Justine Smigel
Hometown: Rochester, MA
Singing: Angel By: Sarah McGlaughlin

How did you get interested in music in the first place? How long have you been performing?
“I realized I liked to sing when I was 10 years old and I decided to compete in a karaoke competition that was for adults on a cruise but was encouraged to go up on stage just for fun. I’ve been singing ever since!”

What kind(s) of music do you enjoy best? Any favorite performers or favorite songs? And why do you like them?
“Growing up, I always loved singing country songs by Martina McBride who has always been my idol. I liked country a lot then but now I listen to everything. I love trance and therapeutic genre because it clears my mind and controls my mood. Crystal Castles is a unique band to me because they are a very distinct sound – musically & vocally amazing. They have inspired me to try and find my own distinct sound, to make music that I love but also something people haven’t heard before. Even though they are considered house/dup-step music, I don’t view them in that light. They are bold and powerful, yet Alice has one of the most angelic voices I have ever heard. Crystal Castles is definitely one of my favorite groups because of their song “Empathy” by Crystal Castles which was the very first song I heard by them and still remains my favorite song of all time, to this day. I don’t think it will ever get old to me.”

What differentiates you from other musicians?
“I believe if heard & known to the public, I could send out a really great message about life worth living, changes that should be made and the love everyone should have for each other. I find that there are so many reasons to be happy in this world but people continue to focus more on the negative aspects of it which is okay if you’re going to try and change them into positive. I want people to know that mistakes are experiences to make you a stronger person and that no life can go without them but at the same time, it shouldn’t be something that will ruin your future because no one has control of your life but yourself so I want more people to see that through my lyrics and musical ideas so that they can make all the difference too. I believe if more people saw music that showed soul meaning, then they too would find harmony even through the hardships of life.”

Why do you deserve to be the next ‘Star of the Day?’
“I think I deserve to be the star of the day because I know what I would do with real stardom, I know the person I am and think I deserve to be acknowledged for the passion I put in everything I do, along with the love and care I show for everything and everyone around me. No matter what, I will always strive to be the best person that I can be and that to me is what really makes a star.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
“My greatest accomplishment this year has been extending my vocal range as much as I have. I plan to join the opera ensemble in college to keep working hard for it.”

Amy Moquin
Hometown: Peabody, MA
Singing: Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man

Where have you performed?
“I am very lucky that I can say I have had the opportunity to perform in some of Bostons greatest venues. Hard Rock Café, Skullers Jazz Club, and House of Blues. I have also performed in front of a crowd of close to 40,000 people at the Danvers Fireworks, and in an almost equally large of crowd at the Peabody International festival.  In addition I have performed on several episodes of Talent Quest TV Show, and in several fundraisers and contests over the years, pretty much anywhere that give me a microphone.”

What kind(s) of music do you enjoy best? Any favorite performers or favorite songs? And why do you like them?
“I love to listen to, and sing, many different genres of music. I don’t think I could pick any one as a favorite. What I listen too usually depends on what kind of mood I am at the time, and the same goes for what I choose to perform. Some days I am little bit country, some days, a little bit rock and roll…You know how the song goes. If I did have to choose one person who I feel has influenced me as a performer, I would say Dame Shirley Bassey. The woman owns the stage. I have never seen a performer who has more confidence on stage, a better connection with the audience, and who truly enjoys herself! My goal when performing is to leave the same impression on the audience as she does.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“Still singing, anywhere and everywhere. If I were to pick an ultimate goal, it would be to sing a James Bond theme song. Always wanted to do that since I was a kid, like my Idol, Dame Shirley Bassey.”

Tell us how you feel about being on the show?
“I have wanted to be on the show since I was a little girl, sitting in front of the TV at my grandmothers every Sunday morning at 11am singing “Star of the day, who will it be” along with Dave Maynard.”

What differentiates you from other musicians?
“Am I different???? I am not so sure. Maybe just the fact that I do this, simply because I love to. Not looking to get discovered, although it would certainly be welcomed, but I do it because it makes me happy and feel whole, and I want my kids to understand it is important to do something that you love doing, even if there is no brass ring to grab onto. Sometimes just swinging is enough.”

Caitlin Ford
Hometown: Scituate, MA
Singing: Someone Like You By: Adele

How did you get interested in music in the first place?
“As long as I can remember I have been singing. I really don’t know what made me start. I gained an interest in song writing, however, around the age of 16.”

What kind(s) of music do you enjoy best? Any favorite performers or favorite songs? And why do you like them?
“I guess you would classify it as “indie folk” and “indie pop”. I also really enjoy folk punk, and hardcore. My favorite performers are always going to be Regina Spektor, Florence Welch, Laura Stevenson, and Andrea Estella. They are all amazing singers, with unique styles, their music is what inspires me.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
“Getting accepted to Berklee. Or playing Penny Pingelton in Hairspray at Company Theatre.”

How do you like to spend your free time? Do you have hobbies?
“I act a lot, perform in musical after musical. I love ballet and yoga. I get tattoos often. I also enjoy eating, a lot. I also work with children, which is usually fun.”

What differentiates you from other musicians?
“I feel as if a lot of singers don’t sing from their souls. That’s why I love Adele, Florence, Regina, all of them. They sing from the core of their being, they put all of their feelings out there in their music. I do that same thing.”

Why do you deserve to be the next ‘Star of the Day?’
“I’ve worked so hard my entire life to get where I am. I was self taught until last year. I taught myself how to sing by listening to my favorite singers, and I taught myself piano by listening to Regina Spektor and locking myself in my basement with a tiny keyboard. No one helped me other than myself. I earned the roles I have played in musicals, and then I was taught techniques by my directors. I earned my acceptance to The Hartt School where I had formal vocal lessons, and I earned my acceptance to Berklee. All I have wanted and cared about my entire life is music.”

Charisse Shields
Hometown: Lunenburg, MA
Singing: If I Were A Boy By: Beyonce

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“I would love to be performing in musical theatre for a living. Not necessarily on Broadway either. I’ve never really had a chance to travel so I would like to be able to perform in different theaters around the country, possibly on a cruise ship.”

What is the most fun thing you have ever done?
“I just joined a roller derby league so, right now, it’s the most fun thing also, working at King Richard’s Faire is the most fun job I’ve ever had.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
“I was recently in a National Geographic documentary on the Salem Witch Trials. The part was discredited, but it’s the most exposure I’ve ever had.”

Tell us how you feel about being on the show?
“I am extremely excited and nervous to be on the show. My family and friends have been telling me for years to try out and I could never get up the guts to do it. I’ve finally gotten over enough of my stage fright to put on the performance that I want to though.”

What differentiates you from other musicians? “Two things differentiate me. First, I’ve been on both sides of the performance; being in the spotlight as a performer and being behind the scenes as a stagehand, so I know a lot about what it takes to put on a good show. Second, I am very diverse in my musical tastes and abilities. I can (and have) performed country, rock, musical theatre, pop, R&B and opera. I’m willing to step outside my comfort zone and try something new. That’s how I discovered that I liked performing all those different genres.”

Why do you deserve to be the next ‘Star of the Day?
“I’ve got the stage presence and I LOVE what I do. I’m constantly trying to improve and push myself farther as an artist. I would be completely content if I could make my livelihood performing.”

Kristina Musto
Homtown: Lynn, MA
Singing: All You Wanted By: Michelle Branch

What kind(s) of music do you enjoy best?  Any favorite performers or favoritesongs?  And why do you like them?
“I really enjoy alternative and acoustic music, though I also enjoy rock and bluesy music too. I love Alanis Morissette and KT Tunstall. Alanis is real, her lyrics are relative to my life at times, and I love her voice. KT’s style of music is very original and is full of emotion.”

How would you describe yourself to someone who does not know you?
“I’m usually quiet, and I’m definitely better with words when I’m writing them rather than speaking. I’ve been a vegetarian for two years, ten months. I’m 17. I’m a senior in high school. Music has always been my greatest influence. It’s been my outlet through everything high school (and life in general) has thrown at me.”

What differentiates you from other musicians?
“I write and compose my own music, which I record on an 8-Track recorder rather than using a DAW on a computer.”

How would you describe your musical style?
“Acoustic Gone Mad.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
“I held an Autism Benefit concert/fundraiser, the “Rock For Autism” last August. We raised 500 dollars and donated it to Autism Speaks.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“Five years from now, I would like to be performing as a full time job. Though if that doesn’t work out, I want to go into music therapy and psychology.”