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WVU’s Talent West Virginia names inaugural winners

Talent West Virginia winners and judgesWest Virginia Universities College of Creative Arts hosted Talent West Virginia, a state-wide musical talent contest and fundraiser on April 6. Funds raised through the competition will support West Virginia Public Theatre and their mission to bring the arts to all West Virginians. 

Talent West Virginia consisted of two rounds: a virtual audition and voting round from February 4 - March 8, and the live finale in WVU’s Gluck Theatre. The competition provided three prizes to winning contestants, with its Collegiate/Professional level 1st prize providing $1,500 and a full album recording contract with WVU’s recording label: Mon Hills Records. Its Secondary level 1st prize providing $1,000 and a EP recording contract with Mon Hills Records, and its 2nd prize being selected by the highest vote winner regardless of eligibility level providing $750 and a demo recording production with Mon Hills Records. 

Hosted by WVU Alumna and QVC personality, Kim Parrish kicked off the talent competition with high energy and enthusiasm with musical acts following, providing a memorable night. Judges Rick Modesitt from RMA Presents, Dallas Rogers from Nashville Access, and Keith Jackson Dean of the College of Creative arts facilitated the judging of the acts resulting in choice of finalists with assistance from viewers. 

A local rock band from Huntington, Ducain received Collegiate/Professional level first prize, singer/songwriter from Lewisburg, Lillie King received Secondary level first prize and singer/songwriter from Charleston, Dale Harper received second prize.

The WVU College of Creative Arts would like to give very special thanks to Kim Parrish for being a great host, judges - Rick Modesitt Dallas Rogers and Keith Jackson for doing an excellent job, and to Darko Velichkovski, Mon Hills Records, Active Air Production and the WVU Music Industry Program for their design and production of the event. 

To Learn more about the now annual Talent WV state-wide competition visit talentwv.com