Two Teen Gwinnett Singers Stars of Tomorrow Finalists

Two teenage singers from Gwinnett County will be competing in the finals of the inaugural “Stars of Tomorrow” competition Sunday, March 11. The 10 finalists include Jenna Bass, 17, of Lilburn and Kirstyn Burkhalter, 15, of Snellville.

Other finalists are Lydia Flock, 15, of Atlanta; Nariah Francis, 17, of Atlanta; Lauren Hill, 13, of Flowery Branch; Lindsey Marcus, 15, of Dunwoody; Daniel Mata, 15, of Marietta; Krysta Nick, 14, of Peachtree City; Destini Shelton, 16, of Douglasville; and Marguerite Yearns, 13, of Sandy Springs.

Tickets for just $15 are still available but going fast for the final competition in the Egyptian Ballroom of the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Variety of Georgia.

The winner will earn a trip for four to Universal Studios in Hollywood, an audition for the Theatre of the Stars series in Atlanta, and other career opportunities. The first and second runners-up also will be rewarded.

Twenty talented teenage singers ages 13-19, who had been selected on the basis of audition videos, performed in a preliminary round of judging Jan. 8 at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta where the top 10 finalists were announced.

To purchase tickets or to learn more about the top 10 finalists, visit www.varietystarsoftomorrow.com.

“Stars of Tomorrow” is being co-chaired by Buckhead residents Carolyn Lee Wills and Mike Dangerfield, former chief barker of Variety of Georgia. The committee includes members from Atlanta, Brookhaven, Buckhead, Decatur, Duluth, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Vinings, and other communities. Michael Milsap of Lawrenceville is serving as music consultant for the competition and composing the theme song.

Stars of Tomorrow benefits Variety of Georgia initiatives across the state. 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.