Two Exceptional Talents Advance In The 7th Annual Your Big Break Talent Competition

The "Your Big Break" talent competition's first knockout round was held on Saturday, February 9th at the Gold Coast Arts Center in Great Neck, and featured eight local aspiring musicians. At the end, only two advanced to the next round. Lindenhurst, Long Island resident Arizona Lindsey was one of two performers, along with Jackie Romeo of Massapequa, Long Island, to move on to the second knockout round at the Arts Center on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 8 p.m.

Lindsey, 22, is a country pop singer/songwriter who gave a passionate vocal performance with and heartfelt and powerful lyrics. She is also a passionate mental health advocate who strives to de-stigmatize mental health issues through her music and through intimate conversations with her fanbase. She recently released a single and accompanying music video, "The Desired Way," that was inspired by, and tackled topics such as grief, loss and how to help those who may be grieving.

Last July, Lindsey's debut album, The Castle You Built Me, struck a chord with the public by selling out the album's release show held at a local theater. The album has since been on sale in areas across the U.S., Australia, and Japan. In the summer of 2017, Lindsey went on tour, performing at venues around Long Island, in Manhattan, New Jersey, the Hudson Valley region, and Nashville. Arizona Lindsey photo by Karen Rubin.

Massapequa's Jackie Romeo, 15, whose musical genre includes soul, pop, and rhythm & blues, has been singing since childhood, but she has gotten serious with her music over the last two years. She has performed with Long Island native, singer/songwriter, producer, and actress Debbie Gibson and her Electric Youth Workshop. She has sung the national anthem for The Town of Oyster Bay's summer music in the parks concerts. Romeo, who showcases her talent on her own YouTube channel, is no stranger to competition, having won her middle school's talent competition, which was covered by WBLI radio. She is excited about competing in "Your Big Break" and looks forward to the next round.

"Your Big Break" is presented by the Gold Coast Arts Center, Love Revolution Org, and the Rick Eberle Agency. Now in its seventh year, "Your Big Break" contestants get the chance to perform before music business insiders while competing for great prizes, hoping to get that "big break" to propel their careers to the next level.

Among the prizes contestants compete for include the chance to open for national acts at Revolution Bar & Music Hall in Amityville, NY; recording time at The Loft Sound Studio in Syosset, NY; public relations and social media campaign consultation with the Rick Eberle Agency; musical equipment from All Music Inc. and ZOOM North America; feature on ReverbNation.com; and a feature article in Good Times Magazine.

Knockout Round 2 is on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) at the Gold Coast Arts Center, 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck. Tickets are on sale online for $15, $10 for students by visiting http://bit.ly/2GHnZRz. Tickets purchased at the door are $20 (subject to availability).

About the Gold Coast Arts Center
The Gold Coast Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the arts through education, exhibition, performance and outreach. Located on the North Shore of Long Island, it has brought the arts to tens of thousands of people throughout the region for over 20 years. Among the Center's offerings are its School for the Arts, which holds year-round classes in visual and performing arts for students of all ages and abilities; a free public art gallery; a concert and lecture series; film screenings and discussions; the annual Gold Coast International Film Festival; and initiatives that focus on senior citizens and underserved communities. These initiatives include artist residencies, after-school programs, school assemblies, teacher-training workshops and parent-child workshops. The Gold Coast Arts Center is an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education program, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. More information can be found at www.goldcoastarts.org.

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