Final 26 ready to take CenterStage

Twenty-six hopefuls have made through to the try-out rounds. The group will hit the CenterStage and compete for the title as Houma’s top singer July 14.

Meet the contestants

• Carissa Babin, 16, of Bayou Blue, is a student at H.L. Bourgeois High School. She said, “Singing is the way I express my emotions in situations where I can’t speak.”

• Hannah Breaux, 20, of Houma, is a waitress and a former graduate of Houma Christian School. Her hobbies include singing karaoke at the All Star Lounge and spending time with her husband. Breaux has been singing since she was a little girl.

• Lindsey Bueche, 21, of Houma, is studying at Nicholls State University. “I like all types of music. Every genre creates a different mood and emotion. They all have a time and a place to be appreciated,” she said.

• Jasmine Burrell, 14, of Patterson, is a student at Patterson Junior High School. She has been singing for the past 10 years. He favorite performers are rhythm and blues sensations Beyonce and LeToya Luckett.

• Joelie Cantrelle, 10, of Houma, is a student at Mulberry Elementary School. Her hobbies include singing, dancing and gymnastics. “I like to sing challenging songs because it makes me work really hard,” she said.

• Jamie Chauvin, 19, of Houma, is studying at Louisiana State University. His favorite song is Sister Hazel’s “Champagne High.” He perfects his talent by performing in musicals as well as taking voice lessons.

• J’Leigh Chauvin, 12, of Larose, is a student at Larose Cutoff Middle School. She has no formal training. “I like to sing Broadway style songs because it lets me express myself. I get to perform and entertain people,” she said.

• Claire Chouest, 14, of Lockport, is a student at South Lafourche High School. At age 10, she started taking vocal lessons. Her favorite song is Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.”

• Michael Dryden, 34, of Houma, is studying at Nicholls State University and is a pharmacy technician. “All my troubles are gone when I sing. It’s a real stress reliever,” he said.

• Tally Dufrene, 9, of Raceland, is a student at Raceland Upper Elementary School. A fan of pop rock, her favorite song is Amy Lee’s “Snow White Queen.”

• Kami Rae Ellender, 16, of Houma, is a student at Vandebilt Catholic High School. “I have worked with a lot of vocal teachers, but I have learned more from actually performing onstage,” she said.

• Corey Fanguy, 31, of Gray, is an oilfield vacuum truck operator. “Singing is a great stress reliever, and it allows to me to make a joyful noise in church when I worship,” he said.

• Toni Fanguy, 23, of Houma, is a chiropractic assistant and an X-ray technician. “Music has always been a part of my family especially in the hearts of my father and sister,” she said.

• Shelbie Francis, 11, of Gray, is a student at Caldwell Middle School. “I really don’t have any vocal training, I sing from my heart,” she said.

• Brittany Hebert, 16, of Cut Off, is a student at South Lafourche High School. Two years ago, Hebert participated in the initial Houma singing competition “Hometown Stars.” Her favorite song is Martina McBride’s “Any Way.”

• Keierica Howard, 14, of Houma is a student at Terrebonne High School. A fan of contemporary gospel music, her favorite song is John Willison’s “My Redeemer Lives.”

• Seth Lapeyrouse, 19, of Houma, is studying at Nicholls State University. His favorite song is Hillsong’s “Fire Fall Down.” “God gave me the gift of song and its only right that I give it back to the world,” he said.

• Trevor LeBlanc, 23, of Houma, is studying at Nicholls State University. His hobbies include karate and playing video games. Raised on country and pop, he now enjoys listening to classical music.

• Madeline Malbrough, 10, of Houma, is a student at Mulberry Elementary School. She takes voice lessons at South Louisiana Center for the Arts in Houma. Her favorite singer is Gwen Stefani.

• Darryl Parker Jr., 16, of Houma, is a student at Terrebonne High School. His favorite singer is contemporary hip-hop artist Ne-Yo. “I like (Ne Yo’s) ‘Make it Work’ because it deals with marriage and how you hold it together for love,” he said.

• Jessica Rhodes, 10, of Houma, is a student at Messiah Montessori School. Her hobbies include playing the piano and singing. Her enjoys listening to Christian music.

• Gail Terracina, 43, of Thibodaux, is a bartender. Her hobbies include singing and raising her children. “I feel like I can relate to pop and country music,” she said.

• Tabitha Theriot, 14, of Houma, is a student at Houma Junior High School. Her hobbies include playing the piano and singing. “I enjoy singing because I like putting a smile on people’s face. It builds my self-esteem when I sing,” she said.

• Mireille Thibodeaux, 16, of Thibodaux, is a student Thibodaux High School. “Singing and writing my own songs helps me to express myself in public,” she said.

• Natalie Wells, 19, of Houma, is studying at Nicholls State University. “Singing and music has always been my passions. I dedicate my life to singing,” she said.

• Brandi Whitaker, 25, of Houma, is a Direct Support Professional. Her hobbies include singing, drawing, writing poetry and photography. “Music takes me to a different level. I like to tell stories through song,” she said.

From these 26 contestants, judges will choose 10 lucky, and very talented, singers to return to the stage to perform a second song. The CenterStage winner will be picked from that final panel.

The winner will receive studio time at Palms Spring Studio in Houma, an appearance on the Louisiana Connection Network (LCN) and a stage performance with south Louisiana favorite Treater at the Downtown Live after Five festivities in Houma.

The CenterStage winner will also be a featured vocalist at Tab Benoit’s 2007 Voice of the Wetlands Festival, Oct. 12-14.

LCN has promised to air highlights and bloopers from the two tryouts, as well as the final show, so Centerstage finalists will receive plenty of exposure, show creator Ann Duplantis noted.

Proceeds from the final event will benefit the parish’s CASA for Kids program.

The competition will be held at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The doors open at 1 p.m.; the event begins at 2 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults, and $3 for children 3-12. Children under age 2 are admitted free.

For more information, contact Duplantis at (985) 790-3900.