Singing competition semifinalists are set

Staff report

NEW CASTLE, PA.

Eleven singers from Pennsylvania and Ohio will compete in the Rocket to the Stars semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. “The cathedral is the perfect location for this type of contest,” said Wade Sutton, the show’s producer. “The stage is huge, the acoustics unbeatable and the talent phenomenal.”

Six of the semifinalists will be chosen to compete in the finals at the Fireworks Festival on July 14, where they will be joined onstage by The House Band. The three-hour final performance will be broadcast live on the Rocket to the Stars Radio Network.

The ultimate winner, chosen by text message voting, will receive $10,000 plus a year of voice and performance lessons from artist developer and producer James Meny.

Competing in Friday’s semifinals are: Jessica Saenz, Labrobe; Cassidi Udy, Grove City; Mariah Keefer, Monaca; Hunter Cook, Franklin; Megan Crager, Columbus, Ohio; Samuel Mancini, Beaver Falls; Kiersten Kelly, Imperial; Shannon Davies, New Castle; Rachael Mellor, Grove City; Dawn Savage, New Brighton; and Christian Beck, Beaver Falls. Videos of the contestants are on YouTube, keyword Rocket2Stars.

Tickets are $5 and may be purchased from the Lawrence County Tourist Promotion Agency, 229 S. Jefferson St., or online at FireworksCapitalofAmerica.com. They also will be available at the door. For information, call 724-654-8408.