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The Trib's American Idol: Vote for the best National Anthem singer
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The Trib's Top 10 includes professionally trained singers and others who love to belt for the fun of it. Here's our all-star list of finalists, ranging from middle school to middle age.
DANIMARIE VILLARREAL
Age: 25
Hometown: Albuquerque
Occupation: Substitute teacher at St. Pius X High School
Singing status: Villarreal, a trained opera singer, attended Vanderbilt on a music scholarship. She is now looking to pursue opera full time.
Audio Clip: Danimarie Villarreall
KRISTIN MULLANEY
Age: 17
Hometown: Albuquerque
School: Sandia High School (senior)
Singing status: This blondie sings for fun, but it "would be cool" to win an online poll, she said.
EDDIE CHAVEZ
Age: N/A
Hometown: Albuquerque
Occupation: Works in the Lobo shop in The Pit.
Singing status: Talk about some historic pipes. Chavez sang the National Anthem in The Pit during the 1983 NCAA Final Four, the year Jim Valvano frantically ran around the court floor. Twenty-three years later, Chavez volunteers as a singer at Central Methodist Church.
MICHELLE MONTOYA
Age: 22
Hometown: Tome
Occupation: Full-time student at UNM
Singing status: Montoya's voice extends to local churches and New Mexico Scorpions games. "That'd be awesome to win this," Montoya said.
RICKY GARCIA
Age: 11
Hometown: Albuquerque
School: James Monroe Middle School (sixth grade)
Singing status: Tried out for "American Idol" last year but didn't advance. But he's the contestant who most resembles a Menudo member, so watch out. Garcia said he prefers to sing Christian music.
LOWELL BURTON JR.
Age: 25
Hometown: Albuquerque
Occupation: Music student at UNM
Singing status: Burton is thinking about becoming a Gospel singer.
FIRST LIGHT
Members: Kirk Sugars (lead), Phil Middleton (bass), Tim Steider (baritone) and Steve Cooper (tenor).
Hometown: Albuquerque
Occupation: Professional singers.
Singing status: This competitive quartet recently finished sixth in the Rocky Mountain District in Salt Lake City. Their style is "Barbershop" music, a form of a cappella harmony.
Audio Clip: First Light (Kirk Sugars, Tim Steider, Phil Middleton, Steve Cooper)
LEAH ROSALES and LAVEL NORDIN
Age: Rosales is 25, Nordin is 29.
Hometown: Albuquerque
Occupation: Rosales works for FedEx. Lavel is a stay-at-home mom.
Singing Status: This duet has performed at Isotopes games and other events.
Audio Clip: Leah Rosales, Lavel Nordin
ALEXANDRA STERN
Age: 12
Hometown: Albuquerque
School: Jefferson Middle School (sixth grade)
Singing status: Stern said she loves to sing enough to maybe pursue a singing career - one day.
SEVERO MARTINEZ
Age: 20
Hometown: Chimayo
Occupation: Elementary education student at the University of New Mexico
Singing status: Martinez sings for Randall Records. His single, "Amor de Familia," is nominated for a New Mexico Music Award, Martinez said.
"Music is what I'm pursuing," he said.
