By Mark Ambrogi
Katrien Vanderbeck is no stranger to CarmelFest has Talent.
This time Vanderbeck, 19, was selected as a semifinalist in the 18 and older division. A 2016 Carmel High School graduate, she has participated in CarmelFest Has Talent a few times before in different age categories.
“It’s a light, fun competition, and it’s a good chance to perform in front of the community,” said Vanderbeck, who will start her sophomore year studying commercial voice at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., in the fall. “And I’m a broke college kid, and money is always helpful.”
The semifinalists earn $50. Third place pays $100, second place pays $250 and the winner earns $500.
The five semifinalists in the divisions will sing one song from 3:30 to 5 p.m. July 3. The remaining three finalists in each division will compete for the title from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 4. Finalists can sing the same song as the previous day or sing a new one.
“I’m most likely going to be having an accompanist from college perform with me in the competition,” Vanderbeck said. “I usually sing country and pop. That’s my style I normally stick to. I really sing everything.”
Vanderbeck participated in CHS Ambassadors, the mixed show choir, for two years.
Robbie Schloemer, a 16-year-old Carmel resident who will be a junior at Highlands Latin School in Indianapolis this fall, had auditioned once before for CarmelFest but was selected this time for the 13-17 age division.
“It’s another opportunity for me to sing,” Schloemer said. “I love singing. My voice is a gift that God has given me, and this is another way to use that gift.”
The Semifinalists
12 and younger
- Ben Boyce, Carmel
- Abigail Poe, Noblesville
- Meg Meredith Robinson, Plymouth
- Ruby Schoette, Indianapolis
- Lauren Sciaudone, Westfield
Ages 13 to 17
- Peter Fulton, Fishers
- Breanna Jaffe, Indianapolis
- Ilene Marzke, Fishers
- Robbie Schloemer, Carmel
- Anissa Washington, Kokomo
18 and older
- Taylor Bickett, Carmel
- Grace Eckelbarger, Noblesville
- Kiara Price, Indianapolis;
- Katrien Vanderbeck, Carmel
- Jake Venable, Indianapolis