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Smithfield’s Bria Kelly and Yorktown’s Terry Smith among Sea Level contest finalists

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Bria Kelly, a teen tunesmith from Smithfield, is among the finalists for this year’s Sea Level Singer-Songwriter Festival Emerging Artist Showcase.

Contestants were asked to submit recordings of songs they composed. From among 70 entries, a panel of a dozen judges selected finalists. These ten musicians will get the chance to perform live Saturday, April 7 at the Chrysler Museum’s Kaufman Theatre in Norfolk.

The Peninsula has produced two of the last three Emerging Artist winners. In 2009, Williamsburg’s Nicole Belanus took the prize. Paul Norfleet of Newport News won in 2010.

Here’s the list of this year’s finalists:

Terry Smith, Yorktown

Trey Andrews, Norfolk

Mike Binetti, Norfolk

Alissa Feudo, Newport News

Luke Hartman, Norfolk

Bria Kelly, Smithfield

Jenn Lawyer, Virginia Beach

Mallory McKendry, Norfolk

Newt Miller, Virginia Beach

Nate Sacks, Norfolk

The songwriters are vying for the honor which comes with a set of nice perks.

Radio interviews with Paul Shugrue of WHRV on “Out of the Box,” and Hunter Hughes of WHRV HD3 on “Hunter at Sunrise.”

An appearance on the “Hampton Roads Show” on WAVY 10, April 20

A 10 hour recording session at Clay Garden Recording Studio in Norfolk ($650 value)

A consult with Moore Music (to explore potential booking opportunities)

A $50 gift certificate to Russell’s Music World

The showcase is but one part of an ambitious schedule for the festival. Included is a headlining concert by Shelby Lynne at The Naro Expanded Cinema on Thursday.

Here’s the word from an official news release sent out today:

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A dozen judges reviewed more than seventy entries for this year’s Emerging Artist Showcase competition. It was challenging to pare the list down to the top twenty, and even harder to decide on our top ten finalists. Don’t miss the live performance this Saturday at the Chrysler Museum’s Kaufman Theatre where one winner will be selected. The show starts at 7 pm and all proceeds benefit Tidewater Arts Outreach.

The top ten finalists are:

Trey Andrews

Mike Binetti

Alissa Feudo

Luke Hartman

Bria Kelly

Jenn Lawyer

Mallory McKendry

Newt Miller

Nate Sacks

Congratulations, finalists! Thank you to everyone who submitted for this contest! We encourage you to keep writing, keep playing and try again next year! Thank you to River Notes House Concerts for supporting this event.

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