Applause will determine success of Dayton girl's act

Sarah Wadding has been singing almost half of her life. The 15-year-old from Dayton started exercising her vocal chords when she was only 8. Recently, the years of voice lessons, chorus sessions and chior practices have begun to pay off.

The freshman student from West Shamokin Jr-Sr High School has performed at school, area fairs, churches and weddings. She was awarded first place at Monroeville's National Disney Radio Talent Search and was a Kean Idol Competition finalist.

Wadding's most recent gig, Showtime at the Apollo on Tour, pits her against 18 other Pittsburgh-area acts competing for applause next week at the Benedum Center. The 19 acts were selected from 300 appearing last month in Pittsburgh.

The youngest of the 19 acts, Wadding will sing "At Last" by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren and made popular by Edda James.

"I do a variety (of music genres)," said Wadding, "everything from jazz to R&B to country."

"Jazz and R&B are my favorites."

Wadding has taken piano lessons since she was 8 and has played the Alto Saxophone since fourth grade.

If she wins the competition next week, she will receive $1,000, two round-trip tickets to New York and an invitiation to perform at the Apollo Theater.

Many entertainers might be intimidated by the prospect of performing for applause, but Wadding is enthusiastic.

"It is great experience," she said. "I can't wait to sing at the Benedum."