Wow! Orcas Idol Auditions Showcase Phenomenal Local Talent — Get Tickets NOW for Feb. 6

The Orcas Idol Finalists, from left, Bryan Benepe (holding Baby Zoe), Heather Stansbury, KT Laslo, Marissa Veldman, Carl Burger, Jared Grantham. Stephen Baker, Julia Bailey, Susan Weiss, Charly Robinson, Arianna and Jason Dean

The Orcas Idol Auditions to pick the nine contestants for the Orcas Idol Finale on Feb. 6 was a night of entertainment that left the audience blindsided with delight and the judges confounded with a choice that would have frustrated Solomon.

The Judges — Terry Anderson, Becky Klaus and Grace McCune — had the impossible task of choosing the finalists from the 18 outstanding contestants. They were:

• Bryan Benepe and Heather Stansbury
• Bryan Grantham
• Rene Sturk
• Kelsey Whitaker
• Stephen Baker and Julia Bailey
• Susan Weiss
• Alaina Vedder
• Charly Robinson
• Jason and Arianna Dean
• Jared Grantham
• Elizabeth Tully
• Kyle Koepcke
• Teri and Rebecca Mason
• Carl Burger
• Marissa Veldman
• KT Lazlo
• Clark Cundy
• Mike Speece

Heather Stansbury, Bryan Benepe, Donna Laslo, Elizabeth Tully, Kelsey Whitaker, Jared Grantham, Renee Sturk, Susan Weiss, KT Laslo, Kyle Koepcke, Jason Dean, Arianna Dean, Alaina Veddder, Rebecca Mason, Teri Mason, Clark Cundy, Alaina Vedder,Bryan Grantham, Marissa Veldman, Stephen Baker (kneeling) Mike Speece (sitting) Carl Burger, Julia Bailey

There were so many moments of breathtaking performance: Kelsey Whitaker’s haunting rendition of “My Heart Will Go On;” Bryan Grantham’s poignant version of “Cat’s in the Cradle;” Rene Sturk’s sultry “Weak;” Alaina Vedder’s chrystalline and bitter “Brown Eyes,” Elizabeth Tully’s sweet country “One Way Ticket;” Kyle Koepcke’s  tender “Tomorrow Never Comes;” Teri and Rebecca Mason’s bluesy “Cry Me a River;” Clark Cundy’s loose and rhythmic “Kryptonite;” and closing with Mike Speece’s warm “City of New Orleans” that had the audience singing along with the folk classic.

The winning acts which will go on to the Finale at Orcas Center, beginning at 6:30 p.m. are:

• Stephen Baker and Julia Bailey
• Susan Weiss
• Charly Robinson
• Jason and Arianna Dean
• Jared Grantham
• Carl Burger
• Marissa Veldman
• KT Laslo
• Bryan Benepe and Heather Stansbury

The Orcas Idol shows are sponsored by the Orcas Island Prevention Partnership (OIPP).  Marta Nielson, OIPP Director said from the stage, “All I can do is sit in the audience and go ‘Wow!'” The OIPP coalition of 13 local organizations, non-profits and government agencies strives to protect, prevent and intervene in the community while promoting healthy lifestyles.

To that end, OIPP supports the Point Blank Youth Leadership Club, Mentoring Program at the Funhouse, Teen Tutoring, Talking Circles and the Community Mindfulness Forums.

Nielson thanked Donna Laslo and the Orcas Idol Committee of Jeanne Beck, Moriah Armstrong, Margie Sabine and Julie Pinardi for their contributions to the fifth annual Orcas Idol competition.

Tickets for the Orcas Idol Finale on Feb. 6 are for sale at Orcas Idol sponsor Radio Shack and Darvill’s Bookstore. The winner of Orcas Idol 2010 will make a professional recording.