3-27-2024 6:52pm

11th Annual Bridgewater Sing-Off Showed Local Student Talent

Donnella Tilery Editor

A collection of vocalists took center stage during the 11th Annual Bridgewater Sing-Off performed at Bridgewater-Raritan High School on Friday, March 22.

The high school’s auditorium served as the venue for the singing competition that was held to not only showcase and feature the talents of high school singers but also to raise funds to support the Kimberley A. Nelson Foundation.

The Kimberly A. Nelson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established in 2010 to honor the memory of Kim Nelson, a beloved member of the Class of 2010 at Bridgewater-Raritan High School who passed away in September 2009. Nothing gave Kim greater enjoyment than performing on stage, whether in the Chamber Choir, musical theater, or in her church, according to a message on the website.

The Kimberley A. Foundation also supports, through grants, those educational initiatives that promote and encourage participation in vocal performance and musical theater.
On the evening of March 23, a field of 11 contestants–each a talented singer—performed before an appreciated audience.

Alaina Gust's rendition of the song “Journey to the Past” by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty resulted in her first-place finish among her fellow Bridgewater-Raritan students.

Alaina, a senior, emerged from a skilled group that featured the runner-up, senior Cole Januzzi, and the third-place finisher, senior Indiana Lu.

Those top three finishers have shined on stage throughout their careers at Bridgewater-Raritan High School with their performances in various theater productions.

Along with the elite status as the champion of the Sing-Off, the winner—Alaina—received a prize of $500. A total of $300 was granted to the runner-up, Cole, while Indiana received $200 for placing third.

The top three finishers in the Sing-Off:

First place: Alaina Gust
Song: “Journey to the Past” Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty

Second place: Cole Januzzi
Song: “River” Joni Mitchell

Third place: Indiana Lu
Song: “Baby I'm Yours” Van McCoy

Jack McManus, once a performer in the Sing-Off and a scholarship winner in 2017, served as the MC while Dr. John Wilson, the Choral Director at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, was the Accompanist. The panel of judges was Jaime Bartolett, a Broadway producer and a graduate of Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Chuck Schneider, a voice teacher and classical singer, and Matthew Mucha, a Broadway actor.

One of the key coordinators of the show was Kim Cook, who is a member of the Kimberley A. Nelson Foundation Committee and a 3rd Grade Teacher at the John F. Kennedy Primary School in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.

Another valuable member of the event was Sharon Lawton, who is on the Board of Trustees for the Kimberley A. Nelson Foundation. She provided her take on the event, "Our MC, Jack McManus, kept the event high energy from the welcome to the finale and awarding of prizes. The judges were impressed with the quality of the talent at Bridgewater-Raritan High School,” Ms. Lawton said. “They were very complimentary to the participants but also gave good suggestions for improvement. It felt like we have finally recovered from COVID years!"