With the fall weather settling in at dusk, Biola gathered on a crisp night with a warm feel, to watch the fall talent show, featuring performances from Drew Magro (Artist name “Merge Left”), Ryan Youd, Abby Jackson and Susanna Paredes, Emma Hills, Peyton Ogle and the Baker’s Dozen, Caden Svendsen, Caleb Wenz, Sarah Ujifusa, Evan Escamilla and his band, Jasmine Smith, and Kyle Bryson. Friday night, October 25th, students gathered on Metzger Lawn on blankets and lawn chairs with family and friends to watch an event that emcee Livi Lent-Koop described as “the opportunity [for students] to showcase their passion and creative prowess in front of their peers, their families, and faculty.”
The acts were a mixture of singers performing covers, duets, and original music, including skits, a choral Christmas arrangement, and an act illustrating “the duality of man,” as commented on by one of the judges. Judges Chad Miller, Kimberly Edwards, and Mark Muha brought their humor and feedback to each of the performances while emcees Lent-Koop and Micah Eastman engaged the crowd with trivia questions between acts.
Reflecting on the event, English major and freshman Tori Kim commented, “It felt like I was at the live ‘America’s Got Talent.’ I loved seeing all the diversity and all of the different talents and genres of music up there. It was cool.”
At the end of the show, the crowd got to vote on the winners. While votes were tallied, an electric performance from one of Biola’s dance teams XOPOC entertained the audience.
THE WINNERS
In third place, Emma Hills won with her performance of her original song, “Forever I Want to Love You.”
In second place came Peyton Ogle and the Baker’s Dozen for bringing their Christmas spirit with a comical rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
Finally, taking home first place for his interpretive skit and musical performance featuring fan favorites such as “A Whole New World” from Aladdin and “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie, was Caleb Wenz.
TALKING WITH THE WINNING CONTESTANTS
Interviewing the top three contestants revealed their gratitude for the opportunity to perform and share their music.
Music major and senior Emma Hills shared insights about her original song and the inspiration behind it.
“I think relationships, whether it’s friendship or romantic, just become a really huge theme of life at this age, and kind of realizing […] how special it is to want to spend the rest of your life with another person,” Hills said.
Her song felt like fall and sweetly spoke of finding a home in a person.
“I really love the idea of the details of another person that you love about them, whether it’s the good or the bad, and also recognizing, you don’t have to be perfect to enter into a relationship,” Hills said. “Like you’re growing and living life together, whether it’s a good season or a bad season, accepting that person fully for who they are.”
Upon being asked about the process leading up to their Christmas performance, junior English major Peyton Ogle said, “Most of us are guys in the Biola Chorale, and there is a guys group called ‘Straight No Chaser’ that do sort of like these barber shop sort of songs. And I thought it’d be a fun twist to do a holiday medley, and I enjoy the song. And I thought, why not find some guys to sing it with me?”
Finally, first-place winner and CMA major Caleb Wenz shared his reaction to the win. “I’m just surprised. I just came to entertain some people and have some fun, and I think I accomplished that, and now I’m just kind of in shock, holding this golden pumpkin,” Wenz said.
Punk-n-Pie wrapped up with thanks to contributors and complimentary pumpkin pie slices on the Sycamore Lawn beside Calvary Chapel.
Many of the acts from this event have music on all streaming platforms — check them out to support our very own artists: Merge Left, Emma Hills, and Evan Escamilla.
