Wylie business chosen to refer singers to audition
Wylie, Texas -- NBC’s The Voice selected Ballard School of the Performing Arts to pre-audition singers to attend The Voice auditions in Dallas on July 30.
Four of the biggest names in music Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera coach the country's best unknown artists on NBC’s The Voice.
The Voice is looking for solo artists and duos that perform all types of music: pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, alternative, Latin, country, blues, indie.
The Voice selects local agencies to pre-audition singers. The agencies select the top one or two singers to send on to The Voice auditions in Dallas on July 30.
“We invite area singers (15 and older) to email us your YouTube video link,” Hunter said. “Like the show says, we want to know your story and why you are ‘The Voice’.”
Email two- to three-minute pre-audition videos or links to YouTube videos to star_songs@verizon.net. Videos must be received no later than July 12. Singers must be 15-years-old by October 1, 2012 and meet all of “The Voice” eligibility rules (available at http://www.nbcthevoice.com/how-to-audition/eligibility.php).
Fifty singers will be chosen to come and sing before a panel of judges on July 14.
From the fifty pre-auditions, two more rounds will determine the one to be sent to The Voice auditions.
Eighteen singers will be invited back to perform one song on July 21 at 1 p.m. Nine of them will be invited back to sing two songs and one of the singers will be sent to The Voice auditions on July 30.
“It’s such an honor and a wonderful way to launch our artist management and development division,” owner Rob Hunter said. “We’re very excited about this opportunity!”
Ballard School of the Performing Arts is home to the Searching for a Star regional vocal competition and just concluded their sixth season.
Pre-audition details are at SearchingforaStar.org and will be posted on Facebook at facebook.com/SearchingforaStar and facebook.com/BallardSchoolofPerformingArts.
About Searching for a Star and Ballard School of Performing Arts
Searching for a Star winners have gone on to record CDs, work with celebrity artists and have started stage careers.
2011’s SFAS winner Clay Mobley is waiting to hear the results of his audition for X Factor.
2009 SFAS winner D’Moreya Woods is under influence of Usher Camp for development and began his career by winning the Searching for a Star competition.
2009 SFAS contestant Delaney Beckman is represented by the Core Talent and has performed in several film and stage productions.
2008 SFAS winner Taylor Beckham signed with Arketekt Ent./mischkemusic inc. Watch her YouTube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Wi1PhmXmU&feature=share
2008 SFAS category winner Ashley Lee is performing all over the country and released her first EP (a five- to eight-song teaser CD), County Line.
2007 SFAS winner Jonathan Pilgrim landed a promotion and Record deal with Tree Leaf Studios in Atlanta, GA. He also did a recording with Bow Wow and is a voice instructor at Baylor University. Jonathan tried out for American Idol and made it to the Top 24 in season six.
“Searching for a Star is designed to educate, build self-esteem, and strengthen the character of our youth and young adults. It’s as simple as that … it’s completely about sharpening the talent of our kids and helping to mold them into the role models of tomorrow,” he explained.
Watching the Stars succeed inspired Hunter to launch the artist management and development division of his company. He’s excited to pre-audition singers for The Voice.
Hunter’s Search for a Star Foundation is a nonprofit scholarship program whose goal is to enhance music, dance, theatre and visual art training. Special focus is given to families with limited income but whose children would benefit by extracurricular involvement in performing and visual arts. SFAS Foundation also works to unite and strengthen the community by creating a mentoring program designed to introduce local seniors to young people.
Over the past six years, the foundation has awarded more than $30,000 in cash awards and scholarships. Founder Rob Hunter, originally from the Chicago area, is an accomplished vocalist and instrumentalist.
Rob and his wife Debbie own the Ballard Street Music Store and the Ballard School of Performing Arts in historic downtown Wylie. They were named the 2011 Large Business of the Year by the Lavon Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, contact SFAS founder Rob Hunter at 847-623-0577 or the Ballard School of Performing Arts, 972-429-0047, www.searcingforastar.org.