Who will be the 8th Dartmouth Idol? HANOVER, NH, February 25, 2015—In its eighth year and open to all currently enrolled Dartmouth College undergraduate students, Dartmouth Idol is a fun, friendly singing competition that culminates in an exciting, full-scale show, with prizes for the top contestants and free tickets to everyone who auditions. It’s led by Dartmouth College Gospel Choir Director Walt Cunningham, whose warmth, charisma and musical skills across a range of genres have helped make the annual competition a favorite with Dartmouth students and Upper Valley community members alike. Auditions took place Sunday, January 25, noon to 6 pm, in the Faulkner Recital Hall of Hopkins Center. Those who made the cut at auditions went on to the Dartmouth Idol Semi-Finals, on Tuesday, February 3, at 7 pm, in Spaulding Auditorium. In this karaoke-style sing-off, talented contestants vied for a slot in the final round. Six finalists were selected at the Semis to go on to the Dartmouth Idol Finals on Friday, March 6, 8 pm, also in Spaulding. Contestants receive voice and performance coaching before the show and are accompanied by a 10-piece band led by Cunningham. Tickets are $15, $5 for Dartmouth students, and $10 for all other students. This year’s six finalists are: • Audrey Djiya ’17 from Lords Valley, PA, is studying Government (concentration in comparative politics) with a minor in International Studies. She is involved with Dimensions, the American Red Cross, and She's the First (an organization that supports education and gender equality in developing countries) and Kappa Kappa Gamma. She is a member of the Dartmouth Decibelles and the Dartmouth Gospel Choir and played the role of Martha in the Winter 2014 Main Stage Musical Spring Awakening. Performing has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. • Tara Joshi '18 from Los Angeles, is considering majoring in Geography with a minor in Spanish, and is a member of the Dartmouth Dodecaphonics. Apart from singing, she also enjoys Indian Classical Dance. • Charli Fool Bear-Vetter ’15, a theater major from Porcupine, ND, is from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and cherishes her Yanktonai heritage through her involvement with Native Americans at Dartmouth (NAD). On campus, she is a member of the Rockapellas and one half of the folk duo Dakota Wells. Off campus, she is in and writes music for Humor the Ruse, a rock band of Native musicians. She hopes to use her experiences with Idol to grow as an artist and one day teach theater and performance to reservation schools. • Danielle Piacentile ’17 is a sophomore double majoring in Anthropology modified with Global Health and Women and Gender Studies. She grew up in New Jersey and has been singing and acting since she was five years old. She is in the Dartmouth Sing Dynasty, Gospel Choir, EDPA and Kappa Delta Sorority. Last year, she was a backup singer for the finals. • Danny Rogers ’15, from San Diego, studies history modified with film and media studies and hopes to pursue a career in the entertainment industry after graduating. On campus, he is the current president of The Dartmouth Cords, an all-male a cappella group and also is a member of Bones Gate Fraternity. He participated in the Dartmouth Idol finals as a background singer during his freshman winter. • Chris Yih ’17 is History and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies major from Winnetka, Illinois. Before coming to Dartmouth, he was heavily involved in his high school’s music department, where he found his love of singing, writing music and playing piano. On campus, Chris is a member of the Dartmouth Brovertones and Bones Gate Fraternity. He is also involved in the First Year Trips program, where he was a member of H Croo; the Dimensions team, and the theater department. Photos by Rob Strong. * * * Founded in 1962, the Hopkins Center for the Arts is a multi-disciplinary academic, visual and performing arts center dedicated to uncovering insights, igniting passions, and nurturing talents to help Dartmouth and the surrounding Upper Valley community engage imaginatively and contribute creatively to our world. Each year the Hop presents more than 300 live events and films by visiting artists as well as Dartmouth students and the Dartmouth community, and reaches more than 22,000 Upper Valley residents and students with outreach and arts education programs. After a celebratory 50th-anniversary season in 2012-13, the Hop enters its second half-century with renewed passion for mentoring young artists, supporting the development of new work, and providing a laboratory for participation and experimentation in the arts.