Michelle Dowdy, Chris Dilley & Jonathan Reid Gealt to Judge First Round of RISING STAR $1000 Singing Competition

This Sunday, RISE BAR is seeking it's next RISING STAR! Hosted by Broadways Marty Thomas (Xanadu, The Secret Garden, Wicked), the RISING STAR competition begins Sunday March 6! The contestants will be competing in an 8 week elimination style contest for a $1000 cast prize and paid bookings at RISE Bar with their respective solo show. In addition to it's cash and prize package, RISING STAR is offering networking opportunities with guest celebrity judges, fantastic exposure and valuable live stage experience.

The top 12 finalists were chosen from 40 by a panel of industry judges from a live audition. The audition round judges included Alysha Umphress (ON THE TOWN), Emily McNamara (AWESOME 80s PROM) and composer Jeff Thomson (TRAILS THE MUSICAL).

The following contestants advanced to the next round of competition. Katia Malarsky, Dominic Crossey, Diana Huey, Michael Muenchow, Sharisse Fransisco, Terrance Johnson, Desiree Rodriguez, Gabriel Violett, Carla Bordonara, Eric Jetner, Amanda Enriquez and James Avance.

This weeks judges include Jonathan Reid Gealt, Michelle Dowdy and Chris Dilley.

JONATHAN REID GEALT recently celebrated the worldwide release of his third studio album, "Whatever I Want It To Be," featureing Jane Monheit, Laura Osnes, Joshua Henry, Loren Allred, Luke Edgemon, Craig Colton, Caissie Levy, Lindsay Mendez, Alex Brightman, Lilli Cooper, Natalie Weiss, Alysha Umphress,Michael Deleget, Celisse Henderson, Addi McDaniel, and Whitney Bashor.

Jonathan's second album "Here For You - Ballads for Broadway Impact" boasts the vocal talents of Loren Allred, Jeremy Jordan, Caissie Levy, Kelli O'hara, Adrienne Warren, Katie Thompson, Jason Gotay, Natalie Weiss, Rachel Potter, and Jonathan Reid Gealt.Jonathan's debut album was produced by 7 time grammy award winner Joel Moss and features orchestrations by Lynne Shankel, Bruce Coughlin, and August Eriksmoen as well as the vocal talents of Kate Baldwin, Will Chase, Lauren Kennedy, Caissie Levy, Matt Doyle, Darius de Haas, Tituss Burgess, Carrie Manolakos, Natalie Weiss, Zak Resnick, Quentin Earl Darrington, Adam Chanler-Berat, Lindsay Mendez, Capathia Jenkins and the Broadway Inspirational Voices. Jonathan's music has been featured in sold out venues and concerts all over New York City including the Broadway in South Africa Benefits, Symphony Space, The Canal Room, Joe's Pub, The Triad, The Laurie Beechman, The Lucille Lortel, Le Poisson Rouge, and Birdland. Outside New York City, his music has been sung around the world including: Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Manila, Japan, Australia, Canada and London.

A performer as well as a composer, select theater credits include "The Secret Garden" (Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC), "Rags" (NOKIA Theater, NYC), "Les Miserables" (Tour), St. Louis MUNY, Atlanta Theater of the Stars, Kansas City Starlight, The Wolf Trap, "Junie B. Jones" (Tour), and "Thrill Me" (New England Premiere). FILM/TV "Across The Universe" and "Kidnapped." Jonathan also appeared as a soloist with the Boston Pops under the baton of Keith Lockhart.

CHRIS DILLEY has performed for audiences all over the world, sharing stages with such artists as Sting, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan, Harry Connick Jr., Randy Newman, and India.Arie. He currently sings with the Grammy-nominated Broadway Inspirational Voices. He teaches private voice at NYU and works with students through his own vocal studio here in New York.

MICHELLE DOWDY starred on Broadway as Tracy Turnblad in the epic musical theater classic, HAIRSRPAY. She is a New York nightlife icon having performed everywhere from famed 54 Below to The Duplex Cabaret and Piano Bar. She is a hostess and a recording artist, having recently released her debut live album, A BRASS ACT.

Other industry pros scheduled to appear as judges throughout the competition include Choreographer Shea Sullivan, Christine Dwyer (WICKED), Matt Deangelis (HAIR), Rosalind Brown (FOOTLOOSE), Kat Lumpkin (FOX East Coast Casting), Musical Director Laura Berquist (ALLEGIANCE), Entertainment Magazine editor Ryan Brinson (BLEEP MAGAZINE), Marissa Rosen (PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT), Pop Star Ari Gold, Paul Caanan (KINKY BOOTS), Kate Rockwell (BRING IT ON!), Ryann Redmond (IF/THEN), Olivia Lucy Phillip (DISASTER), Composer Jacob Yandura (WRINGER) and Nick Adams (PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT).

More special appearances will be announced soon.