Singing competition features C-M students
Three vocalists from the Canon-McMillan School District are semifinalists in the annual Kean Quest singing competition to benefit St. Barnabas Free Care Fund.
The semifinals will be held Sunday.
The students are:
• Blake Mechtel, 16, a sophomore – Mechtel, son of Scott and Karen Mechtel of McDonald, is a member of the concert choir, men’s ensemble and Bella Voce, an auditioned group of ninth- through 12th-graders. He performed “Stay” by Rhianna in the first round of Kean Quest. He has studied voice with Laura Ann Mannion, owner and director of South Hills Music Academy.
• Ashley Irwin, 11, a sixth-grader at North Strabane Intermediate School – Irwin, daughter of Jack and Lisa Irwin of Canonsburg, sang “I Enjoy Being a Girl” from “Flower Drum Song” at the competition. She has studied voice with Carolyn Brow of Peters Township and performs with the Pittsburgh Musical Theatre. She is rehearsing the role of the caterpillar in “Alice in Wonderland,” which will be performed in April.
• Joelle Germeyer, 10, a fourth-grader at Borland Manor Elementary School – Germeyer, daughter of David and Hileri Germeyer of North Strabane Township, has performed locally in musical theater, including “Madeline’s Christmas” at Little Lake Theatre. She also is a student of Mannion and has performed in “Kids on Broadway” at the South Hills Music Academy. At the Kean Quest competition, she sang “Part of Your World” from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”
The St. Barnabas Free Care Fund provides more than $4.5 million to needy residents at St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and The Arbors at St. Barnabas in Gibsonia.