OHIO HAS TALENT 2015

The eighth annual Ohio Has Talent! returns to Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert on Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 with acts from around the state competing and winners chosen by audience vote. Proceeds from the show benefit Community Health Professionals' Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

Ohio Has Talent! Returns To The Niswonger on Feb. 28, 2015

Auditions have been held and the lineup is set for the annual Ohio Has Talent! competition at Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert on Sat. Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.

The benefit show, now in its eighth year, raises funds for the nonprofit Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center. This year’s show features 16 local and regional performers – ranging in age from 12 to 90 – competing for $1,000, $500 and $250 prizes determined by audience votes.

Ohio Has Talent! 2015 contestants:

·         Doug Adams, 31, a singer/guitar player from Celina

·         Eric Adams, 24, a singer/song-writer/guitar player from Celina

·         Awakened Commotion, a cappella group of select eighth to twelfth grade students from Hardin Northern High School in Dola

·         Gabe Bailey, a 12-year-old musician from Berne, Ind. will sing and play piano

·         May Coppler, 12, of Fostoria studies voice, ballet, flute and piano and won back-to-back international talent titles in Las Vegas this summer

·         Yan Coppler of Fostoria received classical training in high school and is a previous winner in her category in Fostoria's Got Talent

·         Sam Duquette, 13, is a vocalist originally from Gibson City, Ill., now living in Van Wert. She will be accompanied by Aaron Cooper, also of Van Wert

·         Alexis Heath, 13, a singer/song-writer/guitar player from St. Henry

·         Kuroi Taka Taiko, Japanese drumming groups from Mississinawa Valley Middle and High School in Union City have played throughout the state and several cities over the past eight years

·         Mack Newman, 90, of Dunkirk; plays pop, country and blues harmonica

·         Tyler Nygren, 16, of Van Wert is an award-winning illusionist who has performed across the country

·         Diana Rose, 12, a vocalist from Coldwater who has placed in several area talent shows

·         Victoria Ruble, 17, a student athlete singer/dancer from Garrett, Ind. currently holds the title of Miss Northeast’s Outstanding Teen 2015 for the Indiana circuit of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen

·         Saxophone Quintet from Delphos St. John’s Schools – consisting of Samantha Stevenson, Madison Fulk, Alexis Deffenbaugh, Haley Rode, and Sara Clossen – a five-part harmony arrangement with four altos and a baritone saxophone.

·         Alex Schlegel, a 16-year-old dancer from Defiance will perform the “Evolution of Dance”

·         Sarah Vanbrocklin, a 13-year-old vocalist from Botkins participates in community theater and has performed in five musicals

The dance duo of Kaden Hohman and Sayler Wise of Van Wert will perform during the vote counting. The dance duo claimed first place in last year’s Ohio Has Talent!

Contestant photos and bios are posted at comhealthpro.org/Ohio_Has_Talent.php and Facebook.com/ComHealthPro.

Tickets start at just $10 through the NPAC ticket office, 419-238-6722 and online at npacvw.ticketforce.com. Select tickets are also available through Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Dr., Van Wert, 419-238-9223.