On February 1st, auditions closed for one of the new events to the annual YSR Festival. The judges and organizing committee have been going through the auditions and we are pleased to announce the lineup of artists that will be competing in this exciting event where we search for the best amateur talent in Yukon.

The event will be held at the Yukon Arts Centre on FEBRUARY 23, 2012 starting at 7:00pm, and hosted by Gillian Campbell and Musical Marjie!  Tickets are now on sale for this event.  If you wish to purchase tickets online, click here, or go in person to Arts Underground in the Hougen Centre or the Yukon Arts Centre Box Office.

So here are the performers! (not all performers are listed at this time)

Thalai Bayley-Solo Singer

Hi, my name is Thalia Bayley. I am 16 years old and I have lived in Whitehorse my entire life. I have always loved singing, but I never took it seriously until about five years ago when I was told that I was actually  "good". I taught myself guitar around two years ago because I wanted something to sing along with. My genre of music is mostly pop-country but I like to explore all genres. Ever since then music has been a huge part of my life. I have started writing my own music and I look forward to pursuing my music career. I am very happy to be a part of this year’s 2012 Superstar Rendezvous event and I look forward to seeing everyone!

Katelyn Bushell – Solo Singer

My name is Katelyn Bushell I was born and raised in Whitehorse Yukon, and eighteen years later I’m still here.  I developed a love for music and performing at a very young age.  I have been singing for as long as I can remember, have completed grade eight piano, and taught myself to play guitar.  I strongly believe my interest and talent began with playing piano and reciting Shania Twain’s hits at the top of my lungs as I played outside as a child.  You can expect a pop-country genre performance that I hope will leave you wanting more!  I would like to thank Nicole Wynnyk for taking me to Vancouver for auditions, Tyler Wynnyk for my beautiful new guitar and unending support, Jim Petelski for photos and recordings, and my parents for putting up with late night blasts on my electric guitar!

Josée Fortin – Glow Poi

Born in 1980, Josée Fortin is native of Quebec, but has lived in Yukon for the past three years. Passionate about dance since childhood, her musical and physical exploration brought her to discover poi five years ago. Intermediate-advanced in glow poi, she developed this ancestral martial art in depth for one year by combining it with dance. Self-taught, she also recently developed fire fans and fire poi. She practices with all kinds of music, going from pop to metal to classical. Her art is in most cases constitutes of free-style dance and not choreography. Besides it, Josée Fortin is a multidisciplinary artist in painting and writing. Josée would like to try to become professional and she is starting to dance for different kinds of show including weddings, Solstice Cabaret, and Mardi Bras.

Kathleen Limpio – Solo Singer

My name is Kathleen Limpio. I was born on February 21, 1998 in Whitehorse, Yukon. I have lived here all my life and I have been singing ever since I was 4-years-old. My godmother, Cory taught me how to sing, and also my dad had an incredible singing voice of his own. They're the reason I started singing. I've been playing piano ever since I was 7, and I've been playing guitar for 4 years now. When I was about 8 or 9, I started taking voice lessons. I took lessons up until 2011. I'm also a huge fan of volleyball!   I want to thank YSR for creating this event. Finally, talent in the Yukon will be seen. I would love to thank my mom especially, for all she's done. I've never known anyone as loving as her. I would also like to thank all of my family and friends for supporting me. I love you all!

Odessa Beatty & Galena Roots - Dance

My name is Odessa Beatty, and I was born and raised here in the Yukon. I have a great passion for dance and have been training in all sorts of styles of dance for numerous years. I have attended the Royal Winnipeg Ballet professional program for two summers and continue to expand my skills through every opportunity possible.

My name is Galena Roots. I was born and raised here in the Yukon. I attend F.H Collins secondary school. I have been dancing for 13 years and share a great passion for it. I train in many different style of dance and am an assistant teacher for younger children. I attempt to expand my knowledge through every opportunity possible.

Selina Heyligers-Hare – Solo Singer

Selina Heyligers-Hare was born and raised in the Yukon and has been passionate about music since a very early age. Having grown up in a musical family, she enjoys many musical styles from Bluegrass to Rock. Besides her beautiful singing she plays piano, guitar and clarinet.  Now at 15 she is becoming a common sight on the stages of Whitehorse. She has performed at coffee houses, ‘Yukon Women In Music’ concerts, festivals and most recently at BYTE`s `Battle of the Bands` at Frostbite.  She is excited to be chosen as one of the contestants to compete in Rendezvous’ first Superstar event!

Reanne Tarr – Solo Singer

My name is Reanne Tarr and I am a 27 year resident of the Yukon, I moved here in 1985. I first started singing at the age of 10 when I entered my first talent contest in grade 5, I competed in a singing contest at the Capital Hotel in 1990, and in 1999 I won the Karaoke contest here in Whitehorse.  I have performed in public a number of times throughout my life but I have never taken my singing to the next level.  I have many mentors in many genres but I generally gravitate to females with soulful powerful voices such as Pat Benatar, Suzi Quatro, Ann & Nancy Wilson, Stevie Nicks, Etta James, KD Lang, Jann Arden, The Indigo Girls, Annie Lennox, Melissa Etheridge and most recently Adele. I love to sing, and I would welcome the opportunity to do more. I look forward to sharing my voice through song with Whitehorse.

Augusto Carriedo – Solo Singer

I've been living in Whitehorse for ten years and loving it! Singing has been my passion since grade school.  I sing at churches, weddings, and other occasions. I love jazz, blues, gospel, & r&b music.  I would like to thank God for this opportunity. To my wife Jen, and my children Ryder, and Aven, I love you! Thanks to my parents and siblings especially to Paul & Mary for their love and support.  To my friends, thank you!  Thanks to the people from work who supported me Marilyn, Denis, Frank, Joanne, Robbyn, Shawn, Darcy, Wolfgang & Claude V. Thanks to Pat Lieuwen, Kim Beggs, Brent & Becky Law, Dave Haddock, and others who embraced me into the music community!  I want the audience to take home with them a sense of inspiration from my performance that will keep them to continue reaching for their dreams no matter who they are.

Jonathan James Steel – Hip Hop/Rap

Jonathan James Steel AKA MC TurMoiL (born January 9 1991) is a Yukon based Emcee and producer. He is known for his melodic flow and positive lyrics. He chose the name MC TurMoiL to help describe the messages that he portrays in most of his songs.  MC TurMoiL first started writing when he was twelve years old as a form of self-therapy, showing a natural talent and love for this genre, he continued to write music  for many years until he felt the confidence to start releasing his own music to the public. With such songs as Pity Is Art and Integrity MC TurMoiL shows a unique style to the genre not commonly seen.  With his upcoming album "Unpacked" to be released late summer of 2012 he hopes to soon go on tour and share his unique style with people in North America if not the world.

Maya Poirier – Solo Singer

Hello, my name is Maya Poirier.  I am 17 years old, born and raised in Whitehorse.  I have always loved singing, but learning to play guitar came in 2006 after Taylor Swift's first album release when I didn't have an iPod and needed some way to listen to her songs.  From there I started writing and playing my own.  Whitehorse has given me many opportunities to share my music with people and it is truly what I love doing the most.  I am soo excited to be a part of this Superstar event and looking forward to stepping things up a notch for my performance... See you there!

Solid Fuel – Rock Band

Solid Fuel began with a BANG with the help of "school of RAWK" teacher Graeme Peters.  For the last three years these 4 kids have been working with each-other to create a high end sound and stage show that rivals any of the pros.  Lead vocalist, Madi Dixon (13 years old), was recently featured on YTV'S "The Next Star", making it into the top slots of the Vancouver audition.  Logan Frasher (lead guitar) and Ale Peters(drums), both 16, can be seen around town playing with members of Speed Control at various pubs and gathering places.  Rounding out the band is the BASS-MAN "RAGN the VIKING" (12 years old) known for his crazy stage presence and long 80's hair.

Emily Ross – Solo Singer

Emily Ross has been playing piano since she was five and singing for as long as she can remember! She began writing her own songs at the age of 10 and now at 13, has developed a repertoire of her own music.  Writing her own songs has given her the honour of being the youngest member of Yukon Women in Music and the youngest recipient of funding from the Yukon Film and Sound Commission. 73 She has been a regular performer for the Relay for Life in Whitehorse and has appeared at the Frog Mountain Music and Riverside Festivals. After making her demo this spring, she hopes to perform more often around the Yukon.

2012 SUPERSTAR JUDGES

Janet Patterson

Anyone that has lived in Yukon for some time will know Janet’s voice from her time as a journalist and radio host on CBC Radio.  But did you know that she is also a former piano performer and teacher, a recreational dancer including highland, jazz, modern, ballet, and flamenco and a great supporter of the Arts?  We are thrilled to have Janet join us as a judge for Superstar both in her capacity as Corporate Spokesperson for Yukon Energy Corporation and as such a strong supporter of the Arts.

Dale Cooper

Originally from Montreal, Dale has been an entertainer for the past 30 years. She came to the Yukon in 1982 as a Can Can dancer for the Frantic Follies. She made this her home where she has raised her family, taught dance at several dance schools and the Music Art and Drama program at Wood St. She performed in several dance shows with Dancers with Latitude, was part of the first Link Dance presentation and has choreographed many amateur and professional shows in the Yukon. Dale has also performed as a singer/actor at the Palace Grand Theatre and Diamond Tooth Gerties in Dawson City and as leading lady at the Frantic Follies in Whitehorse.  She has a critical eye for talent but has a generous heart when it comes to evaluating performances, all great reasons as to why we asked Dale to join us tonight.

Grant Hartwick

Grant Hartwick, a graduate from University of Victoria's Theatre Ed. Program, first visited the Yukon to perform at the Palace Grand Theatre in Dawson City in 1986. After having spent several years in Dawson as a performer, he made his way into the eager clutches of the Frantic Follies in Whitehorse. A multi- talented actor, comedian, director and musician, Grant is always in demand as a performer. With

several more degrees and a masters under his belt, Grant is now in demand as a teacher as well. What better way to hone one's acting skills than to be able to entertain a classroom full of children!  Thank you so much for assisting us with this decision tonight Grant!

Roxx Hunter

Roxx Hunter is a well-versed, exciting guitar player who has played across Canada, in the US, the Middle East and in Europe, achieving critical acclaim for his skills on the guitar and bass and as a singer/ songwriter. Roxx has shared the stage with many Juno award winning musicians and has opened for Grammy nominated and Juno award winning acts. When not busy playing as a side man or doing his own festival and club shows, Roxx teaches music to students from 5 to 75 years of age. His easy going nature, sense of humor, hard work and professionalism has kept this Yukon axe-slinger in high demand.  Roxx is currently working on a solo, self-produced CD, booking tour dates, playing regular shows as a side man, singer and teaching would-be rock stars.  Aaron "Godson" Hernandez the Artic Rapper writes, "Roxx Hunter...just might be Yukon's best kept secret”, and we agree and thank Roxx so much for helping us tonight.

Keith Ellert

“Kaptain” Keith Ellert was born and raised in Calgary.  He came to the Yukon on a job offer from CKRW radio.  Planning on spending just 6 months in the Land Of The Midnight Sun, even the Kaptain was smart enough to realize that there would be no other place that could compare, and as such, has now been a Sourdough for over 13 years.  In his time with CKRW (a YSR Gold Sponsor) he has been part of the rebuild and launching of the station on the FM dial and the branding of it as The RUSH 96.1. When not on air sailing the Good Ship Mayhem from 10-2 weekdays, Kaptain Keith takes care of programming and music duties.

Thank you Yukon Energy!  Your sponsorship is going a long way to helping discover that undiscovered talent in Yukon!