By Luann Waldo | Special to the Times Vedette
Main Street Dance Studio hosted the Bill Riley Talent Show on Friday evening of Panorama Days with a full slate of performers vying for the honor of advancing to the Iowa State Fair in a few days. The competition was stiff with many talented individuals performing from all over the state.
Bill Riley Jr, who hosts the event at the State Fair, was in attendance and commented on how well the young women and men performed. He urged everyone who was not selected to advance to try again, as they were all “winners” in his eyes and deserve the opportunity to compete at the next level.
Taking top honors in the sprout division were, from the left: Faith Scott, 10 years of age, of Johnston with a piano solo, third place; Brielle Coil, 11, of Stuart with a lyrical dance, second place; and Zara Fortney, 7, of Des Moines with a vocal solo, first place, along with Riley.
The senior division winners were, from the left: Mariann Rose Scott, 13, of Des Moines with a violin solo, third place; Nella Rivas, 16, of Panora, lyrical dance, second place; Camden Lewis, 18, of Des Moines, first place with a classical flute solo and Riley.
Fortney and Lewis will perform at the Iowa State Fair.
Judges of the event were Emily Clouser, Riley Ferris and Andrew King, who indicated it was a very difficult decision in selecting the winners.