Karaoke singers are crowd pleasers at Fair

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Brilyn Rebisz, 18, of Bergen sings “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack during the karaoke finals at the Orleans County 4-H fair on Thursday night.

She was one of 15 singers to qualify for the finals. Brilyn took third place. She has been competing in karaoke for several years.

She also shows goats at the fair. She was cheered on by many of the 4-H’ers during her performance.

Trellis Pore and his daughter Zyann, 10, both were among the top performers in the karaoke finals. Trellis sang “Gravity” by John Mayer and Zyann sang “Alleluia.”

Trellis is the pastor of the Shiloh Church in Albion and his daughter is the youth worship leader.

“It was a little nerve-wracking but once you get up on stage it’s pretty cool,” Zyann said.

The singers performed to a full crowd at the Curtis Pavilion.

The top five karaoke singers received trophies and money on Thursday. The prize money totals $1,000 with $500 to first place, $250 to second, $125 to third, $75 to fourth and $50 to fifth. Pictured from left include Leah Kania of Albion (first), Trellis Pore of Albion (second), Brilyn Rebisz of Bergen (third), Zyann Pore of Albion (fourth) and Carrie Clay of Albion (fifth).

Savannah Steffen, 23, of Albion sang “Good Girl” by Carrie Underwood. Steffen said she has been doing karaoke for 17 years. She was thrilled to take the stage in front of her two children.

“I like to get up there and show my kids that I can do it,” she said.

Leah Kania won the competition with an Italian operatic song, “Bel Piacere.” Noah Fox performed “Sway” by Michael Bublé.

Kania just finished her first year as a vocal performance major at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio.

She sang karaoke two years ago at the fair on a whim, singing “Baby Sharks.”

She wanted to bring opera to stage this time and is thrilled the crowd and judges appreciated the music.

“I thought it was something that would spice up the fair,” she said about singing opera. “I just love sharing what I’m so passionate about.”

Alyssa Ebel sings “Blown Away” by Carrie Underwood and Kyle Morgan performs “Almost Home” by Craig Morgan.

(Left) Carrie Clay of Albion performs “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” by KT Tunstall. (Right) Tiffany Poynter of Medina sings “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion.

Clay, 29, said she enjoys performing and getting the crowd going.

“I just love to sing and to entertain people,” she said.