The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is excited to introduce the 2020 Hoosier Star judges.
Victoria Garrett is currently the Artist-in-Residence and Associate Professor of Music at Bethel University in Mishawaka, IN, and has been a faculty member there for over 20 years. She made her New York solo debut at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall while a student in graduate school. She has appeared with the San Francisco Opera, the New York City Opera (beside Beverly Sills in many productions) and other companies around the United States. Many of Garrett’s students are currently appearing in opera houses and musical theatres across the United States and Europe.
Superintendent Dewitt L. Jackson Sr. is the Pastor and Founder of the Revival Center Church of God in Christ, in Michigan City, Indiana. He attended Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana, where he studied Business Management. He is currently serving under the leadership of Bishop B.A. Sanders, prelate of Indiana 2nd Jurisdiction, as an Administrative Assistant. In October 2004, Pastor Jackson organized a city wide, "March and Youth Rally," against violence for the youth in the community. Also, he has been involved in a prison outreach ministry. He is the host of "The Revival Center Hour" broadcast on local radio station, WEFM 95.9FM and Facebook live, every Sunday morning from 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM in Michigan City. He is the founder of the Women of Purpose & Power Mass Choir and has written a few songs including, “Jesus Is Lord” and “Help Me Lift Him Up.”
Philip Potempa is the Marketing Director at Theatre at the Center and a number of his featured stories appear in The Post-Tribune and the Chicago Tribune’s newspaper chain as well as at www.chicagotribune.com. Audiences also know Philip from his From the Farm stage cooking shows and his NWI charity performance of A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters. He is author of four published books chronicling stories, interviews, recipes and memories from his personal and professional experiences. He is an adjunct instructor in communication at both Valparaiso University and Purdue University Northwest.
EVENT DETAILS
The 2020 Hoosier Star event will take place Saturday, September 12, 7:00 PM CDT. For the first time the event will be completely live-streamed and free to view on the following sites:
Hoosier Star will also be broadcasted via AM 1420, 95.1 FM and 106.7 FM (simulcast).
Each finalist will sing a song of their choice with musicians from the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Alastair Willis. 1st place Adult and Youth Winners will receive a $1,000 prize. 2nd place Adult and Youth Winners will receive a $500 prize.
Voting will take place during the competition by going to www.lcso.net. $10 donation per vote.
The LCSO thanks V. Michael & Cherri Drayton, Duneland Media, Horizon Bank, La Porte Hospital, and NIPSCO for their generous sponsorship of this event.
More information about this event and other offerings by the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra can be found by going to www.hoosierstar.com or www.lcso.net.
About LCSO:The mission of the LCSO is to enrich the lives of people of all ages within and beyond La Porte County through the experience of excellent live orchestra performances. The LCSO is also supported by the Indiana Arts Commission, South Shore Arts, La Porte Herald-Argus, Michigan City News Dispatch, The Beacher and WIMS AM 1420, 95.1 FM, 106.7 FM, 96.7 The Eagle, and Rock 106.5. Visit us at www.lcso.net.