‘Ohio Has Talent’ contestants named

Van Wert independent/CHP information

Contestants will be competing for prize money in the seventh annual Ohio Has Talent!  at Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert on Saturday, February 8, at 7 p.m.

Sponsored in part by Citizens National Bank, the benefit show for Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center features 20 local and regional performers competing for $1,000, $500 and $250 prizes determined by audience votes.

2014 Ohio Has Talent contestants:

• Jon Albert of Fort Wayne, Ind., is a dancer who combines popping, b-boying and hip-hop styles in her dance routines.
• Hayleigh Bacome and Amanda Leis of Delphos are the members of a contemporary dance duo.
• Gabriel Beming of Sidney and Caroline Prakel of Versailles are a creative piano duet with antics inspired by Victor Borge.
• Shay Bolton of Rockford is a vocal soloist who also plays piano and dances.
• Ann and James Brake, a brother-sister duo from Ohio City; James plays piano and Ann dances.
• Makenna Cabe of Sidney was the first place winner of the Shelby County Apple Fest Talent Contest.
• May Coppler of Fostoria studies voice, ballet, flute and piano. She was the winner of her age group in Fostoria’s Got Talent 2012 and 2013.
• Yan Coppler of Fostoria received classical training in high school and is a previous winner in her category in Fostoria’s Got Talent.
• Hailey and Heather Harshbarger from Anna. Hailey plays piano and they share lead vocals and harmony.
• Kaden Hohman and Sayler Wise of Van Wert are an award-winning dance duo. They placed third at Ohio Has Talent! in 2012 and got a casting call for “America’s Got Talent”.
• Michaella Johnson of Van Wert loves music. She takes voice lessons and plays trumpet and piano.
• Schylar Miller and Cole Wilson of Spencerville perform a vocal/alto saxophone duet.

• Craig Muhlenkamp of Coldwater and Danny Schneible of Russia are a partner juggling team that combine juggling, comedy and music.
• Tyler Nygren of Van Wert is an award-winning illusionist who has performed across the country.
• Katlayne Poorman of Fort Wayne, Ind., performs in talent shows and pageants and auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” last season.
• Victoria Ruble of Garrett, Ind., is a vocalist who hopes to pursue music as a career.
• Shelby County Line is a country band that has opened for national acts and plays area festivals and fairs. Members include Paul Luft of Yorkshire, Ben Tuttle of St. Marys, Cody Paul of Minster, and Michael Molasky of New Bremen.
• Danielle Stoller grew up in Latty and is now a senior at Illinois State University. She has played classical violin since she was 6 years old.
• Hanna Tumbusch of St. Henry has taken vocal lessons and performed for audiences since she was 9.
• Jimina Willis is a vocalist from Beavercreek.

Alex Wunder, 2013 “Ohio Has Talent” winner, will perform during the vote counting. Wunder is a talented vocalist who enjoys singing the classic songs of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s and putting his own spin to them. The high school sophomore from Kettering has won other talent competitions and sang the National Anthem at a Cincinnati Bengals game this year.

Contestant photos and bios are posted at www.ComHealthPro.org/OhioHasTalent.php.

Tickets start at just $10 through the NPAC ticket office, open Monday through Friday, from noon – 4 p.m., online at npacvw.ticketforce.com or at Community Health Professionals, 419.238.9223.