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Show Utah Press Association Tear Sheets 1521 East 3900 South Suite 100 Salt Lake City, UT 84124 AN E D I T I O N O F P R I D E & PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SPANISH FORK, UTAH PERMIT NO. 2 P R O G R E S S The Spanish Fork News VOL. 3 / NO. 8 ffl O C A L L Y O W N E D A N D OWEDNESDAY, P E R FEBRUARY A T E 20, D 2008 500 SPANISH FORK, UTAH Namon Bills / Spanish Fork News Namon Bills/ Spanish Fork News TINKLING THE IVORIES: Barrowes's talent extends from his voice to his skill on the piano. His sound is a mixture of jazz/pop. Shaun Barrowes appears on American Idol Jen Allen STAFF WRITER From the time he was three years old, Shaun Barrowes has been receiving vocal instruction. Through the years he continued his musical education. Learning from vocal coaches such as Seth Riggs, who also instructed Michael Jackson, and an associate of Riggs by the name of Yunga, Barrowes was able to hone his musical skills to a point where he himself was able to teach voice lessons. But singing wasn't his only education. He started at the age of six in piano lessons and continued till he was 18. These lessons helped Barrowes in the composition and production of his original works. It's no surprise with a background like this that when the opportunity to audition for the hit television show American Idol came around, Barrowes grabbed it. His first audition for the show was out in Charleston, South Carolina last August. Prior to that, Barrowes claims he never really followed the show. Barrowes made the top 50 out of over 100,000 American Idol hopefuls and got his ticket to Hollywood. Once there Barrowes met with his first roommate. "He was a cool guy, but man could he snore! It was so bad that he'd almost get into a rhythm." He didn't get much sleep those first few nights in Hollywood but somehow managed to sing full force when it came time to show the judges his stuff. This season's twist was in allowing the contestants an opportunity to accompany themselves with some sort of instrument. Barrowes of course chose the piano. The comments Barrowes got from one of the harshest judges, Simon Cowell was that he was "Banging on the piano1" to which Barrowes responds, "Whatever, that's cool. That's what Ben Folds and Billy Joel do." Other comments from the judges noted how different and unique his sound was as compared to other contestants. Even being unique, Barrowes didn't make it past the first week in Hollywood. But that hasn't stopped him yet. Barrowes' latest record "Big Bang Theory" is available for download and the hard copy will be released March 18, 2008. For more information on Barrowes inspiration and to hear what he sounds like, he can be checked out on either of his two websites, Shaunbarrowes.com or www.myspacc.coni/shaunbarrowes. David Leavitt Amy Baum / Spanish Fork News PUBLICITY: Staff writer Amy Baum met Congressional candidate David Leavitt, brother of former Utah governor Mike Leavitt, while he was filming a promotional video at the Spanish Fork Public Safety building. Spanish Fork City does not endorse any particular candidate. NATURAL GRACE: Ginger Christopher has been dancing most of her life. Now, at age 17, she has the lead role in the ballet Hansel and Gretel. Serious dancing Marilyn Nielson STAFF WRITER Local ballerina Ginger Christopher will be playing the lead role of Gretel in the Classical Ballet Academy's upcoming performance of "Hansel and Gretel." The ballet is being presented Friday and Saturday Feb. 22 and 23 at the Covey Center for the Performing Arts in Provo. The 17-year-old Christopher, who attends Spanish Fork High School, has been dancing for nearly her entire life. Coming from a musical family — "my entire family dances," said Christopher — she started dance lessons at age three, adding ballet lessons at age four. Now, she dances six days a week, and works as an instructor as well. She is a TA at the Classical Ballet Academy, as well as a Dance Coach at Nebo Gymnastics, where she helps make up gymnastic routines for competitions, etc. In addition, Christopher is a member of the Dance Company at Spanish Fork High, which performs ballet, jazz, and hip-hop styles. "Dancing is basically my life," said Christopher — and it appears to be true: even during this interview, she was between dancing sessions, getting ready to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix in San Francisco. This international ballet competition has regional contests all over the world, and the finalists gather to compete in New York each year. Christopher will dance three ballet solos, one each from Don Quixote and Le Corsaire, as well as a contemporary solo choreographed by her teacher, Jennie CreerKing. Christopher will also dance in two ensembles for the competition, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday Feb. 16 and 17. Playing Gretel, Christopher said, is "an emotional roller coaster. Gretel gets to show so many emotions — she can be a brat, she can be the obedient daughter, she can be scared — I just love getting to dance so many aspects of a character!" Christopher said she also enjoys the role of Gretel because she can relate to her. "I'm a lot like Gretel," she explained. "She acts like the perfect child, but then she loves to tease her brother and get him in trouble. My brother is six years older than me, but I still love to do that to him too!" After she graduates from High School, Christopher plans to audition for a ballet company's "second company" — a kind of training company which is usually a prerequisite for the major company. Her first choice would be the local Ballet West II, but she is also exploring other options in other areas. While her first love is dancing, Christopher likes to sing, too, and is a member of the Utah Valley Children's Choir. When she can find the time, she also likes having fun with her friends, swimming, shopping — "just normal girl things! And I also like going on dates — hint, hint!" she added. |