Meet the Top 10 Suburban Chicago's Got Talent contestants
Will the fourth time be the charm for Geneva singer San Star Sandberg to win Suburban Chicago's Got Talent? Or will a newcomer band like The Pack Drumline or Skyline Semblance dash the hopes of the veteran finalists who have competed before?
Everything depends on the remaining Top 10 performances. The acts will perform next at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at the Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg. Videos captured from this performance will be uploaded Monday, Aug. 1, to dailyherald.com/entertainment/talent, where fans can vote and help one act be named the Fan Favorite.
The second Top 10 performance is outdoors at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Taste of Arlington Heights. That's when the winners of both the Fan Favorite and grand prize for Suburban Chicago's Got Talent will be announced.
The Fan Favorite, determined by the most cumulative online votes, receives an entertainment package with gift cards from local restaurants, theaters and attractions valued at more than $600.
The ultimate prize is the “STARter Kit,” which includes the chance to open for a national headline act at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles and to perform at Schaumburg's Septemberfest. The prize package valued at $5,000 also includes career mentoring by Onesti Entertainment and professional video and still photo shoots of a live performance and production.
Last year's competition produced a rare tie, with Ryan Cooper of Schaumburg sharing the top prize with Arlington Heights band Burke Valley. The 2015 Fan Favorite was singer-songwriter Meghan Foley of Villa Park, and she's back again for 2016 as part of the new family band Fenced In, which features Foley's sister, Caitlin, and her Lombard cousin, Dominic Giase.
For 2016, Suburban Chicago's Got Talent is co-sponsored by the Daily Herald, Onesti Entertainment, the Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg, the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, Amita Health, Valli Produce, Salon Lorrene and Zeigler Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Schaumburg.
Brianne Cannataro
Hometown: Schaumburg
Talent: tap dance
Major challenges along the way: While we were training and preparing for the World Championships, I lost my grandmother who I was so very close to. She was my biggest fan and while she couldn't join me physically in Germany, I know she was there in spirit, cheering me on. I've also struggled through several injuries which delayed my training (broken elbow, ankle, pelvis). It has never stopped me - I am a very determined young girl!
Fenced In
Hometowns: Meghan and Caitlin Foley of Villa Park with Dominic Giase of Lombard
Talent: rock band
Major challenges along the way: School is hard. People are not always nice, especially in middle school, and the Foley sisters know that first hand. Although we were bullied in middle school, we used that experience to become better people and focus on music. Today we are more confident and caring than ever and use music to get through to people and show them that they are not alone in their experiences.
Ken Markovic
Hometown: Darien
Talent: singer-songwriter and guitarist
Major challenges along the way: There are some health issues that I struggle with. I tend to talk about them through my own music and lyrics using metaphors or symbolic messages. These challenges, though, have made me a better human ... and a better songwriter.
Rachel McPheeters
Hometown: DeKalb
Talent: singer
Major challenges along the way: Although I didn't win in 2014, I want to prove to myself, the judges and particularly Ron Onesti that I'm a risk taker who doesn't back down from an opportunity to show my versatility as a performer. I was so proud of the work that I put in to that performance particularly. It's a bit of a tough pill to swallow when your best isn't good enough. But I'm back.
Nate Mitchell
Hometown: Lombard
Talent: singer
Major challenges along the way: The biggest challenge in my life that I have overcome is accepting the fact that there is always going to be someone better than me. As soon as I accepted that, I accepted my true self for who I am.
The Pack Drumline
Hometowns: Perry Mister of Aurora, among others
Talent: percussion band
Major challenges along the way: Over the last two years we were parted with a nonprofit organization, and when the budget cuts hit last year we were forced out on our own and had to create something out of nothing. But with the passion and grace of the volunteers and instructors we were able to create a new family and new beginning.
Rhea
Hometown: Richmond
Talent: singer and guitarist
Major challenges along the way: Looking to form a band is challenging: getting others involved, assessing skill/talent, writing collaboration and managing busy schedules.
Garrett Ryan
Hometown: West Dundee
Talent: singer-songwriter
Major challenges along the way: In general, just trying to pursue music is the challenge. You never really start out where you want. And there is always that feeling that you just aren't good enough. But as cliché as it might sound, I've always believed that through hard work and dedication that everything will fall into place.
San Star Sandberg
Hometown: Geneva
Talent: singer
Major challenges along the way: Well, obviously I'm not famous yet ... and that has been a challenge.
Skyline Semblance
Hometowns: Rachel Frazier of Naperville, Adam Frazier of Naperville, Jake Frantz of Naperville, Kyle McComb of Joliet, Joia Nicholson of Glen Ellyn
Talent: acoustic/rock band
Major challenges along the way for Rachel Frazier: As an LGBTQ musician, I am constantly faced with the struggle of staying true to myself, both in my lyrics and in my appearance. I would say that I have been very blessed to be surrounded by many supportive family and friends, but there have definitely been obstacles I've had to overcome to become who I am today.
Sunday's Suburban Chicago's Got Talent judges
Ron Onesti: President and CEO of Onesti Entertainment Corporation, which runs the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles and produces outdoor concerts and festivals throughout the area.
Diana Martinez: President of Spark Creative Consulting and director of the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
Barbara Vitello: A Lisagor Award-winning writer, the Daily Herald's principal theater critic and legal affairs reporter.
Beth Waller: Cultural Arts Supervisor for the Schaumburg Park District.
Host
Rob Pileckis: The Chicago resident has hosted events like Screen Test Student Fest film festival, Summer Breeze concert series and the Schaumburg Youth Orchestra's “Presto!” holiday concerts. He's also conducted interviews onstage with celebrities such as opera star Danielle de Niese and Robert Osborne from Turner Classic Movies. For his day job, Pileckis works as production supervisor at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts.
See the Top 10
Location: Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600 or
Showtime: 7 p.m. Sunday, July 31
Tickets: $10
Upcoming show: Top 10 finalists perform and winners announced at Taste of Arlington Heights at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6
Info: