Tara Canady
Braintree
Singing: Many the Miles By: Sara Bareilles

How long have you been performing?
“Since I was 3 or 4, putting on shows for family in nothing but cowboy boots singing Patsy Cline.”

What kind(s) of music do you enjoy best?  Any favorite performers or favorite
songs?  And why do you like them?
“I appreciate every kind of music; I have a soft spot for Adele and Sara Bareilles, two powerhouse soulful female singers that not only write amazing songs but put on great shows and sing from the heart; I also have a soft spot for fellow Berklee Student John Mayer; one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“Five years from now I’d love to own a successful bakery (that also features live music!)”

What is the most fun thing you have ever done?
“The most fun thing I’ve ever done would probably have to be waiting 12 hours in the rain to audition for American Idol. Though it was a long day, I met some awesome and very talented people!”

How do you like to spend your free time?  Do you have hobbies?
“I love spending time with my daughter Alexis, Baking, Fishing, and of course, singing!”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
“My greatest accomplishment so far would probably be returning to school after becoming a single parent, and not giving up!”

Shea Rose
Hometown: Boston, MA
Singing: Rock n’ Rose  By: Shea Rose

How would you describe your musical style?

“I can say that I am a soulful, feisty, rockin’ storyteller and performer with traces of Blues, Hip Hop, Folk, Jazz, and Rock influences.  I find comfort in both a Janis Joplin blood curdling scream and a soothing Marvin Gaye groan, so when I write songs, they encompass both sentiments – the raw and the sensitive.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?

“I am so very grateful to be studying at Berklee College of Music.  It has changed my life.  Through their support and guidance, I’ve had the opportunity to do some very cool things like appear on the 2010 BET Awards, travel to Athens, Greece to study music and perform, record with drumstress Cindy Blackman in Naples, Italy, host the weekly online events video guide “What’s Happening at Berklee,” open for Amel Larriuex (one of my influences), meet Queen Latifah, record a remake of Queen Latifah’s hit U.N.I.T.Y, and become a spokesmodel CoverGirl – ‘The Queen Collection.’  I feel so blessed!”

Who would you say has most inspired you?

“My family is my rock, more then I realize at times.  They have supported me in this endeavor, which makes this roller coaster ride much smoother.  I dedicate all of my performances to my late Great Aunt Lillian.  She taught me how to be a lady.”

Athene Wilson
Dorchester, MA
Singing: Chain of Fools By: Aretha Franklin

Shea Rose
Hometown: Boston, MA
Singing: Rock n’ Rose  By: Shea Rose

How would you describe your musical style?

“I can say that I am a soulful, feisty, rockin’ storyteller and performer with traces of Blues, Hip Hop, Folk, Jazz, and Rock influences.  I find comfort in both a Janis Joplin blood curdling scream and a soothing Marvin Gaye groan, so when I write songs, they encompass both sentiments – the raw and the sensitive.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?

“I am so very grateful to be studying at Berklee College of Music.  It has changed my life.  Through their support and guidance, I’ve had the opportunity to do some very cool things like appear on the 2010 BET Awards, travel to Athens, Greece to study music and perform, record with drumstress Cindy Blackman in Naples, Italy, host the weekly online events video guide “What’s Happening at Berklee,” open for Amel Larriuex (one of my influences), meet Queen Latifah, record a remake of Queen Latifah’s hit U.N.I.T.Y, and become a spokesmodel CoverGirl – ‘The Queen Collection.’  I feel so blessed!”

Who would you say has most inspired you?

“My family is my rock, more then I realize at times.  They have supported me in this endeavor, which makes this roller coaster ride much smoother.  I dedicate all of my performances to my late Great Aunt Lillian.  She taught me how to be a lady.”

LaQuandra Seymore
Hometown: Patucket, RI
Singing: Tomorrow By: Kelly Price

What kind(s) of music do you enjoy best? Any favorite performers or favorite songs? And why do you like them?
“I enjoy R&B because it relaxes my mind and puts me in a different space. My favorite performers have to be Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, and Patti Labelle. They are the performers I look up to because each artist has power, knows how to grab the crowd’s attention, and aren’t scared to get ugly.”

Who would you say has most inspired you?
“I would say my mother has most inspired me because she has as much drive and hunger as I do in my music. She helps me through any and everything. She is a very strong person and will never take it easy on me because she knows my potential. Even through life struggles she keeps her head high and smiles because she knows everything will come in place and God has us in his hands.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“In five years from now I would like to be a legend. I would want to have traveled the world, did a few movies, Albums, and changing the world with my music.”

Why do you deserve to be the next ‘Star of the Day?’
“I should be the ‘Star of the Day’ because I have the hunger and the mind set of a star.”

Tell us a story about yourself- it can be inspiring, funny, an embarrassing moment, a memory you cherish most, or when you realized you wanted to be a musician.
“One of the moments that stick out to me in my life is when I met the Queen of soul Ms. Aretha Franklin a few years ago. Her music has inspired me and she is an amazing singer. I flew to Detroit and auditioned for the part to play her in a play she was putting together. On TV I thought she was an average to tall woman. When she came out of the audition room and went to the restroom where I was standing she had to be about 4’9. She was so small. I got star struck of course because she was at the audition. Most artist that have auditions you won’t meet them until you have made it past the auditions. So it was finally my turn I was a nervous wreck. I went in with confidence and was so happy to be able to sing in front of her. Well, I got one sentence out and she said “Thank You.” My face showed it all. I was trying to figure out what did I do wrong. I had to tell myself this is not in Gods plan for you. I kept my head high and didn’t let that rejection take over me. That moment inspired me to keep pushing and know that a “Yes” is going to come to me. I l always keep in my mind that God has a plan for me and knows my destiny.”