Sewickley Vocalist Advances to Kean Quest Semi-Finals

A Quaker Valley High School student is moving on to the semi-final round of the Kean Quest Talent Search.

Based on scores from a panel of judges, Emma Huckestein of Sewickley and 14 others from the "Youth Preliminary Round Two" are moving on to the semi-final competition on Sunday, March 17. 

Emma, 15, a ninth-grader at Quaker Valley, was among 28 acts who performed Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Kean Theatre. Emma sang "Last Name" by Carrie Underwood.

Her hobbies include volunteering and working with various artists at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. She is also interested in "Liespotting" — the art of detecting is someone is lying or being deceptive. 

Carmen Michael LoPresti, 18, Jefferson Hills, was voted the favorite among 28 acts. for his rendition of Bobby Darin’s 1959 number one hit “Mack the Knife.”

The 2013 Kean Quest Talent Search is an opportunity for individuals of all ages to showcase their vocal talent and benefits the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund.

In its 10th season, the popular local talent competition, formerly known as Kean Idol, boasts singing sensation and ‘America’s Got Talent’ finalist Jackie Evancho and the face of the Eat n’ Park restaurant chain Sarah Marince as former contestants.

Semi-finalists in the youth competition are:

• Carmen Michael LoPresti, Jefferson Hills
• Ashlyn Beatrice, New Brighton
• Hunter Briggs, Bridgeville
• Madeline Dick, O’Hara Township
• Morgan Engle, Gibsonia
• Emma Huckestein, Sewickley
• Allison Mizgorski, Butler
• Colleen O’Neil, Fenelton
• Arianna Maria Ranallo, Venetia
• Hannah Roadway, Scott Township
• Britainy Schmid, Mount Lebanon
• Alexa Speicher, Fombell
• Shane Treloar, McDonald
• Christina Trocchio, Oakdale
• Erin Warner, Hampton Township