Top 10 chosen for Suburban Chicago's Got Talent
After weeks of auditions and performances, Suburban Chicago's Got Talent is down to 10 top acts.
"The final 10 really have to bring it," said Beth Waller, cultural arts supervisor for the Schaumburg Park District and a judge for the summerlong competition.
The four judges - and fans casting votes online - narrowed the field after the Top 15 performed last week. The Top 10 finalists in alphabetical order are:
1. Amanya Amariel of Chicago, a singer
2. Aviation and the War, a band featuring Matt Buenger of Addison and Joe Christopoulos of Wood Dale
3. Laura Burke, a band featuring Laura Burke, Jason Edel, Ryan Gore, Alex Santilli and Mitch Klicki, all of Arlington Heights
4. Ryan Cooper of Schaumburg, a vocalist and guitarist
5. Meghan Foley of Villa Park, a singer, songwriter and guitarist
6. Rhea Garbis of Richmond, a singer and guitarist
7. Laura Kuper of Wheeling, a singer and pianist
8. San Star Sandberg of Geneva, a singer
9. Serendipity, a band featuring Daniella Ballarino of Mount Prospect, Haley Blomquist of Elk Grove Village, Lizzy Petitt of Arlington Heights, Anneliese Schulz of Elk Grove Village and Josie Treffy of South Elgin
10. JT Snyder of Barrington, a singer and guitarist
The Top 10 finalists will once again need to impress judges and audiences at a performance at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg. They perform again on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Taste of Arlington Heights, where the competition's two top winners will be announced.
The general public decides the Fan Favorite by viewing videos and voting online following the Aug. 2 show at dailyherald.com/entertainment/talent. The contestant with the most cumulative public votes will win the Fan Favorite prize of a Funjet Vacation for two.
The ultimate competition prize is the STARter Kit, which is a promotional package to help budding artists pursuing a performing career. It includes a performance as an opening act for a major headliner at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, promotional photo packages and more.
The summerlong talent competition, now in its fourth year, is co-sponsored by the Daily Herald, the Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg, Onesti Entertainment, AMITA Health, Rohrman Auto Group, Salone Lorrene of Palatine and the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce.