Music & Arts' 'Find Your Voice' Contest Names Finalists

FREDERICK, MD--(Marketwire - Feb 15, 2012) - On Monday, Feb. 13, Music & Arts, Yamaha, and Greyson Chance announced the finalists for the first-ever national 'Find Your Voice' Facebook music video contest. Aspiring musicians between the ages of 13 and 17 were asked to submit videos of themselves covering one of 12 songs on an instrument. YouTube singing sensation Greyson Chance and an expert panel of judges were tasked with reviewing hundreds of entries and selecting the most talented musicians based on their artistry, technicality and stage presence.

The qualified judges included distinguished and highly respected music educators from major universities who have guest-conducted symphonies around the world and performed for the Olympic Games and past presidents of the U.S. All remain highly involved in music education. "We were blown away by the talent and passion for music from all of the hundreds of entrants," said Dr. Milt Allen, associate director of bands at Ohio State University. "It wasn't easy, but we narrowed it down to some incredibly talented young musicians, and now it's up to everyone to vote and decide."

The judges selected six young performers from across the nation, after several rounds of evaluation. Here are the finalists of Music & Arts' 'Find Your Voice' contest:

Beth Jimenez
Age 17
Hemet, Calif.

Brenna Skallet
Age 16
Thief River Falls, Minn.

Evan Johnson
Age 17
Columbia, Md.

Mitchell Fairweather
Age 13
Carmel, Ind.

Rylie Brown
Age 14
Lee's Summit, Mo.

Alissa Musto
Age 15
Rehoboth, Mass.

Now it's your turn to help choose the winner! Head to http://www.facebook.com/musicandarts and vote for your favorite submission, now through Feb. 26. The performer whose video receives the highest number of votes will win a trip for two to meet Greyson Chance and experience a day in the life of a pop music sensation! This inside look at the music industry is a priceless opportunity to trade tips, learn from Greyson's experience, and get to know the incredibly gifted singer, songwriter and pianist. The Grand Prize winner will also receive $2,000 toward a Yamaha instrument that Music & Arts carries, a year of free music lessons up to a value of $1,500 and a spot in Music & Arts advertising!

The five runners-up will each win $1,000 toward a Yamaha instrument and six months of free music lessons.

For additional contest details, official guidelines and entry rules, please visit www.MusicArts.com/findyourvoice.

For more information on Greyson Chance, please visit his website at www.greyson-official.com or follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/greysonchance or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreysonChance.

About Music & Arts
Music & Arts has served students, teachers, and families through retail stores and school representatives since 1952. Based in Frederick, Md., the company specializes in sales and rentals of music instruments, instrument repairs, and music lessons -- especially for the beginning and student musician. Music & Arts now has more than 100 retail locations across 20 states.