The Cincinnati Arts Association’s Overture Awards to Present 'Next Pop Star' Competition

The Cincinnati Arts Association's Overture Awards has created a new dance and vocal arts opportunity for Tri-state students in grades 9-12 – the Next Pop Star competition. The new program is scheduled for Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Aronoff Center.

The Next Pop Star competition is designed for talented high school students who perform popular dance and music. A maximum of 25 dancers and 25 vocalists will be allowed to compete on a first-come, first-served basis before a panel of judges for no longer than five minutes each. Competitors are required to submit an application to register; no application fee is required. Once the application is received, the competitor will be contacted with a specific time to check in the day of the event. Applications from students who have competed in the Overture Award program will not be accepted.

A keyboard and a CD player will be provided; however, competitors may bring their own accompanist. Two winners, one dancer and one vocalist, will each receive a $300 prize. Three runners-up will each receive $100 each.

"The Overture Awards program has become quite classical in nature, and students who participate mostly sing or play classical music, perform classical theater works, and dance ballet or other classic forms," said Carolyn Phillips, Cincinnati Arts Association Education Program Manager. "Like TV's American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance, Next Pop Star is designed for young singers and dancers who enjoy performing current styles, such as hip hop, jazz, rap, R&B, folk, gospel, country, soul, or power ballads. Next Pop Star will give these performers – many of whom may never have had a private lesson -- a chance to compete with other young performing artists in a fun, supportive environment."