4th Annual

Competition

Subway, Cherry Creek Radio and the Flagship Program have joined the Missoula Cultural Council to produce the 4th annual First Night Idol contest--an entertaining karaoke competition made popular by the TV show “American Idol.”

The final round of the competition will be held in the Historic Wilma Theater at 8:30 pm on New Year's Eve as part of the First Night Missoula celebration.

Joining us this year will be the Hellgate High School Hip Hop Dance Team, and special guest Tyler Barham, First Night Idol 2008 finalist and "The Next GAC Star" Finalist from Florence, MT.

The competition is open to area High School Students. Sorry, the preliminary rounds are not open to the public, but parents and friends of the contestants are welcome. For more information or to register, contact your high school Flagship coordinator, or Sara at 532-3240.

Victoria Valentine
First Night Idol, 2009

Alex Benishek
First Night Idol, 2008

Jerilyn Valentine
First Night Idol, 2007

Katey Bramsen
Florence Carlton High School

Katelyn “Katey” Bramsen is almost 17, a Junior at Florence-Carlton High School and a consistent Honor roll student. Born and raised in Montana her passions are singing, cheerleading, modeling, art, and photography. Participating in music and choir throughout school and occasionally singing The National Anthem at high school sporting events. She would like to thank her mother who raised her and her brother by herself, her family, and friends for their support and love.

Katelynn Rennaker
Darby High School

Morissa Trunzo
Frenchtown High School

Morissa Trunzo is a 14 year old Frenchtown High School freshman, who has received several awards for song and dance, including a Gold Medal in Variety Arts Solo at the 2008 Big Sky State Games. She’s in her school’s concert choir, and was selected for the 2009 All Northwest Choral Concert in Spokane. Morissa has been a featured performer at the Missoula Stampede Rodeo Royalty Competition since 2002, and sings the National Anthem at many area sports events, including last summer’s PRCA rodeo. She studies classical voice technique with Angela Andersen; her dance coach is Heather Adams. Morissa is thrilled to be part of the 2009 First Night Idol competition, and wants to pursue a career in music and theater.

Tess Langston

Tess Langston is a senior at Hellgate high school. She loves to draw, sing, and make people laugh. She has been singing since she was very young, and she loves doing it for amusement in her spare time. This summer, she sang the lead in the Montana Lyric Opera Company’s Youth Opera. She had a blast! Tess likes all kinds of music, but currently she has a passion for singing jazz. When she graduates from high school she plans to attend the UM to pursue a four year degree in art, and go on from there to write and illustrate graphic novels, (a.k.a. Japanese Manga). She would like to thank her family for being so supportive.

Nikki Wilkins

Hey, my name is Nikki Wilkins. I’m a big sports fan and I love getting out and being active. I participate in soccer, track and previously basketball. I decided not to play basketball this year so I could try out singing. I hadn’t sung alone, on stage, in public, with a microphone, until First Night Idol. I’m usually just a “sing in the shower” type of girl but I thought this would be a good idea….turns out it was! I’m hoping to become more comfortable on stage and in the near future start “getting out there” I guess you could say. I’d like to thank my family and friends. If it weren’t for their encouragement, support and very persuasive talks that performing wasn’t so bad, I would not be here. Thank you so much, it means the world to me to be blessed with such amazing people in my life.

Jaime Curtin

Hi my name is Jaime Curtin. I am a 17 year old junior at Hellgate. I am in drama and choir. This is my first year in choir, so singing in front of people is kind of scary! I plan to attend the University of Montana Dance/Drama program after high school.

Julia Neaves

Julia is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who began playing the piano at age four. Her love of performing was born with her leading role in MCT’s production of The Sound of Music at age eight. She continues to be actively involved in music as Sentinel’s choir president. Next year, Julia hopes to pursue her dream of becoming a bilingual lawyer at Claremont McKenna College near Los Angeles, California. She is excited to be representing Sentinel for the second time and wants to dedicate her performance to her friends and family who waited out in the cold to cheer for her!

Victoria Valentine

Victoria Valentine is a Junior at Sentinel High School. She is a 4.0 student, varsity track and cross country runner and enjoys playing the harp and clarinet. Victoria represents our state as Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen with the Miss America Program. She has her own business, Victoria's Cleaning service, Fast Furious and with a smile. Victoria believes a wise women can never have enough shoes, and thus her inspiration for her song, "Red High Heels".

Samuel McCue

Samuel Askin McCue has been playing music for as long as he can remember. His first performances, however, started when he was in the eighth grade at his school talent show. Ever since then he has been playing at local venues around Missoula and certain parts of Montana. His passion for music is paramount in his interests, and loves to share it with the world. He writes, records, and performs all original material. Samuel's main philosophy about his musical career is that he wants only two things: to share his experiences, thoughts and feelings, and to relate to every person who's ear he can reach. He'll never stop trying to achieve these dreams.

Katie Griffith

Katie Griffith is a Senior at Big Sky High School. Her passions include Volleyball, Drama and of course singing!! She has been singing since she was a youngster at various functions, including last year's First Night Idol Competition and this year's AA Choir festival as one of two soloists. Katie spent three weeks last summer at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Southwestern Colorado and has developed an interest in cultural archaeology which she plans to pursue next year at an Oregon University.

Arielle Nachtigal

Arielle Nachtigal is a Senior at Big Sky High School and thrilled to return to the First Night stage where she took First Runner up two years ago for singing Defying Gravity from the popular Broadway show Wicked. She first got involved in performing with Missoula Children's Theater when she was five, and was most currently seen in Jesus Christ Superstar. She sings in Big Sky's top choir, Aeserian, and is also a member of both extracurricular choirs Bel Canto and Sky Blues. She has lettered in Drama and Choir, and will be participating in All Northwest Honors Choir, as she has been since her freshmen year. She studies voice with Dr. David Cody and can't wait for college next year-hopefully studying musical theater!

Myles Middlemas

Well as you know I am Myles. I love music and everything about music. My dream is to become a professional musician. Some of my favorite bands are, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus,Van Halen,Red Hot Chili Peppers, and of course the Rolling Stones. I have been to AA choir and All-State.
I am almost 16 years old and a sophomore at Big Sky High School. I have taken 2 years of choir. I couldn't have had more support from my friends and family. I enjoy performing for an audience and can't wait to see all of your smiling faces. Have a Great Christmas !!! I will see you on New Years Eve...