RSO Star Finalists
March 12, 2011
Name: James Edward Johnson
Hometown: Lincoln, IL (grew up in Rockford)
Talent: Vocal performance
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in trumpet performance from Milliken University in Decatur, IL. Audio Engineering graduate from the College of Recording Arts, San Francisco, CA.
Biggest Musical Inspiration: Luciano Pavarotti, Gino Vannelli, Joe Zawinul, Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Maynard Ferguson, Bill Chase, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis
Favorite Thing About Rockford: I have lots of friends and family here.
An Interesting Fact About Me: I played Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls; Officer Krupke/Lt. Shrank, and understudied Tony, in West Side Story. I have played the trumpet with the great Dizzy Gillespie, and have provided sound reinforcement services for The Fifth Dimension, Huey Lewis and the News, Boz Scaggs, Maria Muldaur, Helen Reddy, and the great Tony Bennett. I have a 20 month old, 135 lb, Newfoundland puppy named Jake. We rescued him last summer. I can also touch my nose with my tongue.
Audition Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MCoJjeuSYs
Name: Jordan Elise Knapick
Hometown: Machesney Park, IL
Talent: Vocal performance
Education: 7th Grader at Rockford Christian
Biggest Musical Inspiration: Versatile and skilled performers like Kristin Chenoweth, Julie Andrews, Ruthie Henshall, and Barbra Streisand
Favorite Thing About Rockford: Chicago may be bigger and faster paced but, the Rockford area also offers access to many fine arts options (through local theater groups, the Coronado, Metro Centre, dance studios, and museums) and has many great outdoor activities available.
An Interesting Fact About Me: I love to sing, dance, and perform and have been in 8 shows since Fall 2008 (with CYT, CTP/YTP and RCS) and numerous dance recitals and school performances.
Audition Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOIvdoEmIlo
Name: Jeremy Lewis
Hometown: Rockford, IL
Talent: Instrumental performance, percussion
Education: Rockford Lutheran High School and Rock Valley College. Transferring next year to an undecided music conservatory for a double major in Percussion Performance and Music Education
Biggest Musical Inspiration: My former teachers and their success have driven me to be who I am today, and who I will be tomorrow as a growing musician.
Favorite Thing About Rockford: The city of Rockford is full of opportunities, you just have to look for them.
An Interesting Fact About Me: I am a member of the Phantom Regiment's 2011 Front Ensemble.
Audition Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRcbISJm7Yw
Name: Caitlin Ludwig
Hometown: Byron, IL
Talent: Vocal performance
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration (Marketing) & Music (Vocal Performance) from Illinois Wesleyan University
Biggest Musical Inspiration: Marin Mazzie was always inspiring to me. Her voice is absolutely stunning and she's a local gal!
Favorite Thing About Rockford: Downtown! You can grab dinner at a local, delicious restaurant, hear local musicians and perhaps even catch a show either at the Coronado PAC, a comedy at Sullivan Theatre or something happening at the Metro Centre! Better yet it's all within walking distance! Downtown is great all year round but the summertime is my favorite time because of the City Market and Friday Night Flix!
Interesting Fact About Me: I've never eaten tuna and I've never been on a roller coaster!
Audition Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roff5bCPm3M
Name: Anthony Magaruh
Hometown: Roscoe, IL
Talent: instrumental performance, percussion and smiling
Education: Graduate of Hononegah High School and current student at Rock Valley College
Biggest Musical Inspiration: I guess Michael W. Smith leads the pack for me, but every style of music has something amazing to offer so to choose one is impossible.
Favorite Thing About Rockford: Running trails at Rock Cut State Park
An Interesting Fact About Me: I can ride a unicycle and am a better ping pong player than Jeremy Lewis.
Audition Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRcbISJm7Yw
Name: Tom Milone
Hometown: Corleone, Sicily
Talent: Tailoring and Singing. They call me “The Singing Tailor.”
Education: Public schools in Corleone, Sicily
Biggest Musical Inspiration: I love singing. I enjoy listening to classical music, and I have always wanted to sing with the Symphony Orchestra.
Favorite Thing About Rockford: Dealing with different people in my profession. I have met people from all walks of life.
An Interesting Fact About Me: I started my tailoring profession at a very early age in Sicily. At 19, I had my own tailor shop. I came to the United States in 1960 and worked for a men’s store. I opened my own tailor shop, Tom the Master Tailor, in Loves Park 32 years ago. In 2001, I was awarded Best Tailor in the Rockford Region by the Rockford Register Star.
Audition Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq7quR1f_WE
Name: Emily Rogers
Hometown: Rockford, IL
Talent: Vocal performance
Education: Boylan High School; will graduate in 2011
Biggest Musical Inspiration: 5 years ago I had the opportunity to perform with Kristin Chenoweth at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. In the time I spent with her I grew to learn that she is not only a terrific singer, but a fabulous actress and person. Since then she has become an inspiration to me and I will forever treasure the experience.
Favorite Thing About Rockford: Lino’s for the Best Lasagna In The Land and Beef-A-Roo’s cheese fries...need I say more?
An Interesting Fact About Me: I have a crooked pinky toe!
Audition Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c8W8ptITGg
Name: Stanley “Curly” Thompson
Hometown: Rockford, IL
Talent: Vocal performance
Education: Auburn High School
Biggest Musical Inspiration: My father William Thompson
My favorite thing about Rockford: Rockford has a great deal to offer when it comes to the arts, theater & recreational activities (golf, hockey, skating, concerts, family activities).
Interesting fact about me: I am a former member of the Phantom Regiment. I am a combat decorated veteran of Viet Nam – serving in US Marine Corp. I have been a volunteer with the Rockford Reach Out Jail Ministry for the past 20 years. Something many people do not know is that I have a twin brother - Slayton.
Audition Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOFLD7ucVyA
Name: Michael Warren
Hometown: Capron, IL
Talent: Singing and playing trumpet at church. Mark Baldin is my idol!
Education: B.S. Food Science at the University of Illinois
Biggest Musical Inspiration: My music director in high school, Bill Carroll
Favorite Thing About Rockford: Getting to see my wife sing at our church
Interesting Fact About Me: I performed as Elton John for a talent show on a cruise we went on two years ago.
Audition Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHgKUdkiOY |
