Vote for local singing sensation

By: Susan Robinson
   Andrea Struk has one of those distinct talents that you either have or you don’t. She is a 22-year-old vocal performer who proved her talent in January at a singing competition at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Since this time, she’s been waiting for the next round, which will give the people who know her best the opportunity to vote for her. Beginning Sept. 2, the votes can be made, and she is asking for support.
   Her win as a first place female soloist landed the Millstone resident a trophy and a spot in the next round of the USA World Showcase competition finals. Winners of this portion are determined from votes cast by any individual who visits the official showcase Web site. Ms. Struk is seeking the support and votes from her fellow community members as she continues to make herself well-known in the business and aims to win the grand prize of $100,000. The competition does not guarantee a signed contract, but it does give her the opportunity to perform for famous recording agencies in hopes that one of them will be interested in her vocal talent.
   Ms. Struk, a 2004 graduate of Allentown High School, this fall will be attending her fourth year at Berklee College of Music in Boston. She continues to sing at the Ardena Baptist Church in Freehold and actively participates in events not only to get exposure, but also to enhance her talent.
   Her list of performances is long and includes appearances as a solo jazz vocalist for the Allentown High School Birds in Flight jazz ensemble and as a solo vocalist at various Allentown parades. In the past several years she has performed the National Anthem at several Trenton Thunder baseball games, a Lakewood Blue Claws baseball game and at several New Egypt Speedway events.
   Ms. Struk is also a solo vocalist for the All American School of Music’s ensemble, The After Effect. She lists the ensemble’s May performance in front of the Jefferson Memorial in D.C. as one of her favorites along with Allentown parade performances.
   In the future, she would like to perform with large bands in various cities including Atlantic City and New York. Ms. Struk has performed on the Carnival Fantasy and Norwegian Dawn cruise ships, and hopes to again.
   She said, "Being the next American Idol is, of course, in the back of my mind, but I would just like to perform in many places as I can in the world."
   When asked where in the world, she mentioned her trip to the Bahamas and said, "I go to school with students from other countries and it’s nice to share the different cultures of music."
   Ms. Struk noted liking music from Argentina, India and Africa. She also said she admires Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald for their talents, but said she has so many favorites, it’s hard to choose one performer. If she could be compared to a singer, she said it would be Celine Dion, and noted that she performed the singer’s "Seduces Me" for a final at Berklee College.
   She said it was amazing to stand in front of so many people at the Las Vegas competition and perform Mariah Carey’s "Hero" for judges who were from recording agencies, and for her competitors who were also critiquing her. Her great vocal talent didn’t go unnoticed.
   It is because of this talent that Peter Mauro, director of "The After Effect" ensemble and former director of the Allentown High School Marching Band, was willing to sponsor part of her trip to the competition. Mr. Mauro commented on how this young lady has it all together.
   "She has the voice and she’s intelligent." Mr. Mauro said, adding that he was amazed at her ability to scat after only one semester at Berklee College. He also states she is a natural performer and through all her experiences, "she’s never forgotten her roots … she’s down-to-earth."
   Ms. Struk would like the support of the people who know her and of the community, which has witnessed her vocal ability while performing in the area’s events. She would like her supporters to watch her "Broadcast 5 Show" performance and vote from Sunday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 7, at www.usaworldshowcase.com.