Northern stars sing at Caribou Performing Arts Center

Houlton’s own Brandon Clark, 18, performed “House of the Rising Sun,” by The Animals, during his time onstage at the Northern Star Finale held on March 25, at the Caribou Performing Arts Center.

By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer

On March 25, nine individual vocalists and three groups provided a Sunday afternoon filled with pure talent as they competed for the honor of being voted to be the 2012 Northern Star or Northern Stars United winners. The talented vocalists were among those who vied for a slot in the finale through previous regional competitions throughout the county.

Sponsored by the United Way of Aroostook, the event was emceed by Claudia Stevens and Jason Parent. Judges included 2006 Aroostook Idol winner Samantha Boutot, representing Northern Aroostook; Rod Thompson, Central Aroostook and Jason Anderson, Southern Aroostook.        

As audience members, there to support their favorite vocalist, entered the Performing Arts Center, they were presented with the afternoon’s program and ballots with instructions on voting for one semi-finalist performer and one semi-finalist group to continue as finalists. The top three solo finalists were determined by the two who received the highest number of audience votes with the third vocalists chosen by the judges. The winner of the 2012 Northern Stars United would be determined by audience vote only.

Following each of the performances, contestants heard from the judges, who overall provided very positive and at times humorous remarks, regarding the presentations.

When 17-year-old Nathen Cyr, of Patten, finished his performance of “Tangled Up In You” by Staind, he received the following comments from the judges.

Thompson: “You set a very high standard for yourself and you get extra points from me for playing your guitar while singing.”

Anderson: “There was a lot of heartfelt emotion in your performance, just watch your diction and be careful on those upper registers.”

Boutot: “You are good — your voice is just like Staind. I was watching the audience and they were really into it. Good job.”

Singing “Turning Tables” by Adele, Emily Marin of Fort Kent said that she decided to participate in the Northern Star competition because, “I am 12-years-old this year and can finally do it.” The judges commented this way.

In an extremely emotional farewell, Christian Sirois (who with his sister Gabrielle was the 2011 Northern Stars United winner), received two standing ovations from the audience as he sang, “You Raise Me Up,” dedicated to his sister who is severely ill.	2012 Northern Star winner Megan Ouellette, 19, sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Eva Cassidy during the recent Northern Star Finale. Ouellette, who attends college in Ottawa, is from Clair, N.B.

Thompson: “I enjoyed that — great job.”

Anderson: “ You look very elegant on stage. You showed confidence and control.”

Boutot: “I love how you can go from low to high notes — I have complaints about your voice. Use the stage more while you are performing. I think you did a fantastic job overall.”

Woodland’s own Lance Albair had audience members hollering and moving in their seats as he performed, “Your Man” by Josh Turner. The judges’ responses included:

Boutot: “You are a natural on stage — that was the whole package.”

Anderson: “You have good command of the stage and that was a great interpretation of that song.”

Thompson: “Great job — just watch how close you hold the mic.”

Indya Ouellette, 15, of Madawaska sang “Someone Like You” by Adele and her bio noted her saying “This is my fourth year participating and I think it’s really fun.” the judges showed their appreciation of her performance with the following words.

Boutot: “You sing like you have years and years of experience. You have great stage presence and control — you captivated the audience.”

Anderson: “You have a great depth of tone, that was a great interpretation — nicely done.”

Thompson: “That was wonderful.”

Singing “Free” by the Zac Brown Band, and playing the guitar, Todd Corey of Presque Isle earned these statements from the three judges.

Boutot: “You have a pure, flawless voice.”

Thompson: “I was watching your finger movements to see if you were really playing — and you were playing the right chords. You really had control of that song — bang — excellent.”

Anderson: “That was a great performance and a great choice of song for you.”

Bailey McNally, 16, of Sherman performed the popular Janis Joplin song, “Me and Bobbi McGee.” The judges commented:

Thompson: You almost had me up there singing with you — great rendition.”

Boutot: “That was an everything presentation — great — good job.”

Anderson: “That was a wonderful interpretation  — very refreshing. You might want to pick up the tempo a little but you have a great, smooth voice, reminds me of Nora Jones.”

Presque Isle vocalist Josh Doughty captured the attention of CPAC’s near full house as he sang “Firecracker” by Josh Turner. The judges commented:

Boutot: “Josh is in the house. You have great vibrato  — you’re good.”

Thomspon: “In my humble opinion — you did it again.”

Hailing from Presque Isle, Josh Doughty, voted by the audience as one of the 2012 Northern Star finalists, sang “Firecracker” by Josh Turner as his first selection.	Singing “Someone Like You,” by Adele, was Northern Star finalist Indya Ouellette, 15, from Madawaska.

Anderson: “Terrific — you have a radio voice.”

Traveling from Ottawa where she is currently enrolled in college, Megan Ouellette, 19, of Clair, N.B. won the hearts, votes and approval of the audience and the judges as she sang, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Eva Cassidy.  The judges had this to say about her performance.

Thompson: “I actually heard Eva Cassidy sing that song, years ago and it brought tears to my eyes. “While you were singing, I had tears in my eyes again.”

Anderson: “Wow, let me know when and where you are headlining.”

Boutot: “Phenomenal.”

Brandon Clark, 18, of Houlton, brought it all to the stage as he sang, with pure, raw emotion, “ House of the Rising Sun,” by the Animals. The judges responded this way.

Anderson: “That was a great retelling of that classic song — you carried the same angst with great power.”

Thompson: “I learned that song when I was 11 years old — you performance brought great joy.”

Boutot: “Your accapello was great, you sing with so much feeling.”

Three two-person groups made up the Northern Stars United Group finalists, they included the following.

“Singing Reba McIntire’s “Fancy” were Brittani Suitter and Cassidy Nason both of Monticello. Following their performance of the popular song the judges said:

Thompson: “I love that you are country musicians — loved the rendition — good job, very good job.”

Boutot: I really love your matching outfits and I think that was an overall good performance.”

Anderson: “Great harmony — great job.”

Performing “Fishin’ in the Dark” by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dan Rooney and Josh Doughty, both of Presque Isle heard these remarks from the judges.

Thompson: “Dan, you looked like you were getting rid of some pent-up energy on stage, — I loved it.”

2012 Northern Star vocalist 12-year-old Emily Marin of Fort Kent performs “Turning Tables” by Adele.	Woodland’s Northern Star finalist Lance Albair sings “Your Man” by Josh Turner.

Boutot: “You had the audience involved, your voices are a good match — that harmony was spot on.”

Anderson: “That was exciting — tight harmony. At the end when you were singing in the round was very good.”

Claiming the 2012 title of Northern Stars United, the Triplets, 15-year old twin sisters Naomi and Nokomi Oakes Ouellet of Lac Baker, N.B. and Ariane Richard, 13, of Clair, N.B. sang “We Are Young,” as performed on ‘Glee.’ The perfectly harmonized group drew these remarks from the judges.

Anderson: I loved hearing you sing — Wow — cool — such great command — just great.”

Boutot: “ That is the best harmony I have ever heard.”

Thompson: “Your costumes match, your choreography is great, and you have beautiful voices _ great — great — great.”

After their initial performances were completed the audience voted for their favorite soloist to reappear in the final sing-off. Receiving the highest audience votes and advancing to the finals were Josh Doughty and Megan Ouellette; Indya Ouellette was picked by the judges.

Doughty came back to the stage singing, “I Can’t Out Run You.” The judges said:

Thompson: “You could have heard a pin drop while you were singing.”

Boutot: “That is a captivating song and you captivated your audience.”

Anderson laughing, “Captivating — I wanted to hear your story. Your voice is very Trace Aiken — you showed your vulnerability in that performance.”

Singing, “I Don’t Even Know His Last Name,” by Carrie Underwood, Megan Ouellette earned the remarks, “Girl —you owned that; Awesome — Awesome.” Ouellette captured the 2012 Northern Star title with her performances.

Indya Ouellette, the last of the finalist on stage sang, “ You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man,” by Lorretta Lynn. The judges’ comments included:

Anderson: “Excellent balance on stage — really, really terrific.”

Competing in the Northern Stars United Group category were, Josh Doughty, left, and Dan Rooney, both of Presque Isle. The singing partners performed “Fishin’ In the Dark” by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band during the March 25, Northern Star Finale.

Singing “We Are Young” by Glee, in perfect harmony and claiming the 2012 Northern Stars United title were the ‘Triplets’, 15-year-old twin sisters, Naomi and Nokomi Oakes Ouellet of Lac Baker, N. B. and Ariane Richard, 13, of Clair, N.B.

Thompson: “I’d be scared if I tried to take your man — great job.”

Boutot: “I wasn’t able to write any comments, I was just watching/listening to you  — great job.”

Special guest appearances during the March 25 event included 2006 Aroostook Idol Samantha Boutot, singing, “In My Daughters Eyes”; 2007 Aroostook Idol Annie Charles who sang “I Look To You,” by Whitney Houston; 2011 Northern Star Dashawn Russell, singing “Hear My Call,” and “The Power of One,” and Christian Sirois, who with his sister, Gabrielle were the 2011 Northern Stars United Group winners.

Prior to the afternoon event’s anticipated announcements, Don Zillman, 2011-12 United Way of Aroostook president addressed those in attendance.

The afternoon had been filled with fun, laughter and extremely talented presentations by area vocalists but as Sirois was introduced to perform his farewell vocal, the energy which filled the Caribou Performing Arts Center took on a whole new level.

The audience was informed, as Sirois appeared on stage, that he would be singing solo, as his sister was critically ill and unable to attend the performance. As he readied himself to address the audience, emotion overcame the young man’s voice, his words faltering, giving way to tears. After taking a few moments, drawing deep breaths and being comforted with words of encouragement by Jason Parent, Sirois cleared his throat and dedicating his performance to his sister, began to sing the lyrics of the song, “You Raise Me Up,” by Josh Groban.

As he stoically continued to sing, all of those involved in the afternoon’s performance quietly lined the back of the stage, grasping hands, willing their support and their prayers to Sirois and his sister.

As Sirois sang, it became obvious that nearly every audience member was wiping away tears and with his own emotion in greater check, his voice became stronger, earning him a standing ovation from the audience. Somehow finding the strength either through his own personal resolve, thoughts of his sister or the power of prayers and thoughts from the audience Sirois completed the selection to a second standing ovation.

In addition to being ambassadors for the United Way of Aroostook, the 2012 Northern Star and Northern Stars United were each presented with prize packages donated by Cellar Door Studio; Academy Dental, P.A.; TD Bank; and the United Way of Aroostook.

Brittani Suitter and Cassidy Nason, both of Monticello, performed “Fancy” by Reba McIntire during the Northern Stars United group competition.

Nathen Cyr, 17, of Patten sings “Tangled Up in You” by Staind, during the 2012 Northern Star finale at the Caribou Performing Arts Center.	Singing the Janis Joplin favorite, “Me and Bobbi McGee” was Bailey McNally, 16, from Sherman.	Todd Corey of Presque Isle, performed a Zac Brown Band selection “Free” during the March 25 Northern Star Finale held at the Caribou Performing Arts Center.