Performing at Singer Spotlight North Shore on Wednesday, July 28 at Pops Highwood.

Maddie Rose Baird
Maddie's passion for music is matched only by her love of shoes. When told at the age of five she would be singing a church solo on Christmas Eve, her first response "I need new shoes!" The next was, "I think I should have a mic!" A singer was born. 12 year-old Maddie Rose Baird has been singing ever since: in church musicals; at Summer On Stage, her musical theatre camp; as a member of The Jubilate Children's choir; and most recently as a soloist at Orchestra Hall in The Face Of Fashion, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's charity fashion show. Maddie is also a member of The Eileen Boevers Traveling Troupe, a group of young people who perform musical reviews throughout the Chicagoland area. An accomplished musician and dancer, she plays flute and piano and performs annually in a local production of The Nutcracker. Maddie would like to thank Shoe Fly of Highland Park, her voice teacher, Benita Wandell, and her mentor and performance coach, Debbie Miller-Koziarz, an amazing singer herself.

Julia Rose Belsky
Julia is 12 years old and has been singing since she could talk. She just returned from her third summer at Interlochen Arts Camp where she studies voice as well as ceramics, metalsmithing and more. Julia is so happy to have the opportunity to perform again with Singer Spotlight Junior. Julia is currently a member of the Jubilate Chamber and Concert Choirs and is looking forward to touring with choir to perform at Kennedy Center in the Joffrey Ballets production of The Nucracker over Thanksgiving. Thanks go out to Mom, Dad and Drew for their love and patience, and to Kathleen VanDeGraaff for coaching Julia.

Casey Burden
This is Casey Burden's solo debut at Pops. She has also performed in 103.5's Chicago Idol Top 10 competition, sang the Star Spangled Banner for numerous occassions, and has performed in musicals; most recently seen as Rizzo in Lake Forest High Schools performance of Grease. She has been taking voice lessons for the past four years at her high school as well as at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts.

Emily Scott
Emily, a 17-year-old senior-to-be at Highland Park High School, has been singing since she could talk. She currently participates in all of the choirs available at her school, which includes Chorale, Swing Choir, and Madrigal Singers. Emily auditioned for and was chosen to participate in the IMEA District 7 Choir in 2002 and 2003 and the IMEA Jazz Choir in 2003. She also sings solos and in her church choir, and helps with the church musicals for elementary school students, which she participated in when she was younger. Emily previously spent four years with the Jubilate Children's Choir. She participated through Jubilate in the ACDA Conference 1999 and toured with them in London and Paris. Last year, she sang in the choir of the Highland Park Opera Theatre's production of The Marriage of Figaro. She performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last summer in a workshop at the Light Opera Works. Most recently, Emily was seen performing a selection of jazz standards at Singer Spotlight, Jr. in March. Emily wishes to thanks her voice teacher, Kathy Ferrin, and her family, who have inspired her and constantly encouraged her to pursue her love of music.

Brooklyn
Brooklyn's interest in the arts dates back to 1991 when, at 6 months of age, she modeled pajamas for Yonkers in a series of print ads. She started developing her singing career at age 4, as a student in the Kindermusik program, under the direction of Jacquelyn Negus. At the ripe old age of 7, she became a regular on the Karaoke circuit . . . and, over the years, has frequented Karaoke Kafe, PJ Williker's, Gale Street Inn and was instrumental in the demise of Bellini's and Uptown Family Saloon. Highland Park's Exmoor Country Club was the site of her first professional gig where, at the age of 10, she performed 5 solo numbers for a family event. A Singer Spotlight Jr. alum (March, 2002 @ Fitzgerald's) Brooklyn has more recently performed with Cammi's NRG in Rockford & Runnin' Blue in Lake Chautauqua, NY. Brooklyn's other musical interests include trumpet & piano. Her career ambition to become a Band Director may provide the motivation to become proficient in many more instruments. In her life beyond music, she plays softball, enjoys water sports, loves to read and, like many of her contemporaries, holds a Masters in the Art of Shopping. Brooklyn extends her sincere appreciation to all who have come to share in this experience and support her efforts to morph into a Motown Legend. She's dedicated this performance to her loverboy, Francisco!!

Zach Perlmutter
Zach Perlmutter , age 14, has been interested in music since he was a young child. He has participated in the Lake Forest Children's Theatre since he was six years old. Oliver, Grease, James and the Giant Peach, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Cinderella, Once Upon a Mattress, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan are just some of the shows in which Zach has performed. Zach also enjoys singing. He has been a member of his temple's choir since he was 9 years old. He also joined his school chorus in 5th grade and continues to participate. Along with singing lessons for 3 years, Zach has taken vocal and acting lessons at Piven Theatre and Apple Tree Theatre. He was awarded a Gold Medal at the IGSMA competition in the Winter of 2001. Other areas of musical interest include - piano, cello and percussion. Zach has taken drum lessons and participates in his middle school's band and jazz band. Zach continues to enjoy musical theatre and attends as many shows as possible. He has a love for musicals and enjoys singing all the songs from them.