By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Three brilliant soloists and one amazing brother-sister duo received their “golden tickets” Saturday night earning them spots in the finale of the Northern Star competition later this month in Caribou.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
The central Aroostook competition of Northern Star, formerly Aroostook Idol, was held Saturday night at Presque Isle Middle School. This year, not only the top three (top two audience vote-getters and a judges’ wild-card pick) soloists from each regional show advance to the finale, but the top groups – duos, trios and quartets – will move on, as well. Receiving their “golden tickets” and a spot in the finale are, from left: Gabrielle Sirois and her brother, Christian, of Drummond, New Brunswick, who were the only group act performing therefore automatically advancing to the finale; and soloists Robert Helstrom of Washburn, Cissy Buck of Caribou and Dashawn Russell of Limestone. The Northern Star finale will be held Sunday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. The popular international singing contest is a fundraiser for the United Way of Aroostook.
Formerly known as Aroostook Idol, the popular international singing contest is a fundraiser for the United Way of Aroostook. The second regional show – featuring singers from central Aroostook and Victoria County, New Brunswick – was held Feb. 12 at the Presque Isle Middle School auditorium.
The top two audience vote-getters were Dashawn Russell of Limestone and Cissy Buck of Caribou. The judges’ wild-card pick was Robert Helstrom of Washburn. With only one group act performing, Gabrielle and Christian Sirois of Drummond, N.B., who sang “I Believe in You” by Il Divo, automatically advance to the finale where they will compete against other group winners from Houlton’s regional show, as well as this Friday night’s Fort Kent production. The overall group winner will be called “Northern Stars United,” while the individual winner will be the “Northern Star.”
A new feature this year saw all three judges hail from central Aroostook, with the audience choosing one to move on to the championship round. Dan Ladner, Rod Thompson and Tamia Glidden served as judges, with Ladner being selected to judge at the finale.
Russell wowed both the judges and the audience with his rendition of “Ave Maria” by Beyoncé.
“You have more than a good voice,” said Ladner. “You are a gifted, gifted singer. I haven’t heard a voice like that for a long time. Your falsetto – your high notes – unbelievable. I thought they were beautiful in the beginning, but when you hit those high notes at the end, I almost fell out of my seat. Just beautiful. Your gestures all came from within; they’re your spirit. I was very impressed.”
Buck sang “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. When asked by Jason Parent, who co-hosted the competition with Claudia Stevens, executive director of the United Way of Aroostook, “Where have you been for the past six years?” Buck responded, “The military … Texas, Alaska, California; we just moved up here in July.”
“When I saw you were going to sing an Alicia Keys song I thought, ‘That’s quite a challenge,’ but oh my, you did it justice,” Glidden said. “You have a beautiful, smooth quality to your voice. I really enjoyed it. Wonderful power and wonderful pitch.”
“Cissy, you sounded like a pro,” said Thompson. “You really did; that was great. Just great.”
Helstrom performed the Billy Vera classic, “At This Moment,” a song he performed before on the Aroostook Idol stage. At one point in the song, he approached the judges’ table and sang to Glidden.
“Robert, we had a moment, didn’t we?” she asked following his performance.
“Yes we did. I was hoping you felt that,” Helstrom said.
“It was great. I love that song,” said Glidden. “You are in great command of the stage; powerful.”
Thompson agreed.
“I really enjoyed your talent and your maturity,” he said. “Great job.”
The judges all enjoyed the Sirois sibling act, as well.
“I’m so glad they’re going on in the competition,” said Ladner. “You’re just fantastic … both of you. To sing together like that is a real thrill. Wow, what voices you both have! Congratulations.”
The siblings also performed individually during the contest. Christian, 13, sang “Que L’amour est Violent” by Garou, while his 15-year-old sister, Gabrielle, sang “La Quete” by Jacques Brel.
Also competing in the central Aroostook show were:
• Alannah Orcutt, 14, of Presque Isle, who sang “Sparks Fly” by Taylor Swift and accompanied herself on guitar.
• Sydney Curtis, 12, of Ashland, who performed “At Last” by Etta James.
• Deanna Jordan of Caribou, “Panis Angelicus” by Franck Cesar.
• Dan Rooney of Presque Isle, who sang a self-composed song entitled, “The River.” He also accompanied himself on the guitar.
• Jordan Buckley, 13, of Westfield, who performed “Note to God” by Charise.
• Emma Duplissie-Cyr, 16, of Caribou, who sang “I Am Changing” by Jennifer Hudson.
• Lance Albair of Woodland, singing “If You’re Reading This” by Tim McGraw.
• Nicole Adams of Fort Fairfield, who performed “Open Arms” by Journey.
• Megan Ouellette of Presque Isle, who sang “Hallelujah” by Alexandria Burke.
• Tim Heary, also known as Rick Andrews, of Woodland, who selected “Statue of a Fool” by Ricky Van Shelton.
• Yvette Stephens of Presque Isle, who sang “Drowning,” a song she co-wrote with her friend, Daniel Hudelson.
Also providing entertainment during the evening was Isabelle Pelletier of St. Jacques, N.B., who was crowned the first Northern Star last year. Pelletier, who speaks French as her first language, sang “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” by Edith Piaf and the John Lennon classic, “Let It Be.”
The southern Aroostook show was held Feb. 5 in Houlton and saw soloists Wyatt Jenkins and Brandon Clark, both of Houlton, and Todd Corey of Mars Hill advancing to the finale. Joining them will be the duo of Brenda Ellis and Darci St. Pierre, both of Houlton. The Fort Kent production will be held Friday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Fox Auditorium at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
The Northern Star finale will be held Sunday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 and are available at all Key Bank branches and at the United Way of Aroostook office, located at 480 Main St. (third floor) in Presque Isle.
Proceeds will go to the United Way’s general fund, which helps support 20 area agencies and other United Way programs. This year’s campaign goal is $520,000. Since the United Way of Aroostook launched the original “Aroostook Idol” fundraiser, it has drawn more than 150 competitors to the stage. It also has raised more than $150,000 to benefit agencies funded by the United Way in Aroostook County.
For more information on the Northern Star competition, contact the United Way of Aroostook at 764-5197.
