Aggie Voice showcases student talent and community
Cheers and laughter filled the TSC on Jan. 7 as students took the stage for Utah State University’s Aggie Voice, a vocal competition that transformed a typical evening into a showcase of talent, creativity, and campus pride.
Eight talented contestants, Alivia Hadfield, Aly Burns, Austin Nielson, Brielle McWillis, Claire Bailey, Dawson Dimmick, Kinley Hess and Olivia Bench, sang for a crowd of fellow students, friends, and faculty.
Hosted by USUSA, Aggie Voice not only showcased the musical talents of the students but also highlighted the creativity, courage, and community spirit of USU.
Each performer sang a song of their choice, and the audience voted to determine the top three finalists, who then performed again for a panel of judges that consisted of Lily Takemoto, senator for the Caine College of the Arts, Thomas Glenn, USU voice professor, and USU President Brad L. Mortensen.
Dane Johnson President Brad L. Mortensen judges the Aggie Voice competition in the TSC Ballroom.
The competition’s winner, Claire Bailey, said she decided to audition as a way to reconnect with her creative side after an academically demanding semester.
“I literally spent all of last semester studying and just working my butt off, and I wanted to do something creative,” Bailey said. “I grew up doing creative things all the time. I went to an arts high school and loved it, but now I’m studying nursing here at USU, so I don’t really get to sing that often.”
Bailey said singing has been her primary form of expression since childhood and that nerves helped fuel her performance rather than hinder it.
“When I’m anxious and stressed, I always perform my best,” Bailey said. “The adrenaline just gets around.”
For the final round, Bailey played guitar and sang The House of the Rising Sun.
“I like to reimagine songs and work with a more contemporary freedom of voice,” Bailey said.
As the winner, Bailey received $100 and the opportunity to record a song with Aggie Radio.
Another contestant, Dawson Dimmick, said he decided to participate after encouragement from friends and family.
“One of my roommates mentioned it to me, and I didn’t even know about the event,” Dimmick said. “My friends and family encouraged me, so I thought, ‘ Why not?”
Dimmick said that although he felt nervous before performing, the supportive atmosphere helped ease his anxiety.
“I just kept reminding myself that the experience was meant to be fun,” Dimmick said. “Once I got up there and started singing, it wasn’t as scary.”
In addition to performing, contestants said rehearsals before the competition allowed them to get to know each other and build friendships, making the experience less intimidating and more enjoyable.
“Everyone was so supportive, and it made the whole experience fun,” Bailey said. “I loved getting to perform with such talented people and see everyone cheer each other on.”
Dimmick said the encouragement from the audience made the experience even more memorable.
“The Aggie spirit really showed,” Dimmick said. “Everyone was cheering, and even if you messed up, nobody cared. It was just fun.”
As the evening ended and winners were announced, participants said the experience itself was the most rewarding part. Aggie Voice showed how stepping outside one’s comfort zone can create connections and give students a chance to share their talents.
“Life’s too short not to put yourself out there,” Bailey said. “The best things happen when you step outside your comfort zone.”