Music
Press
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 10, 2008
Jade Lester is a Gem!
Western Fair’s Youth Talent finalist takes first place at National Youth Talent
Competition in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
It won’t be long before the name, Jade Lester, rolls off the tongue of every Country/Pop
music aficionado from Nashville to New Zealand. Jade Lester, a 17-year-old, from the
small town of Chatham, Ontario won first place at the 2008 Canadian Association of
Fairs and Exhibitions National Youth Talent Finals held on Friday, November 7 at the
Prairieland Trade Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, during the Association’s annual
convention. Jade was the 2008 Western Fair Youth Talent Finalist this past September,
making her eligible to compete in the Youth Talent National Competition.
Judging for the youth talent competition is based on Natural Ability, Quality of
Performance, Showmanship & Audience Rapport. Jade sparkled in her recent
Saskatoon performance, as she has in so many shows across Ontario. Gifted with an
angelic voice and commanding stage presence, she is an accomplished vocalist and
musician who has won countless awards, prizes, scholarships and trophies.
Also of note, the second place winner in the national competition was Gabriella Caruso,
Vocal Solo representing the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto Zone and Connor
Steele-Falconer, Vocal Solo, representing the Pacific National Exhibition, British
Columbia Zone, who took home third.
The National Youth Talent Awards is an annual event presented by the Canadian
Association of Fairs and Exhibitions since 1991, the Awards celebrate the performing
arts talents of Canada's youth. Young Canadians between 13 and 21, representing
fourteen zones from across Canada, perform their way from the local fair to the
provincial zone level and then on to the National Finals. Since its inception, the National
Youth Talent Awards have been supported by Conklin Shows, through the Patty Conklin
Memorial Fund.
Youth Talent preliminary competitions take place across Ontario, prior to the Western
Fair finals in September. Watch for 2009 competitions in Clinton, Burgessville, Barrie,
Hamilton, Del-Ko-Brydge (Deleware, Komoka, Mount Brydges), Essex, Sarnia, Listowel,
London, Kitchener, Stratford, Tillsonburg, Bayfield, Ridgetown, Woodstock, Teeswater,
Paris, Glencoe and Thorndale.
Some notable performers who have participated at some level in this competition over
the years are; Jamie Warren, Beverley Mahood, Tiffany Deriveau, Andrea Henry of
“Sugar Jones”, Michael Bublé, Paul Brandt, and Alannis Morrissette.
Heather Blackwell
Corporate Affairs
Western Fair Association
(519) 438-7203 EX 261
- Western Fair Association
COMPETITION: Chatham's Jade Lester wins national youth talent awards event in Saskatoon
Dad's spirit with teen singing star
James Reaney
Sun Media
November 9, 2008
Chatham teen singing star Jade Lester is coming home from Saskatoon today as a national champion.
Jade Lester won the 2008 Canadian youth talent awards competition. (Special to Sun Media)
Lester, 17, finished first in the 2008 Canadian youth talent awards competition being held during the national association of fairs and exhibitions' annual convention.
The Chatham-Kent secondary school student sang her way to the title and its $3,000 prize on Friday.
"Actually, I just started crying. I started crying I was so excited," Lester said yesterday from Saskatoon. She expects to return home today.
She advanced to the nationals by winning at the 2008 Western Fair, where the regional competition was held in September.
"It's such an honour to be here," she said.
Lester relied on her strong performance of The Girl in 14G, a song by U.S. singer and actor Kristin Chenoweth to help her to the title. "It's my party song," she said.
Lester and her family have been dealing with a tragic loss this fall. Lester's father, Bob, died on Oct. 10 in a motorcycle crash. He was 52.
Before leaving for Saskatoon, Lester told the Chatham Daily News she believed her father would be with her in spirit. "He is always going to be with my every time I perform," she said.
Lester has collected many awards, including honours from Kiwanis music festivals in Chatham, Sarnia-Lambton and London. Earlier this year, she won $3,000 as the grand champion of an Ohio vocal competition.
The singer's influences range from Aerosmith to Martina McBride. Helping Lester with her recording project is Fanshawe College professor and Juno-winning producer Kevin Doyle. "He's awesome," she said of Doyle.
Over the years, the youth talent search competition has attracted such Canadian stars to be as Paul Brandt, Alanis Morissette and Michael Buble, a national champion when he was a teen. Many of its most famous participants are singers, but the competition is open to other disciplines, such as dance. Four years ago, Insect, a Parkhill-based acrobatics ensemble influenced by Cirque du Soleil, advanced from the Western Fair event to win the national prize.
James Reaney is a Free Press arts and entertainment reporter.
E-MAIL: James Reaney
LINK
- London Free Press
Lester preparing for her professional debut
Posted 29 days ago
After wowing local audiences with her performance in the title role of Chatham-Kent Secondary School’s recent production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jade Lester will be appearing on the Kiwanis Theatre stage again, but in her professional debut.
On April 4 at 8 p.m., Jade Lester In Concert will see the popular singer perform a variety of tunes, backed by the O’Hara Brothers.
Lester said she was approached last year to be part of the Kiwanis Theatre Home Grown Talent Series.
“I was like, ‘seriously?’” Lester said.
Although she has been performing locally and beyond since she was a youngster, next month’s performance will mark her first main stage solo show.
Last year, she received the top honour at the prestigious Canadian Youth Talent Competition, but said she’s happy that her first professional show will be in front of a local audience.
“I do stuff by myself all the time,” Lester said, “but this is pretty special.”
And, while she always knew her family and friends would buy tickets to see her perform, Lester said she’s been “pleasantly surprised,” at how well ticket sales are going.
“I’m nervous in an excited way,” she said. “I’m tired of waiting and I want it to be here already.”
She said her show will feature a variety of music that will appeal to everyone, but is particularly aimed at a younger crowd.
Lester said the music will include “a lot of different stuff; new pop and country mixed with old rock, and a little bit of old country in there.
“It’s just a crazy mix of stuff,” she said, “and some original stuff in there; a good mash-up of everything you want to hear in one night.”
Lester is also anxiously awaiting the release of her first professional album as well.
She had hoped the as yet untitled country/pop CD would be ready in time for the concert, but said circumstances beyond her control mean it won’t be ready then, but she’s hoping it will be out by the summer.
Lester said when she performs, “I’m kind of in my own little world, getting away from everyday things.
“I get to put on a show for people and see that they’re enjoying themselves,” she said. “Just sharing my gift of singing and music with them, is like an honour almost.”
Lester is currently in Grade 12 but plans to stay at CKSS for one more year before heading off to school.
She said she’s hoping to be accepted into Sheridan College’s three-year Music Theatre - Performance program, and plans to spend her final year working to save for college, as well as taking part in next year’s musical production at her high school.
And, while she hopes to pursue her musical theatre career once she’s finished, if that doesn’t pan out, Lester said she’d be interested in teaching music.
“As long as I still perform, I’ll be happy,” she said.
Tickets to Jade Lester In Concert are available through the Chatham Cultural Centre box office at 519-354-8338 or online at www.cktickets.com. Tickets are $25 each with member discounts available.
Copyright © 2009 Chatham This Week - Chatham This Week
- Chatham-Kent News - Daily Post - http://ckdp.ca -
Jade hitting the Kiwanis stage
Posted By Editorial On March 13, 2009 @ 1:04 pm In Community | No Comments
Already an accomplished vocalist in a myriad of genres, a multiple award winner, talented stage actress, dancer and veteran performer with 11 years experience, Jade Lester still possesses an insatiable appetite to hone her skills - and to thrill audiences from coast-to-coast.
Recently crowned Overall Grand Champion at the prestigious Canadian Youth Talent Competition, Lester is ecstatic to be making her début performance as a headline act at “Jade Lester In Concert” on April 4, at 8 p.m. at the Kiwanis Theatre.
“Jade Lester In Concert” is part of the Kiwanis Theatre Home Grown Talent Series 2008/2009. A high-energy production showcasing Jade’s Pop/Country/Rock sound will feature original tunes, backed by the amazing O’Hara Brothers.
“I feel privileged to give back to my hometown audience, who has been so supportive of my musical aspirations and dreams,” said Lester, who aspires to study musical theatre in university, and to continue in her journey to one day wow a world-wide audience through performing arts.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.cktickets.com, by phone at 519-354-8338, or at the box office located at 75 William Street North, Chatham.
Article printed from Chatham-Kent News - Daily Post: http://ckdp.ca
URL to article: http://ckdp.ca/jade-hitting-the-kiwanis-stage/
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Based on a work at www.ckdp.ca. 2009 Chatham-Kent Daily Post. Some rights reserved. - Chatham Daily Post
Lester to release debut
Posted March 2009
Even with numerous accolades and more than a decade of experience, a local singer will soon tread into new waters.
Chatham's Jade Lester will release her debut album this spring. However, she said there is still some work left in the studio.
"We have a lot to do over the March break," she said. "But it's a lot of fun."
Lester, 18, also has some high-calibre talent in her corner, with London-based Kevin Doyle producing the country/pop album.
Doyle has worked with Anne Murray, Michelle Wright, Hall and Oates and John McDermott.
However, Lester said you almost wouldn't know it, given his down-to-earth demeanor, despite winning three Juno Awards and being nominated for a Grammy Award.
"It's an honour," she said.
"It's just neat to see what a humble guy he is. He's worked with all these big, big people."
While Lester admits she prefers performing in front of an audience, she enjoys the chance to experiment with her sound while recording.
She also praised her backing band in the studio.
"They were absolutely incredible," she said.
"They were so fun to work with and such great musicians."
Lester said her album will likely be self-titled and hopes it will be ready before her upcoming concert on April 4 at the Kiwanis Theatre.
She's looking forward to the show.
"It's going to be exciting to have all my family and friends there," she said.
Lester was the champion of last year's Ontario Youth Talent Competition at the Western Fair. She advanced to the national stage in Saskatoon, where she also won.
She recently played the lead role in Chatham-Kent Secondary School's musical production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Lester plans to stay for one more year in high school, before pursuing musical theatre at the post-secondary level.
"I want to be sure exactly what I want to do," she said. "I sing so many different genres and perform different things."
Copyright © 2009 Chatham Daily News - Chatham Daily News
Hey Jade,
Just thought I'd drop you a note to say how happy I was with your performance. The audience really enjoyed themselves and didn't hesitate to tell me as we've had lots of positive comments Congratulations on a fabulous show. You have a wonderful voice and you seem to really be at home on stage. I think we'll be seeing more of you in the future!
Lesley Grand
Kiwanis Theatre Manager
......................................................................
Lesley Grand, Programmer
Kiwanis Theatre
75 William St. N.
Chatham ON N7M 4L4
Phone: 519-354-8346 ext. 31
Fax: 519-354-4170
Cell: 519-350-0387
Email: lesleyg@chatham-kent.ca
Web: http://www.cktickets.com - Kiwanis Theatre Chatham
Discography
Just realeased debut CD, "Love's Funny That Way" on April 10, 2010, at the Chatham Kiwanis Theatre.
Current single "Love's Funny That Way" being played on local radio stations.
Photos
Bio
Bio courtesy of Jeffrey Reed- London Ontario
JADE LESTER
Country/Rock/Pop Singer
There comes a time in every talented artist’s life when a larger stage beckons. Yet, despite the fact Chatham, Ontario’s Jade Lester was recently crowned Overall Grand Champion at the prestigious Canadian Youth Talent Competition, the 19-year-old singer/recording artist hasn’t forgotten her roots. It’s why this multi-talented artist was just as thrilled about headlining at her Jade Lester In Concert showcase in her hometown this past April 4, 2009, and recently released her debut CD "Love's Funny That Way" in the same venue on April 10, 2010.
Already an accomplished vocalist in a myriad of genres, a multiple award winner, talented stage actress, dancer and veteran performer with 12 years experience, Jade Lester still possesses an insatiable appetite to hone her skills – and to thrill audiences from coast to coast. When Jade burst upon the Canadian Country music scene at the tender age of 6, she immediately won the hearts of fans from Vancouver to St. John’s. It’s no surprise she is the reigning Canadian Youth Talent Competition Grand Champion and Vocal Soloist champ, crowned in Saskatoon.
After capturing the 2008 Ontario Youth Talent Competition at the talent-laden Western Fair competition, Jade welcomed the challenge of representing her province on a national stage. In the performance of a lifetime, Jade wowed the judges and the audience with her professional vocals and stage presence. Just listen to what the judges had to say about this promising artist:
"Awesome performance! Show stopping performance! Powerhouse sound. Jade attacks her songs vocally and physically. Great showmanship – a natural."
Despite the accolades, Jade Lester remains grounded, and dedicated to her many crafts. Perhaps best known as a Country/Pop singer/recording artist, Jade was ecstatic to be make her début performance as a headline act at, Jade Lester In Concert, April 4, 2009 at 8 p.m., Chatham Cultural Centre. It’s a show audiences were highly anticipating, and was well attended and enjoyed by all. Jade Lester In Concert was part of the Kiwanis Theatre Home Grown Talent Series 2008/2009. The high-energy production showcasing Jade’s Pop/Country/Rock sound featured original tunes, backed by the amazing O’Hara Brothers.
"I feel privileged to give back to my hometown audience, who has been so supportive of my musical aspirations and dreams," says Jade, who aspires to study music in university, and to continue in her journey to one day wow a world-wide audience through performing arts.
Rest assured, Jade Lester’s dream will come true, and it’s no pipe dream. In fact, since age 6, Jade has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the hardest working performers in Ontario. In fact, it is amazing how Jade continues to balance such a busy schedule, which includes an active life as a high school student, vocal, dance and theatre lessons and performances, and numerous philanthropic efforts which benefit her community.
And on top of all of these intertwining activities, Jade recently released her début Country/Pop CD, "Love's Funny That Way" with renowned producer Will Haas of Willyboy Recordings, and contributions by the internationally-acclaimed Kevin Doyle, a three-time Juno Award winner and Grammy Award nominee as Recording Engineer of the Year. Kevin Doyle has worked with the likes of Alannah Myles, Hall and Oates, Michelle Wright, Anne Murray, John McDermott, and Amy Sky – just to name a few. Now based in nearby London, Ontario, Doyle lent his unmatched expertise in the initial stages of Jade’s new CD, released on April 10, 2010 at the Chatham Kiwanis Theatre. The CD contains songs from hit songwriters from Ontario, Nashille, and L.A.
What can we expect from Jade’s recorded music? Consider her favourite artists and main musical influences: Martina McBride; Carrie Underwood; and LeAnn Rimes. Says Jade, "I just love singing. It’s a great gift, and I’m very grateful to be able to use my talent to entertain. Performing is my greatest love. I hope to be able to show my gift to the world someday."
Jade has the honesty and innocence of a country girl, yet she displays all of the sophistication on stage one would expect from a polished artist with decades of experience. In fact, it is the pleasure of the journey – not the end result of fame – which drives Jade to succeed. Now a young woman, Jade Lester’s past accomplishments include a role in a U.S. television commercial for Kelly Services; and a feature performance in Canadian artist Oh Susanna’s music video, River Blue, showing on CMT.
Yearly Kiwanis Music Festival vocal scholarships since 1998 have rewarded Jade for her hard work. During the past two years, she has captured 1st Prize at showcases including: Detroit Symphony Orchestra Idol; New Artisans Vocal Competition, Windsor; Wish Upon A Song, Lima, Ohio; Cruisin' Gratiot Idol (Detroit); and Kalamazoo Fair Talent S
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