Show Night Judges Chosen For Second Annual Diamond In The Rough Talent Competition To Take Place April 5

Organized by Main Street Vineland
Auditions and Show to Take Place at Landis Theater

VINELAND, NJ—Show night judges have been chosen for the second annual Diamond in the Rough Talent Competition, organized by Main Street Vineland, to take place on Friday, April 5, at 7 p.m., at the Landis Theater, 830 E. Landis Ave., Vineland. Century Savings Bank is the Gold Sponsor of the event.

The panel of judges for the show, representing a wide range of experience in the arts, will consist of:

• Dawson Coyle—singing sensation of the national television program “The Voice”
• Kathi Testa Epifanio—noted singer, music teacher, and vocal coach
• Frank Guaracini, Jr.—entrepreneur, commercial real estate developer, and arts patron 
• Rucsandra Maniaci (“Miss Sandra”)—owner of The Arts of the Dance Centre, in Vineland

“I am really exciting by the lineup of judges we have for the show,” said Main Street Vineland Executive Director Russell Swanson. They have tremendous amount of experience in various aspects of the arts and will add tremendously to the evening, by their contributions and input.”

Auditions for the competition, will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, March 20 and 21, at the Landis Theater. Rehearsals will take place there on April 2 and 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. 

Tickets for the show will be $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens, and can be purchased by going online to Main Street Vineland’s website, www.TheAve.biz. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The competition is open to all ages and those wishing to audition should go to www.TheAve.biz, or Main Street Vineland’s Facebook page for rules and registration information. Pre-registration for auditions is strongly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Prizes will be given to competition winners. 

For more information on all Main Street Vineland programs and events, call the Main Street Vineland office at 856-794-8653, visit the organization’s website at http://www.TheAve.biz, or its Facebook page. 

About the Judges

Dawson Coyle

Inspirational singer/songwriter Dawson Coyle performs music of a pop/soul genre with a very clear message dealing with the valleys and mountaintops of the life in which we live. His goal is to encourage people to find hope and to live life and its challenges day by day.

The 20-year-old Williamstown, NJ native and contestant on the national television show “The Voice,” is proud of his community and its support, especially for the inspiration it has shown in encouraging him to continue pursuing his dream to make music that makes a difference. This is shown by all the amazing individuals who approach him and his team after his concerts who have connected with his music and are given hope.

Coyle connects with his listeners through his songwriting. His CD “Battle Cry” was recorded and produced during a very difficult, yet inspiring, time when he and his family lost their home to a devastating fire in 2016. The songs on the album address the defeats and victories that come with this life journey, as well as some lighthearted and beautiful interpretations of love.

His latest released work is an original 10 song album which he wrote, produced and engineered on his own, titled “Saturns Perspective.”

Among Coyle’s awards and recognitions have been the 2015 Best New Artist Kindred Award, the 2015 Top Three Finalist Delmarva Idol, the 2016 Kindred Choice Award, and the 2017 Knock Out Rounds, on NBC’s “The Voice.

He has performed in venues in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts, Los Angeles, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.

Coyle is also a vocal coach and enjoys sharing his passion of singing and guitar with his students.

Kathi Testa Epifanio

Professional vocalist Kathi Testa Epifanio has performed in many New York, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City venues, as well as being a soloist for several area churches. With over 40 years of experience, she has a repertoire that covers many styles of music, including classical, jazz, and big band to contemporary and pop.

For over 22 years, Epifanio owned a retail music store and lesson facility in Vineland, where she implemented an early childhood music program, which she taught for eight years. 

She has also used her skills as a vocal coach, working with young adults who are performing in school musicals or pageants.

Epifanio continues to perform in restaurants and lounges throughout the South Jersey and Philadelphia area.

Frank Guaracini, Jr.

Frank Guaracini, Jr. is an entrepreneur and commercial real estate developer. A lifelong Vineland resident, he is known for his passion for the performing arts and for being a major benefactor to Cumberland County College’s Frank Guaracini, Jr. Fine and Performing Arts Center.

He attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, specializing in theatre, film, and television. While there, he developed a network of performing arts—subsequently befriending legendary producers Alexander Cohen and Hildy Parks, who produced the Tony Awards for CBS over a decade.

Guaracini and his wife collaborated with Cohen, investing in and partially producing a successful murder mystery thriller, “The Accomplice,” which appeared on Broadway.

He has attended numerous awards shows, such as the Tony Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and along with his wife, co-chaired the premiere party on Broadway for “The Accomplice.”

Guaracini has worked with many entertainers and also co-produced the Cumberland County College Academy Awards Gala for five years, raising substantial funds for the college’s Foundation.

Rucsandra Maniaci (“Miss Sandra”)

Rucsandra Maniaci has been the owner of The Arts of the Dance Centre, in Vineland, since 2016 where she is known as “Miss Sandra.” In this capacity, she runs the studio’s Pre-professional Ballet Program. conducts classes, workshops, and private sessions to teach technique, pointe, variations, stretching, and conditioning. She has managed summer dance programs having as guests, internationally recognized dance teachers and popular local artists.

Born in Bucharest Rumania, she was chosen at age four to attend the “Triumph” Sports Club gymnastics team. She was trained by coaches responsible for the national Junior Olympic team, progressing into classical ballet at age nine and studying at The National Opera House in the junior program.

In 1985, Maniaci was accepted in the State Ballet School in Bucharest. Here, she studied classical ballet, the Russian Vaganova method being used as technique and training system. During this time, she also participated in ballet recitals, competitions and performed in many of the classic ballets. She graduated in 1994 as a Professional Ballerina with a degree recognized worldwide and her attention to technique became her focal point. She often provided private tutoring young & aspiring ballet students. 

After moving to the United States, she resumed her dancing career, taking classes with Miss Jill Graves and has worked closely with the Arts of The Dance Centre since 2009, bringing her knowledge, discipline & expertise. She choreographed and performed in the annual year-end Recital. 

Maniaci continues to attend dance workshops and master classes. She is very honored to be a certified and licensed “Progressing Ballet Technique” teacher. She is also an authorized Gaynor Minden pointe shoe fitter and retailer. She is also certified as a Zumba fitness instructor and in CPR.