started singing sixteen years ago because of a sister-in-law urging her to compete against her brother in a karaoke contest. It was the first time to take the stage but Mary has since pursued many singing opportunities, including a recent community theater production of ‘Always Patsy Cline.’ Mary, mother of two daughters and four sons, is married to her biggest fan, Don. She finds herself singing every chance she gets with the likes of her cousin Larry Nickel, Band X and some solo venues. She gives credit for her love of music to her mother, Lucille Miller Phelan, a JTHS alum, for always surrounding the family with music of many styles and artists. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Dave Ramos, a union glazier, grew up in Chicago and currently resides in Shorewood with his wife, Eileen. Together they have 5 children and 3 and 1/2 grandchildren. He is an avid bowler and says he struggles to keep his 200 average. Dave has sang with many bands over the years. His last band named 3-D, lasted 11 years, ending in 2005. He has won several contests, including singing against Adrien Zamed on Jonathon Brandmeyers radio show back in 90's. Being a "crooner" himself and his love of the old classics makes his genre' a mixture of Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr., and Michael Buble'! |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Alex Smith is a 14-year-old freshman at Dwight Township High School . Alex has been singing on stage since the age of three. Her first performance was at the Kentucky Opry in Draffenville, Kentucky. Alex has been under vocal and stage performance direction since the age of four. Her first televised competition was at the age of seven in Jasper, Indiana for the Colgate Country Showdown. She was the youngest contestant to compete in the finals. Over the past year, she has performed in numerous local and state talent competitions including the Colgate Country Showdown in Jasper, Indiana and Decatur, Illinois . She was a finalist in both competitions, taking third place in Jasper, Indiana. In addition to her singing, Alex has competed as a dancer and swimmer. She loves to travel with her family. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Caitlyn Stoeckley is a singer/song-writer out of New Lenox, Illinois . She has performing since age 7, starting out at her home church, Lincolnway Christian. Since then, she has been a contestant and state finalist for the Colgate Country Showdown three times, has appeared on Fox Chicago's Morning News Show, and has provided entertainment for numerous restaurants and events. Her proudest accomplishments include singing the National Anthem and God Bless America for races held at the Chicagoland Speedway, and most recently releasing an EP, Circles, featuring four original songs. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Wesley James Taylor is 18 years old and currently a freshman at Olivet Nazarene University . Majoring in Graphic Design and Vocal Performance, he looks forward to what the future holds. Though he comes from a family of singers, he began singing publicly just a few years ago, winning the Kankakee County Teen Idol competition in 2007. Wesley also enjoys performing on stage, and has been in 20 plays, musicals, and variety shows. He is a member of 3 choirs at Olivet, and recently started an a capella singing group. Wesley is still deciding what his future career plans are, but knows it will have something to do with graphic design and/or singing. He is truly thankful for God’s blessings in his life, as well as the unwavering support of his family and friends. Thank you! |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Millie Monroe Tran is a 24 year old Asian student from Connecticut. She is presently enrolled at the Joliet Job Corps center in Joliet, Illinois. Millie’s trade is Cement and Masonry. She can put in driveways and knock down walls. She auditioned for Fox’s American Idol at the United Center this year and was the director of the Big Bang talent and fashion show. Ms. Tran loves to spend time dancing and singing. She is respected and well liked by students at the facility. Although she is quite short for her age, a lot of soul emerges from those lungs. She loves to sing all types of music and has no preference. She believes music soothes the soul. Millie Monroe Tran is someone you should know. |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Krysten Vega is a 19 year old sophomore in college, majoring in Music Education. She has been singing since she was a child and participated in all choirs and extra curricular music programs throughout high school. She was an All-State singer in 2007 and in 2008. She attended Millikin University for her freshman year, is at Joliet Junior College now, and will be attending Illinois State University in the spring of 2010. Krysten spends her time working at the Joliet Park District, attending school full-time, and working hard to succeed in both areas. Even though she is such a busy girl, she always finds time for music. Participating in Rialto Idol will be an experience unlike anything Krysten has ever done, but she is very excited to be given this opportunity! |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Megan Waltman – Age 18 – Tinley Park, IL . Megan started performing locally after winning a variety of awards including Best Teen Singer in Los Angeles at the Best New Talent Awards at age 14. She began singing the National Anthem and giving many solo shows at a variety of venues, such as the Taste of Chicago. Megan has appeared on national television both on “ America ’s Most Talented Kids” and FOX -TV’s American Juniors, a photo from which appeared in Entertainment Weekly magazine as well. Megan is a 2009 graduate of Tinley Park ’s Andrew High School where she also earned awards for her roles in Seussical and She Loves Me and gave solo performances in the school’s annual “Variety Show”, a tribute to rock and roll. Most recently, Megan played the lead role of Gabriella in High School Musical 2, at the Star Plaza Theater, Merrillville, In. Megan will be doing an internship in Orlando with Disney in January. |
| |
|
|
|
