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ALL-STARS BGT
SATURDAY, SEP 28, 2024
6 PM AT LITTLE CITY CIDER CO.
Gretchen Sausville
Veronica Jarvis
Hillary Chase
Timothy Wade
Pat Collette
Kobi Addington
Morgan Loomis
Lauren Biasi
OUR EMCEE FOR THE NIGHT!
Bob Hemmer, aka Dr Bob has been involved in creating the music scene in Bennington since moving to VT in 1997. Initially, he did sound & lights for Bennington’s favorite cover band, Mid-Life Crisis! He then helped start the Basement Music Series with Matthew Perry & the Vermont Arts Exchange, acting as technician, photographer, producer and anything & everything else for 20 years!! Then, he helped transition the BMS to Little City Cider Co. where he still produces shows today. Dr Bob is a local child psychologist in private practice and lives at an undisclosed location where he grows fabulous garlic!!
MEET OUR JUDGES MEET OUR JUDGES
H PETER KING
Peter King has had a lifelong immersion in music, learning, performing, and teaching since his father first introduced him to the ukulele in kindergarten. He has been drawn to many genres, including bluegrass, jazz, classical, blues and rock. Currently he can be found playing with The Prescription (and Side-Effects horn section), a 9-piece classic rock band made up of family and friends.
MEET OUR JUDGES MEET OUR JUDGES
H ERIKA FLORIANI
Hi there! I may be a transplant from the Berkshires, but with 200 years of family roots in Vermont, this state is in my blood! I’ve called Southern Vermont home for years, where I’ve lived, worked, and raised three amazing sons. When I’m not soaking up the beauty of the outdoors— whether hiking, fishing, or skiing—I’m fully immersed in the vibrant arts scene here.
As a huge fan of live entertainment and a bit of a theatre geek (my gram always said I was a ham!), I’ve had the pleasure of performing in six local theater productions. So, you can imagine how *thrilled* I am to be one of the judges for **Bennington’s Got Talent**! I’m excited to see the incredible talent our community has to offer.
My career path has been as varied as my hobbies—everything from being a morning show DJ for Vermont’s #1 Country station to guiding snowmobile tours. But at the heart of everything I do is my passion for connecting with people and my community, which even earned me the 2018 Mike Williams Hospitality Award from the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Now, I bring that same energy and enthusiasm to judging Bennington’s Got Talent, I’m all about celebrating the spirit of Vermont!
HCHRISTOPHER OLDHAM .
Christopher Oldham was born and raised in Bennington and lives in North Bennington with his wife, Amanda, and sons, Christopher and Jackson. He served on the Bennington Select Board for nine years, authored a children’s book, “A Father’s Letter To His Son,” and is a Vermont Business Magazine’s 40 under 40 Rising Star Award recipient. He was the Executive Director of Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless and Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion. Currently, Chris is the Director of Community Relations for MissionCare at Bennington. Chris is a self-proclaimed professional talent-show judge with over twenty years of experience judging contestants on such shows as America’s Got Talent, American Idol, and The Voice - from the comfort of his couch. Chris returns to the Bennington’s Got Talent stage as the longest serving judge, participating in all seven seasons!
OUR CONTESTANTS OUR CONTESTANTS
H HILLARY CHASE .
Hillary Chase is a local singer-songwriter of the VT-MA area. She has been performing and writing music since the early age of 11 and continued her studies of music into her years at a performing arts high school and later Bennington College where she graduated in 2014. From there she wrote her first full length album titled Find My Way, with the guidance and production of Julie Last, a former Bennington College recording professor and mentor. Hillary has played many gigs, worked and performed music at nursing homes, gardened/farmed, mentored through The Dream Program for kids and now finds herself at a local public elementary school teaching music. Hillary is looking forward to releasing new music in the years to come and hopes to make her way to local venues to perform.
HGRETCHEN SAUSVILLE
Gretchen was the 2023 winner of BCGT. Since her win, she has joined Walloomsac River Theatre Company, where she starred in “Firebringer the Musical” just three short months later! She has been performing with WRTC consistently since then, in various cabarets and shows. Gretchen is a mother to a little boy, who she loves to sing and dance with, and she hopes to spread her love of music onto him.
OUR CONTESTANTS OUR CONTESTANTS
HMORGAN LOOMIS .
Morgan Loomis is a music and education student at Bennington College. She has been writing songs for over a decade and is now beginning to record and release music under her stage name “Mirche” (meer-cha). Originally from Suncook, NH, she stayed local for the scenic hikes, snowshoe trails, and good company of her New England folk. When she’s not performing, you can find her on the trails, hanging out with friends, teaching in the local schools, volunteering with Mark Klak here at Little City Cider, or perhaps writing songs in the far off distance of Vermont’s beautiful rolling hills.
H PAT COLLETTE
My name is Patrick Collette I was born and raised in Bennington Vermont, I have played guitar and sang most of my life and I wouldn’t have ever pick it up if it wasn’t for watching my grandfather playing growing up. We recently just lost him and it’s been hard but I know he’s always with me when I’m singing or playing guitar. I’m glad to say that I can carry on his tradition with music and I won’t ever give up. This one Is for you grandpa. I love you til we meet again.
OUR CONTESTANTS OUR CONTESTANTS
HVERONICA JARVIS
Veronica Jarvis is a Junior at MAUHS from North Pownal and has been singing for as long as she can remember. She is involved in theater and choir at school and enjoys singing and performing very much. She also writes original songs and hopes to release them as soon as she can.
HTIMOTHY WADE .
My name is Timothy Wade. I’m from Poultney but currently reside in Florence VT. I’m currently employed at GE Aerospace in Rutland. I am the winner of BGT in 2019 and this will be my 9th show in Bennington as iv been lucky enough to perform every year as a guest. In my down time I enjoy spending my time with my wife Ashley and our daughter Margaret.
OUR CONTESTANTS OUR CONTESTANTS
H KOBI ADDINGTON
Kobi Addington is a sophomore at Burr and Burton Academy. He is a passionate musician who’s well involved with his community and school music program. He is a pianist, singer, and a third time returning contestant for Bennington’s got Talent. When he is not making music, he is playing football and basketball.
H LAUREN BIASI .
Lauren grew up on Long Island in NY and moved to Bennington in 2020. She spent most of her life on performing in a range of community to equity productions as well as educational tours. Currently Lauren is a Board Member of Walloomsac River Theatre Company and the director of their Youth Theatre productions.
OFFICIAL BALLOT OFFICIAL BALLOT
Below, please mark your choice for the best performer in this year’s Bennington County’s Got Talent contest by filling in the circle next to their name. One vote per ballot and one ballot per audience member, please. Ballots will be collected after the final performance. Or scan the QR code on the right.
1. Gretchen Sausville
2. Hillary Chase
3. Pat Collette 4. Morgan Loomis
5. Veronica Jarvis 6. Timothy Wade
7. Kobi Addington
7. Lauren Biasi