U.P. woman stays in musical competition

Amanda Gaudino’s name might not sound familiar now, but one day, you might be buying her newest album at the music store or going to see her latest movie at the theater.

Gaudino, 33, of Escanaba, traveled to Milwaukee July 28 to audition for Actors, Models & Talents for Christ (AMTC), a national talent scouting agency. She auditioned in the music category, singing Judy Garland’s “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and performed a 30-second fake commercial to demonstrate her acting abilities. The judges liked what they heard and invited Gaudino to travel to Orlando January 1-6 to participate in “SHINE,” where she will have a chance to meet with nearly 90 top industry agents looking for new talent.

The former Amanda Gossett, who was raised in Cornell, said, “I have been singing since I was a little girl, my grandmother recently found a tape recording of me singing at 2 years old.”

During high school and college, she was involved in chorus, chorale and voice lessons. After marrying her husband, Richard, who was born in Bath, NY but grew up on various military bases, Gaudino spent thirteen years as a wife, mother and step-mother. The couple has three children, only one of whom still resides at home.

Gaudino said her performances have mostly consisted of singing at church, home or signing Karaoke at the Retro Station in Escanaba. Also on her resume is performing at local nursing homes (with local youth detention center youths), leading the Children’s Church Choir, performed at the Cup O Joy in Green Bay, and has been spotlighted twice on Waylin’ Wayne’s radio show.

She will sing tonight at the Retro Station in Escanaba from 6 – 9 PM EST.