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| Talent Quest Florida is proud to present its largest and most qualified panel of judges ever to participate in this regional final. We appreciate every one of their unique talents and abilities. Thank you all for your commitment to this contest. Without you, we couldn't exist. |
This is Dave's third year judging Talent Quest Florida and he is honored to be asked again to participate. Each year
he has enjoyed the opportunity to watch, listen and experience the talent Florida has to offer.
Dave has an extensive background in music. After college he worked as a high school music teacher and has
performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus under the direction of the late Margaret Hawkins. He has also
sung with the Denver Gay Men's Chorus and the St. Petersburg Gay Men's Chorus. He has also dabbled in
community theater.
Dave would like to wish the best of luck to all of the contestants in Talent Quest Florida 2008. He looks forward to
sending the best of the best to Lauglin, Nev. for the nationals.
he has enjoyed the opportunity to watch, listen and experience the talent Florida has to offer.
Dave has an extensive background in music. After college he worked as a high school music teacher and has
performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus under the direction of the late Margaret Hawkins. He has also
sung with the Denver Gay Men's Chorus and the St. Petersburg Gay Men's Chorus. He has also dabbled in
community theater.
Dave would like to wish the best of luck to all of the contestants in Talent Quest Florida 2008. He looks forward to
sending the best of the best to Lauglin, Nev. for the nationals.
| DAVE SOMMERS |
Trevor is the Founder & Artistic Director of Gypsy Productions Inc. The Gulf Coast's only Gay-owned and Operated Professional Theatre
company providing alternative theater experiences to the Tampa Bay area.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Trevor has been working in theatre in one capacity or another for 30 years. He graduated from California
University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Speech Communications and Mass Media. Mr. Keller trained in classical and opera music for 17
years before branching in to the professional theater arena. Prior to moving to Florida in 1993, Trevor performed as Mr. Gay Gulf Coast All
American.
Currently Trevor is directing the upcoming Production of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde to open at the Ritz Ybor August
29, 2008.
company providing alternative theater experiences to the Tampa Bay area.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Trevor has been working in theatre in one capacity or another for 30 years. He graduated from California
University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Speech Communications and Mass Media. Mr. Keller trained in classical and opera music for 17
years before branching in to the professional theater arena. Prior to moving to Florida in 1993, Trevor performed as Mr. Gay Gulf Coast All
American.
Currently Trevor is directing the upcoming Production of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde to open at the Ritz Ybor August
29, 2008.
| TREVOR KELLER |
Donal, originally from Dublin, Ireland, has been working and living in Tampa Bay for the past five years. As an accomplished choral
director, recording artist and composer, Noonan's work has taken him all over the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and much of
mainland Europe.
He had been featured on television and radio many times and has worked with various choral ensembles throughout Ireland and in the
Tampa Bay area.
This is Donal's second year as a judge for Talent Quest Florida and he is very much looking forward to this year's competition. He'd like
to wish every contestant the best of luck in 2008.
director, recording artist and composer, Noonan's work has taken him all over the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and much of
mainland Europe.
He had been featured on television and radio many times and has worked with various choral ensembles throughout Ireland and in the
Tampa Bay area.
This is Donal's second year as a judge for Talent Quest Florida and he is very much looking forward to this year's competition. He'd like
to wish every contestant the best of luck in 2008.
| DONAL NOONAN |
Jim first experienced Talent Quest when he accidentally stumbled upon the national competition while visiting Laughlin, Nev., in 2007.
Since then he has helped judge several local Talent Quest Florida contests.
Jim is the lead singer of First 4 Quartet and a featured soloist for the First Baptist Church of Dade City. He has recorded three albums
and most recently co-produced the album "Church Street Christmas."
At one time, Jim co-owned a recording studio and he now works as a writer and organizational development specialist. He is also the
owner of JSA Designs Graphic Arts and Design Studio and designed this year's Talent Quest Florida program.
Since then he has helped judge several local Talent Quest Florida contests.
Jim is the lead singer of First 4 Quartet and a featured soloist for the First Baptist Church of Dade City. He has recorded three albums
and most recently co-produced the album "Church Street Christmas."
At one time, Jim co-owned a recording studio and he now works as a writer and organizational development specialist. He is also the
owner of JSA Designs Graphic Arts and Design Studio and designed this year's Talent Quest Florida program.
| JIM SARTAIN |
Christopher is an actor, model, songwriter and vocal coach who has spent most of his life in the spotlight.
While serving in the Air Force in the 1970s, he joined a professional singing and acting troupe in Minot North Dakota. In 1979 he
co-founded the funk, blues, disco show band Reflections, which produced two records. Since then he has toured with several bands,
singing lead and backup vocals a well as working in management and promotions.
In 2000, Christopher started BCJ Entertainment Wizards and performs as DJ/KJ Shmuu. He has ran several successful karaoke
contests in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
This is his first year judging Talent Quest Florida.
While serving in the Air Force in the 1970s, he joined a professional singing and acting troupe in Minot North Dakota. In 1979 he
co-founded the funk, blues, disco show band Reflections, which produced two records. Since then he has toured with several bands,
singing lead and backup vocals a well as working in management and promotions.
In 2000, Christopher started BCJ Entertainment Wizards and performs as DJ/KJ Shmuu. He has ran several successful karaoke
contests in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
This is his first year judging Talent Quest Florida.
| CHRISTOPHER WALTERS |
Jenny is a former winner of Talent Quest Florida and is the only competitor to ever win dual categories in the
same year. In 2005 Jenny took the top prizes in both the women's country and contemporary categories. Since
then she has competed on the national level several times and has finished consistently in the top 20.
She has been a judge for Talent Quest Florida ever since she won the competition and has traveled throughout
the state to judge local finals. She is excited to be back behind the judging tables and is looking forward to the
biggest Talent Quest Florida ever.
Jenny continues to sing across the southeastern United States and is currently enrolled in nursing school. She
lives in Largo with her husband, Jay.
same year. In 2005 Jenny took the top prizes in both the women's country and contemporary categories. Since
then she has competed on the national level several times and has finished consistently in the top 20.
She has been a judge for Talent Quest Florida ever since she won the competition and has traveled throughout
the state to judge local finals. She is excited to be back behind the judging tables and is looking forward to the
biggest Talent Quest Florida ever.
Jenny continues to sing across the southeastern United States and is currently enrolled in nursing school. She
lives in Largo with her husband, Jay.
| JENNY JONES |
Louanne is a former cruise director for Royal Carribbean Cruise Lines, where she worked with dozens of top-name entertainers like Davy
Jones, Charo and Clift Roberts and many more Vegas celebrities.
This is Louanne's first year on the judging panel of Talent Quest Florida and has traveled to several of this year's venues to judge the local
finals. Louanne lives in Tampa and is a financial advisor with Raymond James and Associates in Tampa and she’s excited to be part of
Talent Quest Florida this year to bring music back into her life.
She’d like to wish our contestants good luck.
Jones, Charo and Clift Roberts and many more Vegas celebrities.
This is Louanne's first year on the judging panel of Talent Quest Florida and has traveled to several of this year's venues to judge the local
finals. Louanne lives in Tampa and is a financial advisor with Raymond James and Associates in Tampa and she’s excited to be part of
Talent Quest Florida this year to bring music back into her life.
She’d like to wish our contestants good luck.
| LOUANNE WALTERS |
Brandy is an accomplished singer, songwriter and musician who has traveled the country extensively with a Florida-based gospel group
for more than six years. She has her own music publishing company and has been a licensed cosmetologist for more than 10 years.
Brandy has worked as an independent pageant coach for individuals and an Event Coordinator. Currently she teaches cosmetology full
time and owns her own business as a consultant with Tastefully Simple, a gourmet food company that specializes in easy to prepare
gourmet foods and free in-home taste testings.
This is her second year as a Talent Quest judge, and she is honored to be part of this competition. She wants to wish the best of luck to
all the 2008 contestants and she believes this will be a great contest.
for more than six years. She has her own music publishing company and has been a licensed cosmetologist for more than 10 years.
Brandy has worked as an independent pageant coach for individuals and an Event Coordinator. Currently she teaches cosmetology full
time and owns her own business as a consultant with Tastefully Simple, a gourmet food company that specializes in easy to prepare
gourmet foods and free in-home taste testings.
This is her second year as a Talent Quest judge, and she is honored to be part of this competition. She wants to wish the best of luck to
all the 2008 contestants and she believes this will be a great contest.
Kris is a long-time supporter of Talent Quest Florida and hosted the annual contest in his own bar, Grand Central Station, in 2004, 2005 and
2006. Following the 2005 contest, Kris attended the national finals and saw first hand what talent contestants face on the national stage.
Since leaving the bar business, Kris has appeared in several local community theater productions, including South Pacific, Urinetown and
Cabaret. He recently returned from a trip to New York for a stage reading of The Souls of Her Feet at the Playwrights Horizons North Studio on
West 42nd Street in Manhattan. He is currently performing in Will Rogers' Follies with the Manatee Players.
This is Kris's first year judging Talent Quest Florida and he is excited to be part of the biggest Talent Quest Florida contest in its history.
2006. Following the 2005 contest, Kris attended the national finals and saw first hand what talent contestants face on the national stage.
Since leaving the bar business, Kris has appeared in several local community theater productions, including South Pacific, Urinetown and
Cabaret. He recently returned from a trip to New York for a stage reading of The Souls of Her Feet at the Playwrights Horizons North Studio on
West 42nd Street in Manhattan. He is currently performing in Will Rogers' Follies with the Manatee Players.
This is Kris's first year judging Talent Quest Florida and he is excited to be part of the biggest Talent Quest Florida contest in its history.
Chuck is one of America's great voice talents. With nearly three decades of experience, Chuck has a host of commercial and
not-for-profit work to his credit. His voice lends itself to any style or character.
This is his first year as a Talent Quest Florida judge and is excited to be a part of the contest. Chuck was the morning television traffic
anchor for Bay News 9 in Tampa Bay and also held a fill-in anchor position on that station's morning news. He is also the executive
director of the Clip Film Festival.
He has done voice work with radio stations across the U.S. and has been the official voice of several corporate ad campaigns. Every
year he is the emcee for the Chicagoland Showcase in Arlington Heights, Ill.
not-for-profit work to his credit. His voice lends itself to any style or character.
This is his first year as a Talent Quest Florida judge and is excited to be a part of the contest. Chuck was the morning television traffic
anchor for Bay News 9 in Tampa Bay and also held a fill-in anchor position on that station's morning news. He is also the executive
director of the Clip Film Festival.
He has done voice work with radio stations across the U.S. and has been the official voice of several corporate ad campaigns. Every
year he is the emcee for the Chicagoland Showcase in Arlington Heights, Ill.
CHUCK HENSON
In the past 7 years Jeanette Goldman has been an on hands partner in a recording studio, PRO STAR Recording in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Jeannette is responsible for going out to music venues to scout talent, interact with musical artists, in order to market, promote, and sell
the studio services.
She also owned and managed a retail store specializing in guitars and small percussion instruments, music education, instruction and
new and used CD’s. Jeanette has been teaching guitar and songwriting for many years and has been collaborating with other musicians
since she could play the first 15 open chords on a guitar.
This is her first year associated with Talent Quest Florida and PRO STAR Recording is one of this year's sponsors.
Jeannette is responsible for going out to music venues to scout talent, interact with musical artists, in order to market, promote, and sell
the studio services.
She also owned and managed a retail store specializing in guitars and small percussion instruments, music education, instruction and
new and used CD’s. Jeanette has been teaching guitar and songwriting for many years and has been collaborating with other musicians
since she could play the first 15 open chords on a guitar.
This is her first year associated with Talent Quest Florida and PRO STAR Recording is one of this year's sponsors.
| JEANETTE GOLDMAN |
| JUDY B. GOODE |
Judy B. Goode has entertained the Tampa Bay area for years and continues to present her cabaret-style act throughout the area with
her accompanist Paul Thomas. Judy sings, dances and is known for her comedic take on classic entertainers dating back to the 1970s
and beyond.
The diminutive entertainer has a strong following throughout the State of Florida and performs in clubs right here in Ybor City. Several
years ago she auditioned to be Regis Philbin's co-host after Kathy Lee Gifford left the popular national morning show "Live!"
By day Judy is an ad sales representative. This is the first year Judy has joined the Talent Quest Florida judging panel and she's looking
forward to seeing the talent Florida has to offer.
her accompanist Paul Thomas. Judy sings, dances and is known for her comedic take on classic entertainers dating back to the 1970s
and beyond.
The diminutive entertainer has a strong following throughout the State of Florida and performs in clubs right here in Ybor City. Several
years ago she auditioned to be Regis Philbin's co-host after Kathy Lee Gifford left the popular national morning show "Live!"
By day Judy is an ad sales representative. This is the first year Judy has joined the Talent Quest Florida judging panel and she's looking
forward to seeing the talent Florida has to offer.
| SHARON GWOZDZ |
| TOM YOUNG |
| KRIS DOUBLES |
Sharon's background is as diverse as her last name (pronounced Ga-Vusch). The financial planner has a background in performance
arts with a double minor in political science and philosophy. She has always had a passion for the arts a considered a career on the
stage before deciding to enter the world of finances.
She has always had a love of dance and she says if she could meet anyone in the world, it would be Isadora Duncan, the visionary
dance artist of the 19th and early 20th centuries who many say revolutionized dance.
Sharon is active in many aspects of the Tampa Bay community and volunteers on several boards of non-profit organizations. This is
her first year as a Talent Quest Florida judge and is excited to get back into the world of entertainment.
arts with a double minor in political science and philosophy. She has always had a passion for the arts a considered a career on the
stage before deciding to enter the world of finances.
She has always had a love of dance and she says if she could meet anyone in the world, it would be Isadora Duncan, the visionary
dance artist of the 19th and early 20th centuries who many say revolutionized dance.
Sharon is active in many aspects of the Tampa Bay community and volunteers on several boards of non-profit organizations. This is
her first year as a Talent Quest Florida judge and is excited to get back into the world of entertainment.
Thomas moved to Florida from the Washington, DC area in April 2007 to continue his career as a Psychotherapist. He holds an MA in
Theology and an MS in Pastoral Counseling and is currently completing his Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling.
Musically Thomas studied voice at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. MD, and was a member of the Baltimore Opera (tenor)
from 1990 to 1992. He has appeared numerous times for charitable organizations singing selections from Phantom of the Opera, Les
Miserabes and other Broadway favorites. Thomas is in demand locally as a public speaker and lecturer in his field.
This is his first year as a Talent Quest Florida judge.
Theology and an MS in Pastoral Counseling and is currently completing his Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling.
Musically Thomas studied voice at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. MD, and was a member of the Baltimore Opera (tenor)
from 1990 to 1992. He has appeared numerous times for charitable organizations singing selections from Phantom of the Opera, Les
Miserabes and other Broadway favorites. Thomas is in demand locally as a public speaker and lecturer in his field.
This is his first year as a Talent Quest Florida judge.
| BRANDY SWISHER |
