The Great Hall of the Washington Pavilion was filled with talents of all kind on Sunday, June 7, 2009 for the first annual Sioux Falls Has Talent Showcase performance. There were 21 diverse acts featuring 51 performers that graced the stage of the Great Hall wowing the nearly 500 audience members. Performers ranged from 6 years old through adult. The event was hosted by Brad Heegle of Augustana College and featured a panel of live judges that included Jodi Schwan from Around Downtown, Tom Mitchell and Melissa Barclay from KELO-FM and Doc Murphy from KTWB radio who were there to select the top 3 performers to award prizes and to provide feedback to each performer. The show was produced in the style of television shows “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol” to help create a different type of atmosphere for the audience giving them more of a live studio audience experience including live video cameras and a projection screen above the stage to project the performers and judges. Some audience members had posters and signs to show support for their family and friends that were performing.

Opening the show was local band Rostrum, featuring members Phillip Squires, Jerad Erdahl and Jimmy Bloomquist, who entertained the crowd and got them energized for the exciting performances to follow.  The first act in the showcase was Elizabeth Jarding, a college student, whose powerful vocals belted out the song “Where I Stand”. Following her performance she remained on stage for the judges to comment and ask questions, as they would with each performance. Brad, the MC, was there to keep the show moving along, prompt judges for their responses and to move between each act. After Elizabeth was excused from the stage, Brad called out the next act which was the Baseball Trio, a dance trio,  featuring Kelsey Richter, Mattea Prins and Becca Lien from Brandon, SD. Up next was Kailyn Gauff, a 10 year old from Sioux Falls to strut her stuff and sing the Motown classic, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. Following Kailyn was Katie Schulte, a high school student from Sioux Falls to play the original piece she composed for the piano entitled “A New Beginning”. Rebecca Cavin, another Sioux Falls resident and powerful vocalist, was up next to sing the hit song “Chasing Pavements”. The next performance was Laura Brosius from Colton, SD, who performed the song “The Lovers of St John” playing guitar and singing vocal solo in French. Next was Chris Borchardt, a college student from Sioux Falls, who played “Getting’ On the Step” on his Soprano Saxophone accompanied by his father on piano. Next up was Skye Dearborn, a high school student from Sioux Falls, who played piano and sang the song “A Thousand Miles.” Up next was Tracy Silverberg, a recent high school graduate from Sioux Falls, using her singing and acting chops to perform the song “Take Me or Leave Me” from the Broadway musical RENT  with a small twist as an ode to Zach Efron. Closing out the first half of the showcase was Ken Young from Sioux Falls who performed the song “Proud to be an American”.

The second half was kicked off by From Day One, a rock band from Worthington, MN with their original song “If It Smells Like Chalk.” Band members include Andrew Reif, Connor Tripp, Michael Benitez, Wesley Berger and Chris Schwebach. More original music followed as Nicole Williams from Mitchell, SD sang her original song “Have You Ever?” Aloma’s Bodhran Drum Circle performed next featuring Wyatt Bordwyk, Aloma Graham, JJ Icenogh, Paula Breen, Bob Graham, Kathy Madison and Lindy Graham with fun beats and rhythms exposing the audience to “Celtic Dreams.” Moving on to a soul anthem, Jessica Wyant of Sioux Falls performed the song “Respect.” On the opposite side of the spectrum was our next performer, Reggie Gorter of Sherman, SD, to perform “Habanera” from the opera Carmen. We next moved on to a high energy dance performance to the song “Disturbia” by the Spot Light Dancers of Luverne, MN featuring young dancers Madison Dorgman, Madi Doss, Nichole Kneip, Kaitlyn Roberts, Taylor Hoogeveen, Morgan Haugen, Avery Vanroekel, Carissa Hoaman, Susan Thompson, Taylor Nelson, Brianna Johanassen, Samantha Aaneson, Alyssa Kienholz, Mace Walgrave, Madilyn Oye and Ali Skattum. Up next to perform the country hit “Nothing Better To Do” was Kayla Tingle, a high school student from Aurora, SD.  Serenading the audience next on Classical guitar with a Spanish spin to it was Eric Chap, a farmer and truck driver from Bancroft, NE who performed “A Minuet” and “Malaguena”. Following Eric was Dillan Schmidt, a 14 year old from Tea, SD to perform his rendition of the song “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. The next performance was Payton Steffenson, a  6 ½ year old dancer and gymnast who performed a routine to “The Cat in the Hat” from Seussical the Musical. The final performance to close out the showcase was Argentina Turner, a college student from Sioux Falls, who played guitar and sang her original song “Phone Love.”

Following judges response to Argentina, all performers were asked to come back out on stage for a final bow as the judges were excused to make final tabulations. Once the top 3 performers were selected, the judges returned to their seats, the performers were excused form the stage and the winners were announced and called on stage to receive their prizes. 3^rd place winner was Payton Steffenson with her “Cat in the Hat” performance. 2^nd place winner was local college student Chris Borchardt for his soprano saxophone performance of the song “Getting on the Step.” The 1^st place winner was Argentina Turner for her performance of her original song “Phone Love.”

All of the top 3 performers received a prize package that included: One of our fun “Prior Life” Bags created from a Banner that hung at the Washington Pavilion of Arts & Science as well as a Fantastic combination of prizes from some of our local business partners such as The South Dakota Symphony, The Canaries and Century Stadium Theatre. As well as some fun prizes donated by one of our co-sponsors KELO-FM such as Gift Cards to Pizza Ranch  & 10^th St Auto Wash. The First Place winner also received a Fun package from Wild Water West, a Family Membership to the Washington Pavilion and $1000 Artist Development Package from GFI Entertainment.