Bill Riley Talent Search Finals 8.20.23

Humboldt Vocal Soloist Wins 2023 Iowa State Fair Bill Riley Talent Search

Elle Clark of Humboldt placed first in the senior division during the championship round of the 63^rd annual Bill Riley Talent Search Competition held Sunday, August 20, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair. Clark was awarded a $10,000 prize for her vocal solo.

Lucy Gannon of West Des Moines was awarded second place and $5,000 for her piano solo.

Third place and $2,500 went to Claire Southard and Andre Johnson of Des Moines with their contemporary dance solo.

Fourth place went to Lauren Carney of Parkersburg with her musical theater vocal solo.

Fifth place was awarded to Nelley Pelzer, James Brown, Kylie Templeton, and Drayce Moore, of Atlantic, for their clogging quartet.

Acts competed statewide to qualify for competition in this year’s Bill Riley Talent Search at the Iowa State Fair. The championship round took place on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor iHeart Radio. Bill Riley, Jr. hosted the show.

More than $20,000 was awarded to the senior and sprout divisions combined.

Sprout winners included:

Reese Freml, Johnston, Tap Solo

Mya Burns, Sioux City, Vocal Solo

Michael Smith, Waterloo, Vocal Solo

Katelynn Larson, West Des Moines, Lyrical/Contemporary Solo

Abby Lorch, North Liberty, Violin Solo

Vivian Speck, Dayton, Vocal Solo

Ethan Larsen, Rubik’s Cube Solver, Ankeny