September Seventh Entertainment Limited announced Sunday the finalists of the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Rising Star Search, a showcase dedicated to aspiring new musical talent as part of the 2010 Hamilton Music Awards Festival.

The event which is geared towards students has been introduced as part of the HMA’s commitment to developing new talent and ensuring Hamilton’s music legacy continues well into the future.

The ArcelorMittal Dofasco Rising Star Search event will take place at 8PM on Saturday November 20, 2010 on the Festival main stage located in the McIntyre Theatre at Mohawk College.

Artists or groups selected to be part of the live showcase will be scored by a panel of music industry judges.

The finalists are:

Sarah Bothelho - Student of Bishop Tonnos Secondary School in Ancaster. Her musical influences include The Beatles, Coldplay and Queen. She has released her first CD which is available at Chapters in Ancaster.

City of Snow - Hamilton based indie rock band comprised of members who attend Redeemer University College and Sheridan College. The band is currently in the quarter final round of the Y108 Rock ‘n’ Roll Challenge.

Dawn & Marra – Dundas-based duet currently attending Parkside Secondary School. Dawn & Marra have been making a name for themselves in the local scene by performing in venues including Moonshine Café (Toronto), This Ain’t Hollywood and Hamilton Place Studio Theatre (Opening for Marra’s mom, 2010 HMA triple nominee, Kim Koren)

Fable – A soprano singer from Ancaster currently attending Sheridan College. Fable has performed in numerous plays including Annie, Old Fashioned Love Story and The Wizard of Oz. Fable also recently placed first in the Wainfleet Fall Fair Idol Competition.

Heather Janssen – Currently attending Parkside High School in Dundas, Heather was a semi-finalist in the CNE’s Rising Star Talent Competition this past summer. She also placed fist at the Rockton World Fair talent competition in her category.

Kathleen Leonard – Singer/songwriter attending Orchard Park Secondary School in Stoney Creek. Kathleen has been performing locally at various events including the Winona Peach Festival and was a finalist in the first-ever Hamilton Junior Idol.

Liam McGlashon – Grade 6 student and fiddler/multi-instrumentalist currently attending Queensdale Public School. Liam has performed at major events at Hamilton Place and the Air Canada Centre. He also performs every Friday at the Corktown Pub with The Liam McGashon Kitchen Band and every Thursday at Rolly Rockets.

Jasmine Oliveri – Singer/Songwriter currently attends Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Grimsby. Jasmine recorded her first single “Hurricane” at age 10 with her father, Michael, musician and front man for 80’s metal band, Leatherwolf. Jamsine’s mother, Carole, is also a professional singer and played with all-girl rock band Stilleto.

Charissa Pavlou – Singer/Songwriter and student of Lord Nelson High School in Burlington. Charissa won the 2009 CNE Rising Star Talent Competition in the junior division (ages 6-12) and went on to become Grand Champion. She has since been writing new material and performing live.

Peter Van Dyk and the Second Hand Band – A group comprised of members attending Mohawk College and Guido de Bres Christian High School in Hamilton. Peter and his band play frequently and recently recorded their fourth CD, Peter Van Dyk and the Second Hand Band.

Weekend Riot Club – A band comprised of members attending Mohawk College and Redeemer University College in Ancaster. WRC is a new alt-rock band formed in July 2010. The band is currently playing live around Hamilton and planning to tour in spring 2011.

Edward Young Hill - is a young pianist attending Sherwood Secondary School. He has performed at Rotary and Kiwanis music festivals and earned many first place recognitions.

Tickets for the Rising Star Search Concert are $10 in advance (or $15 at the door subject to availability.) They are on sale now at all TicketMaster outlets Tickets can be ordered online at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling TicketMaster at (905) 527-7666.

$1 from every ticket sold for the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Rising Star Search will go to An Instrument For Every Child, an organization dedicated to providing all students in Hamilton with the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument and receive general music education. For more information about An Instrument For Every Child please visit www.hamiltonmusiccollective.org.