Five new contestants will be vying for scholarships and an opportunity to perform internationally at the Singing for Success II competition next Sunday.

Singing for Success II will take place at the Fairmont Southampton on August 31. The singers will compete for scholarships to well known American music schools as well as other prizes.

The contestants are Lauren Easton, Ryan Bean, Larrita Adderley, Maurita Richardson and Jonae Smith.

Each spoke to this paper about their hopes, aspirations and what they hoped to gain from taking part in the competition.

Lauren Easton, 16, said she will compete in the hopes of finding help with her education. "I auditioned for the Singing for Success II competition because I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to be able to compete for a scholarship for a school that I am interested in attending," she said.

"Being in the show would be a good experience and, not to mention, I love to sing."

Miss Easton said she was impressed by her competition, however. "When I heard all of the other entrants, I kept wondering if I would be chosen, because I'm not really that good at auditions," she said.

She has been singing since the age of six and is currently in the Bermuda Institute school choir.

Her aim is to become a performing artist. She loves all forms of music. "From a young age, my parents exposed me to music from all parts of the world, from Classical to Bossa Nova," she said.

Ryan Bean, 25, believes entering the competition will raise his profile. "I auditioned for a better chance of exposure to see if I could get a greater chance to go further with my craft," he said.

While the talent pool is deep, he looks forward to competing. "I felt I had a chance when I heard the other entrants even though they were really talented," he said.

Mr. Bean has been singing for about 13 years. "I would love to see my singing career go as far as it can," he said. "So that I can let the world know how passionate I am about entertaining people with my blessed gift from God."

On his favourite genre, he said: "I would have to say that, out of my many favourites, the genre that remains on the top of my list would have to be R & B, because in my opinion, ladies like R & B more than other music, and I like to please the ladies."

Larrita Adderley, 26, who has already won Amateur Night at the Apollo, said that she auditioned because it was another avenue to follow in the pursuit of her career goals. "I felt that it's an open door," she said.

While she already attended College in Alabama, where she studied music and nursing, Miss Adderley said she would like to return to school and welcomes the opportunities offered by Singing for Success' scholarship prize.

He first memory of song is of coming home from nursery school and singing with her grandmother on the piano. "When I realised that it was a gift, was when I won the JaKoMa Entertainment competition in 2003," she said. "I haven't stopped going since thanks to Lamont Robinson who is a visionary."

Like the other singers to perform, she said she loves all music: "I think it's because I have a fond appreciation for so many styles of music, however, I definitely have a true passionate connection to Jazz, Blues and Soul."

Maurita Richardson, 29, said she auditioned for the show with a clear goal in mind. "Because I believed that this positive initiative had the potential to provide me with an opportunity to assist in furthering my education in vocal Jazz studies at one of the most prestigious music schools in the world — The Berklee School of Music," she said.

She added: "As a Jazz vocalist, songwriter and musician, I believe an opportunity of this magnitude will place me in the right musical and educational environment to help further refine my craft as a professional musician and artist."

Miss Richardson has been singing "forever". "I would have to say that I've been singing for my entire life, from the moment I could talk," she said.

"My earliest memory in fact, is of my grandma teaching me to sing songs to her on the telephone. I guess you can say from that point on, I was literally hooked.

"Whether it was in school plays, girl groups or in church choirs to performing in jazz clubs, at weddings and even in the Bermuda Music Festivals, singing has always been a major part of my life."

She wants music to be a full-time career. "I personally am working toward taking my singing and song writing career to a professional level with a focus on creating, performing and marketing original music that will attract the adult contemporary jazz and soul markets at an international level," she said.

Jonae Smith, 20, is entering the competition filled with confidence. "I felt I stood a good chance of winning," she said. "I placed well in the Bermuda Idol and I knew I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me."

She added: "I am very humble when I say, 'yes, I knew I had a chance'."

Miss Smith hopes Singing for Success will help her reach her future goals. "I always say, 'The sky is the limit so,' a record deal would be great!"

She has been singing since the age of seven and was also in the Bermuda Institute Choir.

On her preferred musical genre, she replied: "I love many different types of music and have grown to appreciate them all, however, my greatest love is Gospel and R&B."

Tickets, $65 in advance and $75 at the door, are available from the iStore, Shannon's Boutique and People's Pharmacy. Doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime is at 7 p.m. For more information, please call 504-8790.