Kenda Brand

Kenda has had much experience in the music world.  As a Utica High School alumnus, she performed in Les Miserable and The Sound of Music.  She has also performed with the Licking County Players in Yours Anne, Oliver, Suessical, and Meet me in St. Louis.  At Millersport Community Theatre she performed in Godspell as well as shows in various places.  Kenda looks forward to competing in this year’s Knox Idol as it will be her first time performing at the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival.

Eric Bressi

Currently a resident of Fredericktown, Ohio, Eric Bressi aka Christ Centered Music has been involved with music his entire life. His dad managed his own business E.A.B Entertainment. As a result Eric was surrounded with many different music genres.

Eric became a Christian in 2001 where his life and music took a new direction. For 6 years he has been producing, writing and performing Christian rap music. He has performed at many different events across the country, from church events, local community festivals, and performed at the Taconic Retreat and Conference Center. Eric placed 1st at a Nazarene New York Youth talent show. Eric is currently working on his first EP and enjoys spending his free time with his wife and kids.

Jessi Clinger

Jess attends Mount Vernon High School.  She has been singing and performing since she was a small child.  This is her 4th year at the Dan Emmett Festival.  Jess has performed at the MVHS Forum Show’s and various talent shows.  She recently got a call back after performing for the MGM talent search in Columbus, Ohio.  With that performance, she has been asked to perform in Orlando, Florida.  Jess is hoping to travel to South Carolina in August to audition for American Idol.  Along with shopping, singing, and socializing, Jess works in the Mount Vernon Park program and Hiawatha Water Park.

Halle L. Gilligan

Halle has lived in Gambier since she was in the fourth grade with her parents, Lynn and Patrick and her twin sisters, Kate and Abby.  She was a Mt. Vernon cheerleader for four years and has been in the Mount Vernon choir for two years, though she has been singing for as long as she can remember.  She is currently a nanny for two wonderful kids and hopes to have a career dealing with children.  Halle looks forward to singing in this year’s contest because she loves bringing smiles to people’s faces. 

BreAyne Groom

BreAyne Groom is excited to be back at the Dan Emmett Festival for her 3rd year.  She is the daughter of Bryan and DeAnne Groom.  BreAyne is a cheerleader at East Knox High School.  BreAyne has performed in the Christmas Walk, Food for the Hungry, and Knox County Fair where she performs in her own show and sings the National Anthem.  She also sings the National Anthem at the East Knox Varsity Football and Basketball games.  BreAyne is a member of the Knox County Musicians in Action, and is an assistant with the TaVaci School of performing arts.  BreAyne also enjoys singing in her church, going to the beach and being with her friends.  After high school she plans to attend Brigham Young University and become a nurse.

Brittany Roberts

Brittany Roberts attends Mount Vernon High School.  She has three sisters, three brothers, three nephews and 2 nieces.

Brittany’s mom says that she has been “vocalizing” from her crib since she was 10 months old.  She knew that my voice was a little different than most kids her age.  As she grew up, she used to have so much fun singing in restaurant bathrooms, (she liked the echo) and for anyone who would listen.

In the past few years, she has become a huge fan of Broadway musicals.  She loves to sing songs from Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Grease, Wicked, and best of all..Rent!  Though it may seem like a far-fetched dream, she hopes to sing on Broadway one day. 

Lauren Shriver

Lauren graduated from Mount Vernon High School and is attending Capital University in Bexley, Ohio majoring in vocal performance.  She has been involved in the MVHS Varsity Choir, Chorale, Madri-Gals and Chamber Singer all directed by Marty Bell.  She also played violin in the MVHS orchestra for four years under the direction of Charles and Joyce Lawson.  During her senior year she also participated in the Collegians Chorale directed by Dr. Bob Tocheff and the Goliards Chamber Ensemble directed by Virginia Cameron at the Mount Vernon Nazarene University.  In High School she sang in the Forum Show all four years and was cast in several plays and musicals including: HONK!, Crazy for You, Once Upon a Mattress, Long Live Rock and Roll and The Wizard of Oz.  Lauren has also participated in several summer music programs including Harmony Camp at the Ohio State University, The Summer Music Institute at Baldwin-Wallace College and the National High School Music Institute at Northwestern University.  Lauren has also sung numerous other solos in the community at her church, school and the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival.  She also placed 2nd in the high school division of the Knox County Symphony Young Musicians Competition and soloed with the symphony in February 2007.  She has studied voice privately for the past 5 years with Diane Dingler.

Aunna Stambaugh

A resident of Centerburg, Ohio, Aunna has been devoted to music since the age of seven.  She has toured with local organizations including Theatre Caffette, OH Yess!, and Vaud-Villities Productions.  New York City was a highlight to her music career with numerous performances on a 3-day tour.  She has had the honor of performing the National Anthem for Wright State University, The National Day of Prayer, state and county fairs, and local sports events.  She was selected to open the game for the Dayton Dragons Minor Baseball Team at Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio on August 5th, 2007.  Aunna has also become involved in community events including Relay for Life, and Food for the Hungry.  Her drama background has been beneficial to her career as well.  Including church dramas, she has been active in her high school drama club including, You Can’t Take it With You, The Pajama Game, and Guys and Dolls.  She recently participated in the Bruce Jacklin and Company’s production of Beauty and the Beast.  Aunna plans to seek a career in the medical field along with her musical talent.  Her dream is to land a lead role in a Broadway Musical.  She also enjoys piano, sports, camping and shopping.