Ball State University Junior Brittany Kusserow is one step closer to earning $5,000 and recording time after advancing from the semifinal round of Campus Super Star on Wednesday.
Kusserow competed against 30 other college students and joins nine other people in the final round, which is at 7 p.m. March 25 at the Madame Walker Theatre Center in Indianapolis.
She said she was excited about advancing but was also a little nervous.
"It was a little terrifying being in front of so many people," she said. "I've been in Ball State's talent show where there was a bigger crowd, so I compared the experience to that, and I wasn't as scared."
Kusserow said she was stretched a little bit as a performer, because she is used to playing her guitar while singing. She is not that good at moving around the stage, she said, so it was completely new to express her words through her body motion compared to just through her guitar and voice.
Andy Gitelson, assistant director for Indiana University's Hillel, the organization that sponsored the event, said Kusserow was one of two semifinalists who chose to sing their own music, and it was a great addition to the show.
"[All the semifinalists] showed the best talent we've had in the three years we've done it," Gitelson said. "It was probably the closest scoring. If you asked any of the 350 to 400 people who attended, they each would give you a different set of 10 finalists."
The finalists will sing whatever song they want in the finals, except for religious music, Gitelson said. The music is restricted because he said he wanted the contestants to be judged on their vocal quality, not because the song might or might not match a person's beliefs.
Judging will be based on the contestant's vocal ability, stage presence, song choice, performance skills and overall attitude. The judges will narrow the 10 finalists down to five, and then audience members will pick the winner.
Kusserow said she was impressed with the 30 people who were chosen for the semifinal round, but because there were that many people she was not too concerned.
"Now that I'm in the group of 10, I respect them all and whoever wins is worthy," she said. "I am choosing another one of my songs, and so I think having the original song will give me a leg up, but other than that, I'd be on an equal playing field."
Gitelson, as a Ball State alum, said he is really excited for Kusserow to have another Cardinal in the mix.
FinalsTime: 7 p.m.Date: March 25Place: Madame Walker Theatre Center
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
