Angelle, Johnson claim La. Farm Bureau Talent Contest Titles
By Chuck Cannon
Louisiana Farm Bureau News
10-year-old Rowen Angelle of St. Martin Parish danced as Cruella de Vil to win the Junior Division of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Youth Talent Contest.
NEW ORLEANS — A St. Martin Parish dancer and West Carroll Parish vocalist won their respective talent divisions at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s Centennial Celebration June 24 at the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans.
Rowen Angelle, 10, claimed the Junior Talent crown, while singer Brenna Landry from Lafourche Parish finished first runner-up and dancer Cooper Becnel, representing Calcasieu Parish, was second runner-up.
The Senior Talent winner was vocalist Olivia Diane Johnson, 14, from West Carroll Parish, with fellow singer Kinsey Waits from Vermilion Parish finishing as first runner-up and dancer Allie Zeringue from Assumption Parish as second runner-up.
Judge Tracy LeMieux, who owns the Art Factory in Lake Charles, said all of the acts were outstanding.
“It was difficult to pick a winner,” she said. “It was obvious they gave everything they had.”
In explaining the vote for Johnson, judge Jim Hogg, a guitarist and singer who has performed with country artist Ricky Skaggs, said she was not just a singer, but a vocalist.
“She had fantastic pitch, dynamics and an ability to connect with the audience,” he said. “Her performance was very moving.”
14-year-old Olivia Diane Johnson of West Carroll Parish won the Senior Division of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Youth Talent Contest with a vocal performance of The Breakup Song by Francesca Battistelli.
The third judge, Doug Stone with the LSU School of Music, said the word that came to mind as he reflected on Johnson’s performance was ”soulful.”
“She had incredible phrasing, rhythmic poignancy and an overall powerful presentation,” he said.
Johnson said she’s been singing since the age of 6.
“I sang in church choirs and lots of pageants,” she said. “Lately, people have been asking me to sing at festivals; it’s a lot of fun.”
As far as her selection of “Breakup Song,” Johnson said she felt there were a lot of people who needed to hear it.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on now, and I felt like that songs means a lot,” she said.
Commenting on Waits’ performance, LeMieux said she was moved to tears. “It was believable,” LeMieux said. “It gave me chills.” Waits said she’s been active in theatre since the age of 7. “I’ve had years of training in both vocals and acting,” she said. “I’m actually in the musical Les Miserables, playing this character, so it’s bee a long training process.”
LeMieux also commented on Zeringue’s dance number. “She was very passionate,” LeMieux said. “She is a powerful, strong dancer.”
Commenting on Angelle’s dance performance, Hogg said it’s difficult for anyone to entertain a room of 500 people. “This lady did it,” Hogg said. “She took some risks, was tasteful and was entertaining.” LeMieux agreed.
“She entertained from the moment she stepped on the stage,” LeMieux said. “She was the complete package.” Angelle said she enjoys jazz, dancing and acting. “It took quite a few months to get ready for tonight,” Angelle said. “Dancing is fun and I want to do it for the rest of my life.”
In describing Landry’s performance, Stone said what stood out to him was the accuracy of her pitch. “Her intonation was flawlessly constant throughout,” he said. “She blew me away.” Landry said she’s been singing since the age of 5. “I work with an organization called Louisiana Kids,” the 13-year-old said. “I perform and it’s fun. I take voice lessons. I’ve been working on this song for about a year.”
The winners of the junior and senior talent contests each received a $250 cash prize. First runners-up received a $150 cash prize and second runners-up each received a $100 cash prize.