Potential 'Stars of Tomorrow'

Six teenage singers from Gwinnett County will be competing among the 20 semi-finalists in Variety of Georgia’s Stars of Tomorrow competition Sunday, Jan. 13, at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta.

Stars of Tomorrow has expanded statewide in its second year. Semi-finalists were selected on the basis of YouTube videos they submitted. The semi-finalists will vie for 10 slots in the final show March 17 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta.

The Gwinnett semi-finalists are Amanda Shaw of Lawrenceville, Brenda Taliafeero of Lilburn, Miranda Alexander of Loganville, Kirstyn Burkhalter of Snellville, Mackenzie Milsap of Lawrenceville, and Sarah Mootz of Buford. 

Other semi-finalists are Austin French of Cordele, Bria Johnson of Marietta, Caroline Geckler of Buckhead, Ellie Duncan of Sandy Springs, Llauren Hill of Flowery Branch, Felicia Moore of Albany, Hannah French of Cordele, Haylie Shea Hatch of Gainesville, Jake Smith of Buckhead, Jenane McCulloch of Peachtree City, Julia McClure of Marietta, Meagan Sharp of LaGrange, Ruthie Evans of Smyrna, and Tagee Barnes of Decatur.

The winner of the Stars of Tomorrow singing competition will receive a check for $2,500, a professional photo shoot, a custom-made demo CD, a Hans Frabel trophy and tickets to an upcoming performance at The Fox Theatre.

The first and second runners-up each receive a professional photo shoot, a custom-made demo CD, a Frabel trophy, and tickets to an upcoming performance at The Fox.

Carolyn Wills of Buckhead is chairing this year’s Stars of Tomorrow. Mike Dangerfield of Buckhead, former chief barker of Variety of Georgia, is serving as co-chairman.

Stars of Tomorrow benefits Variety of Georgia initiatives across the state and spotlights Georgia’s promising young talent.

Tickets for the Jan. 13 competition at the Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, are $5, so families and friends can come support their favorite candidate. Tickets for the March 17 final competition at the Fox Theatre start at $20. To purchase tickets or to learn more about the contestants, visit www.varietystarsoftomorrow.com.

A nonprofit organization, Variety of Georgia works to improve the lives of children in need who may be challenged by physical and/or mental disabilities, poverty, abuse or neglect. Following the tradition of the first Variety fundraising event, a circus-themed affair held under a big top, clubs are often called "tents" and members "barkers.”

Variety of Georgia Tent 21 was formed in Atlanta in 1939. Although about 80 percent of its members come from the motion picture industry, membership is open to all who care about children.