Last year marked the 20th anniversary of local talent show “Hoosier Star,” based in LaPorte County and hosted by the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, which dreamed up the idea for a 2006 launch.
LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra’s recently departed executive director Emily Yiannias announced in March that this will be the final year for the competition, which held auditions in April at the Presbyterian Church in LaPorte and recently announced the finalists competing in this grand finale contest wrap-up Sept. 12 at LaPorte Civic Auditorium.
“Hoosier Star has been one of our signature events, and we want it to go out on a high note as we plan for future events that bring the community together through the power of music,” Yiannias said during the media announcement.
Finalists for the adult division are Tenley Edvardsen of Schererville, Kurt Gillins of Valparaiso and Anaya Cunningham, Wrigley Hemphill and Grace Ott, the latter three contestants all hailing from La Porte.
For the Youth Division, congrats to finalists Olivia Branco, Selah Branco, Nick Oss, Halyn Pumroy and Nolan Temples, all from La Porte.
Contestants aren’t just competing for a title, but also cash prizes valued at $1,000 and various other cash levels.
It’s been a year of changes and transitions for the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, including a change-up in planned events and future programming.
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Valparaiso resident Yiannias began as executive director of the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra in June 2023 to help launch the orchestra’s 51st concert season. Yiannias, who is a vocal soloist, succeeded Tim King, who had been executive director for five years and retired in July 2023.
Yiannias, a former adjunct music faculty member of both Valparaiso University and the University of Notre Dame, earned her bachelor’s degree in music from DePauw University and her master’s degree in music from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music.
Yiannias surprised me and many others when she departed from her role earlier this summer.
Via a June 2026 news release, the orchestra board of directors announced Tim King, who will turn 67 on Oct. 5, agreed to return temporarily to again lead the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra as an interim executive director.
“Tim has graciously agreed to return to the organization and provide steady leadership as we begin a formal search for our next executive director,” said Brad Adamsky, president of the LCSO board of directors, in the press release.
“His deep knowledge of the symphony and commitment to our mission will help ensure a seamless transition for our musicians, patrons, donors and community partners.”
The one constant during all of these leadership changes is that longtime music director and conductor Dr. Carolyn Watson has always continued in her role, with her three-year contract continuing through this 2026-2027 season. The board will conduct a comprehensive search for a permanent executive director as the organization prepares for its 2026-2027 season.
King contacted me last month and asked me to help get the word out that “Hoosier Star 2026” is still in need of sponsors and underwriters, with opportunities ranging from Platinum $5,000 level and Gold $2,500 level to Silver $1,200 and smaller investments at $800, $400 and $250 star categories. These are the final weeks to arrange sponsorships in time to have programs and a final advertisement push with sponsor nods.
For more details, go to www.HoosierStar.com, www.lcso.net or call 219-362-9020.
This year’s concluding event is at 7 p.m. at the 2,500-seat LaPorte Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge St., LaPorte. Tickets are all general admission and start at $30, as well as a $10 student ticket and the option of $75 table sponsorship seating.
I served as one of the final round judges for “Hoosier Star” in September 2020, a year the event was organized much differently in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I was joined on the judging panel by Victoria Garrett, artist-in-residence and associate professor of music at Bethel University in Mishawaka, and Pastor Dewitt L. Jackson Sr., as a returning judge and pastor and founder of the Revival Center Church of God in Christ in Michigan City.
That year, the event was sans a crowded arena audience of cheering fans and family members.
Instead, it was held in a “closed” recording studio of a LaPorte church as a private event with contestants separated for health and safety concerns. It was live-streamed as a broadcast via the Facebook pages of “Hoosier Star,” as well as the social media outlets of La Porte County Symphony Orchestra and WIMS-AM (1420) radio in Michigan City.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at [email protected].