Laurel Holmes has taken aim at fame during the Calgary Stampede’s 31st annual Talent Search.
The friendly 17-year-old Airdrie Koinonia Christian School student performed her song Come and Go for judges and about 300 spectators at the Boyce Theatre, July 12.
Under the glow of purple, blue and pink-gelled spotlights, Holmes serenaded the audience with a musically minimal piece that featured strong vocals.
She performed the original song with the accompaniment of a guitar and received a pleasant ovation after she finished.
The song was born out of Holmes’s wrestling with her own faith.
“It’s a bit of a doubting song. You’re just looking for something,” she said.
“Faith is a complicated issue and sometimes it’s easy to believe in something and sometimes it’s difficult. This was written out of a difficult spot.”
The song was fine-tuned earlier this year at a songwriting workshop at the Epcor Centre for Performing Arts in Calgary and she is content with her diverse musical style, which she classifies as pop, roots and even folk. Her big musical influences are Dallas Green of City and Colour and Alexisonfire.
“He actually signed my guitar,” she said. “I hope his musical power comes into play.”
Holmes will be one of about 70 competitors ages 13 to 21 vying for more than $10,000 in prizes.
First prize will take home $4,000 plus entry in the Canadian Association of Fairs & Exhibitions National Youth Talent Competition in November. Second place receives $2,000 and third wins $750.
Holmes and the other entrants were judged on audience rapport, overall quality, stage presence and natural ability.
A pianist and guitarist since Grade 8, Holmes said she feels very comfortable in her own skin while on stage thanks to her sister.
Older sister Rebecca performed at the same contest when she was in Grade 12 and it helped instil the poise Holmes needed to enter this year’s talent search.
“Her singing and performing gave me confidence,” said Holmes.
While composing her songs and music, it’s always the melody first before putting pen to paper and so far it seems to be a winning formula for the spirited teenager.
“It’s kind of an organic process I’d say,” she said.
If Holmes wins the contest she said the money would be for the flight she will take to Africa in August. She is part of a contingent of youth ambassadors that will visit Rwanda for two weeks, seeing how the money World Vision sends overseas is put to use.
Past winners have included Paul Brant, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald and Trevor Panczak.
Winners will be announced July 16.
