With every sharp kick snapped, lyric belted out and piano key played, local performers brought the Alexandria Area High School Performing Arts Center stage to life Thursday, April 22.
Of the 10 finalists selected for the Lakes Area Talent Show, Ethan Loeffler took third place for his piano number of Beethoven’s “Für Elise.” Aleah Dokter received second place for her contemporary dance routine to Ruel’s “Dazed & Confused.” The advanced belt Taekwondo demonstration, presented by Levi Gibson and Abby Kangas, won first place.
“I was surprised,” Kangas said. “We were pretty pumped.”
Though they practiced at least 20 times, Gibson and Kangas bantered back and forth about areas that could’ve been better. In one of his kicks, Gibson said his stance wobbled a bit and his foot moved out of place. For one of the moves, Kangas taught Gibson just for this demonstration.
“Levi’s really good at learning,” Kangas said. “We did all the techniques correctly, it was actually really crisp.”
All of the moves the two incorporated into their demonstration were a combination of things they’ve practiced previously, as they’ve participated in multiple competitions.
From an original spoken word poetry piece to an Irish fiddle solo, a jazz dance routine to a singing and guitar-playing father daughter duet, the variety and quality of talent made it hard for the judges to choose just three, said Lynn Jenc, an emcee for the evening and Alexandria Public Schools Community Education director.
“We appreciate their willingness and bravery in devoting their time and talent to help make this event successful,” Jenc said. “It takes a special spirit to be able to get on stage and to perform.”
To watch the livestream recording of the Lakes Area Talent Show, visit
alexschools.org/channel1
.
1/10: Levi Gibson jumped up to kick Abby Kangas during their martial arts demonstration in the Lakes Area Talent Show. The two won first place in the community competition Thursday, April 22. (Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press)
2/10: Aleah Dokter choreographed a temporary dance routine to “Dazed & Confused” by Ruel. She took second place for her performance in the Lakes Area Talent Show Thursday, April 22. (Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press)
3/10: Ethan Loeffler was awarded third place for his piano performance of Beethoven’s “Für Elise.” (Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press)
4/10: Isaac Loeffler, Alexandria Area High School junior, played a classical piano piece at the Lakes Area Talent Show Thursday, April 22. (Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press)
5/10: Alexis and Tony Loosbrock, a father daughter duo, sang “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper at the Alexandria Area High School Performing Arts Center Thursday night. (Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press)
6/10: Marisa Rousu, Alexandria Area High School freshman, performed “You Say” by Lauren Daigle in the Lakes Area Talent Show. When the judges asked her why she chose this song, Rousu said, “I relate to the message, and I feel like everybody can at some point.” (Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press)
7/10: Anna Meehan, Alexandria Area High School junior, presented a fiddle solo of “As I Roved Out” by The High Kings in the Performing Arts Center Thursday night. Meehan said she’s drawn to more upbeat remixes of traditional pieces. (Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press)
8/10: Rylin Converse, 10, kicked above her head during her choreographed routine of “Confident” by Demi Lovato in the Lakes Area Talent Show Thursday, April 22. Converse has danced for seven years at Dancin' Off Broadway, but this was her first time performing a solo. (Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press)
9/10: Beverly Clobes, Alexandria Area High School junior, presented an original spoken word piece at the Performing Arts Center Thursday night. She started writing the piece seven years ago and hopes to be a published author someday. (Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press)
10/10: Leah Zenner, Alexandria Area High School freshman, sang in the Lakes Area Talent Show Thursday, April 22. Zenner said she chose “Pretty Funny” by Lindsay Mendez because she’s never had an experience like what the lyrics describe. (Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press)
Jasmine Johnson joined the Echo Press staff in May 2020 as a general assignment reporter. She grew up in Becker, Minn., and later studied journalism and graphic design at Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minn.
