Diva Quest Opens Auditions for 2026 High School Vocal Scholarship Program

Copied!

Diva Quest 2025 Finalists
(David Beckman Photo)

KENOSHA, Wis. — Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois high school singers are invited to audition for Diva Quest, a nonprofit scholarship program that showcases young women’s vocal talent and awards college-bound scholarships. The program, created in partnership with Riverport Chorus, is open to girls in grades 9–12 and emphasizes performance growth, confidence, and musicianship.

Paid Advertisement

Co-founder Susan Nelson said the goal since 2007 has been to help young singers become stronger, more confident performers, a vision made real through the annual Diva Quest program with Riverport Chorus. Co-founder Lisa Mushel noted last year’s winner received $1,750 in scholarship funds, with additional awards to runners-up.

Paid Advertisement

How to audition
Applicants may submit video auditions now through October 31. Each audition must include two songs from two different musical genres. Videos should be emailed to [email protected]; clear audio is required, but professional studio quality is not necessary. An online application and a list of mandatory rehearsal dates are available at riverportchorus.org/divaquest.

Paid Advertisement

Selection and coaching
Auditions will be reviewed by a panel of experienced judges who evaluate sound, music, expression, and showmanship. Ten finalists will be chosen for the live show. In the lead-up to the event, finalists receive mentoring from musicians and music educators in song selection, vocal presentation, and stage performance. They will also learn a four-part a cappella piece to perform with Riverport Chorus. Most rehearsals are held Monday evenings at Wilmot Union High School, 11112 308th Ave., Wilmot.

Paid Advertisement

Finals night
The Diva Quest Scholarship Program finals will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Journey Church, 10700 75th St., Kenosha. Finalists will perform for a judging panel and a live-voting audience, alongside Riverport Chorus and other entertainers.

Paid Advertisement

Recent finalists have represented schools across the region, including Alden Hebron, Antioch, Badger, Burlington, Carmel Catholic, Christian Life, Crystal Lake Central, Elkhorn, Indian Trail, Libertyville, Mundelein, Racine Horlick, Round Lake, Shoreland Lutheran, Stevenson, Tremper, Union Grove, Vernon Hills, Waterford, Waukesha South, Westosha Central, Whitnall, Wilmot Union, and others.

Paid Advertisement

Riverport Chorus—a Sweet Adelines International chapter that marked its 60th anniversary in 2024 and earned the Region 3 2025 Audience Choice Award—rehearses Mondays at 7 p.m. at Wilmot Union High School. Guests are welcome.

Paid Advertisement

Paid Advertisement

Author

Kevin Mathewson

Kevin Mathewson is a disciple of Christ, husband and a father to two wonderful children. Mathewson was born and raised in Lake County, IL and worked as a police & fire dispatcher from 2005 to 2010 in Round Lake Beach, IL. Mathewson moved to Kenosha County in 2006, later being elected to the position of Alderman of the 8th District in 2012 and 2016. Mathewson is a private investigator, security contractor, journalist, and photographer. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, camping and boating. His favorite amendment is the second, followed closely by the first. He loves his country and community.

View All Articles

Copied!

LATEST NEWS

Plus +

Kenosha Man Accused Of Threatening To Bomb School, Kill Everyone And Murder Health Clinic Staff – Kellum Sets Laughable $150 Cash Bail

Kyle R. Kohnke, 36, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of threatening to blow up a school, kill everyone inside, and murder employees of a local health clinic was charged Wednesday with a felony and a misdemeanor. Kyle R. Kohnke, 36, of Kenosha, faces one felony count of making terrorist threats and one misdemeanor count of disorderly

November 4, 2026 11 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Man, 18, Now Charged With Attempted Murder After Allegedly Stabbing Girlfriend In Head: DA Solis Personally Reviews Evidence, Kellum Sets $500,000 Cash Bail

Anthony R. Garcia, 18, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — An 18-year-old Kenosha man accused of brutally beating, repeatedly strangling and stabbing his girlfriend in the head with a large kitchen knife is now charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide after Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis personally reviewed the evidence and upgraded the original charge. Anthony R. Garcia, 18, of

November 4, 2026 1 Comment

City Of Kenosha Reminds Residents Of 24-Hour Snow Removal Deadline, Warns Of Possible Fines As Winter Approaches

KENOSHA, Wis. — With winter weather approaching, the City of Kenosha is reminding residents and property owners that they are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after a winter storm ends. Those who fail to comply with the city’s snow removal ordinance could face fines,

November 4, 2026 2 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Man Who Brutally Attacked Three Teenage Girls, Received Just 60 Days In Jail, Now Charged With Another Felony Bail Jumping After Allegedly Drinking While On Bond

Amir M. Farhan, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Amir M. Farhan, 22, of Kenosha, who previously received just 60 days in jail after brutally attacking three teenage girls during a January incident, is facing another felony charge after authorities say an electronic alcohol-monitoring device detected him

November 4, 2026 8 Comments

Plus +

Pleasant Prairie Man Charged With 33 Felonies Involving Child Pornography And 23 Dead Reptiles: Commissioner Kellum Refuses To Increase $100,000 Cash Bail

Joseph W. Losch, 42, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Joseph W. Losch, 42, of Pleasant Prairie, is facing 33 felony charges after investigators allegedly discovered hundreds of videos and photographs depicting the sexual assault of children, along with 23 dead reptiles inside his home. Losch

November 4, 2026 8 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Man Facing 11 Criminal Charges, Including Two Felonies And OWI 3rd, After Deputies Find Fentanyl, Heroin, Crack Cocaine, Switchblade And $9,500 In Cash

Randy Jameson, 58, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Randy Jameson, 58, of Kenosha, is facing 11 criminal charges, including two felonies and OWI 3rd, after Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputies allegedly discovered fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, a concealed switchblade knife and $9,500 in cash during an investigation

November 4, 2026 No Comments

Plus +

Illinois Man Charged With Felony Stalking, Criminal Trespass After Allegedly Harassing Woman, Entering Her Kenosha Home Without Permission

Derek J. Daugherty, 40, of Ingleside, Illinois(Facebook.com) KENOSHA, Wis. — Derek J. Daugherty, 40, of Ingleside, Illinois, has been charged in Kenosha County Circuit Court with felony stalking and misdemeanor criminal trespass to a dwelling after allegedly repeatedly harassing a Kenosha woman, showing up at her workplace, entering her home

November 4, 2026 5 Comments

Plus +

Pleasant Prairie Man Accused Of Beating Girlfriend, Taking Her Phone To Prevent Police Call; Arrested After Police Spot Him In Lyft

Thomas A. Polk, 57, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Thomas A. Polk, 57, of Pleasant Prairie, is facing two criminal misdemeanor charges after prosecutors say he pushed his girlfriend to the ground, struck her multiple times, and forcibly took her cellphone to prevent her from

November 4, 2026 No Comments

Authors

Add a Comment Cancel reply

LATEST NEWS

Plus +

Kenosha Man Accused Of Threatening To Bomb School, Kill Everyone And Murder Health Clinic Staff – Kellum Sets Laughable $150 Cash Bail

November 4, 2026 11 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Man, 18, Now Charged With Attempted Murder After Allegedly Stabbing Girlfriend In Head: DA Solis Personally Reviews Evidence, Kellum Sets $500,000 Cash Bail

November 4, 2026 1 Comment

City Of Kenosha Reminds Residents Of 24-Hour Snow Removal Deadline, Warns Of Possible Fines As Winter Approaches

November 4, 2026 2 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Man Who Brutally Attacked Three Teenage Girls, Received Just 60 Days In Jail, Now Charged With Another Felony Bail Jumping After Allegedly Drinking While On Bond

November 4, 2026 8 Comments

Plus +

Pleasant Prairie Man Charged With 33 Felonies Involving Child Pornography And 23 Dead Reptiles: Commissioner Kellum Refuses To Increase $100,000 Cash Bail

November 4, 2026 8 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Man Facing 11 Criminal Charges, Including Two Felonies And OWI 3rd, After Deputies Find Fentanyl, Heroin, Crack Cocaine, Switchblade And $9,500 In Cash

November 4, 2026 No Comments

Plus +

Illinois Man Charged With Felony Stalking, Criminal Trespass After Allegedly Harassing Woman, Entering Her Kenosha Home Without Permission

November 4, 2026 5 Comments

Plus +

Pleasant Prairie Man Accused Of Beating Girlfriend, Taking Her Phone To Prevent Police Call; Arrested After Police Spot Him In Lyft

November 4, 2026 No Comments

Union Grove High School Superintendent Arrested In Kenosha County Child Pornography Investigation – Two Felony Charges Referred To Prosecutors

Editor’s Note: Updated 11/4/2026 at 2:56 p.m. to include a response from the School Board President. KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Thomas William Johnson, 51, of Burlington, the superintendent of Union Grove High School, was arrested Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026, following a child pornography investigation conducted by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives are seeking two felony counts of possession of child pornography

November 4, 2026 11 Comments

Liberal Kenosha Judge Deals Devastating Blow To Guardians Of The Children, Declares Mistrial In Child Sexual Assault Case: Family Outraged, Juror Disputes Claims Of Intimidation

KENOSHA, Wis. — Guardians of the Children is a nonprofit motorcycle organization whose mission is to recognize and respond to child abuse, educate the public, provide strength and stability to families in crisis, and give abused children the courage, support and protection they desperately need. Founded in San Antonio, Texas, in 2006, the organization has spent 20 years helping vulnerable children confront some

November 4, 2026 20 Comments

Kenosha County Announces Veterans Day Celebrations, Ceremonies And Free Breakfasts Throughout The Community

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County will honor the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces with a series of Veterans Day ceremonies, breakfasts, school programs and community celebrations beginning Thursday, November 5, and continuing through Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11. The events, organized by schools, veterans organizations, local governments and community groups, will provide numerous opportunities for residents

November 4, 2026 No Comments

Democrats Dominate Kenosha County Election Results As Blue Wave Sweeps Wisconsin; Steil Defeat Stuns Voters, Sheffler Wins Courthouse Race

KENOSHA, Wis. — Democrats dominated Tuesday’s November 3, 2026, general election in Kenosha County, winning nearly every contested race on the county’s ballot and delivering a significant blow to Republicans. The election was part of a broader Democratic wave across Wisconsin that saw Republican candidates struggle even in areas where they have traditionally enjoyed strong support. According to unofficial results released by Kenosha

November 4, 2026 24 Comments

Drug-Using Therapist Niccolai Claims Wisconsin ‘Closed The Case’ On Complaints Against Her License To Practice Therapy; State Says Complaints Remain Open

KENOSHA, Wis. — Nearly two years after a community member filed a licensing complaint that advanced into a formal investigation, the State of Wisconsin says complaints against drug-using therapist Jacqueline P. Niccolai, 39, of Kenosha, remain open. That undercuts the impression she gave her cult followers Monday when she announced that the state had “CLOSED THE CASE.” I know some Kenosha County Eye

November 4, 2026 8 Comments

Plus +

New Revelations Raise Questions About Transparency At All Saints Catholic School Amid Embezzlement Investigation; KCE Hears From Archdiocese

Rania Fleifel Khoury, 48, of Sturtevant(Facebook.com) KENOSHA, Wis. — New information obtained by Kenosha County Eye is raising serious questions about transparency and financial oversight at All Saints Catholic School amid an ongoing Kenosha Police Department investigation involving Rania Fleifel Khoury, 48, of Sturtevant. Khoury, who was employed by Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and provided contracted business management services to

November 3, 2026 3 Comments

Mistrial Looms In Child Sexual Assault Case After Guardians Of The Children Escort Alleged Victim Into Courtroom; Judge Sends Jury Home

KENOSHA, Wis. — A dramatic development Tuesday afternoon threatened to derail the child sexual assault trial of Micah Jonathan Dillon, 19, of Salem, Wisconsin, after several members of the Guardians of the Children motorcycle organization entered a Kenosha County courtroom alongside the alleged victim, prompting defense counsel to demand a mistrial. Judge Jason Rossell (D) expressed concern about the circumstances, dismissed the jury

November 3, 2026 19 Comments

Former Kenosha County Deputy Ryan Romano Dies At 45; Police Investigating Possible Overdose

KENOSHA, Wis. — Ryan Joseph Romano, 45, of Kenosha, a former Kenosha County sheriff’s deputy, died Friday morning, October 30. Kenosha Police say the death investigation has signs of a drug overdose, but the cause of death remains undetermined pending the medical examiner’s findings. Romano leaves behind an adult son and a daughter nearing adulthood, both living in Florida. He also leaves many

November 3, 2026 3 Comments

Kenosha’s 34-Foot, 5,500-Pound Christmas Tree Arrives Downtown Ahead Of Annual Lightin’ Up Celebration

KENOSHA, Wis. — Christmas came a little early to downtown Kenosha Tuesday as the city’s official 2026 Christmas tree made its way to Veterans Memorial Park. The massive 34-foot Colorado blue spruce, weighing approximately 5,500 pounds, was donated by Kenosha Bible Church and transported across the city with a police escort before being carefully positioned in its new home along the downtown lakefront.

November 3, 2026 5 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Man, 18, Accused Of Stabbing Girlfriend In Head With Butcher Knife, Strangling Her Up To 10 Times During Hours-Long Domestic Abuse Attack: Five Felony Charges Filed

Anthony R. Garcia, 18, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — An 18-year-old Kenosha man is facing five felony charges after prosecutors say he subjected his girlfriend to a terrifying, hours-long attack inside her Kenosha apartment, repeatedly strangling her, slamming her head against walls and floors, threatening to kill her, and ultimately stabbing her in the head with a large kitchen knife.

November 3, 2026 16 Comments

Plus +

Racine Man Already Out On Bail For Armed Robbery Charged With Three New Felonies After Deputies Find Stolen, Loaded Glock With Modified Trigger

Steven Devon Miller, 20, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — A 20-year-old Racine man already out on bail for an armed robbery charge is facing three new felonies after Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputies allegedly discovered a stolen, loaded handgun with a suspected forced reset trigger during a traffic stop Tuesday. Steven Devon Miller, 20, of Racine, appeared before Kenosha County Court

November 3, 2026 4 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Mother Accused Of Beating Minor Son With Metal Baking Pans, Denting One From Force Of Blows — Commissioner Kellum Releases Her On No-Cash Bail

Elba Milagros Madriz, 41, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 41-year-old Kenosha woman accused of repeatedly striking her minor son with metal baking pans, including blows powerful enough to dent one of the pans, was released Tuesday on no-cash bail by Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum. Elba Milagros Madriz, 41, of Kenosha, was charged Tuesday, November

November 3, 2026 3 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Man Accused Of Brutal Group Beating, Robbery Arrested More Than Two Years Later — Commissioner Sets Only $2,500 Cash Bail

Amare Lavant Burks, 21, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Amare Lavant Burks, 21, of Kenosha, appeared in court Tuesday, November 3, 2026, more than two years after being charged with two felonies stemming from a violent group beating and robbery in June 2024. Burks, who is charged with substantial battery and robbery with use of force, appeared before Kenosha County

November 3, 2026 No Comments

Plus +

Prosecutors Refile Third OWI Charge Against Genoa City Man Who Threatened To Sue Kenosha County Eye Over Original Story — Blood Test Reveals .233 BAC

Michael Shawn Guilfoil, 64, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) RANDALL, Wis. — Michael Shawn Guilfoil, 64, of Genoa City, is once again facing criminal drunk driving charges after Kenosha County prosecutors refiled a third-offense OWI charge against him Monday, November 2, 2026. The new charge comes less than two weeks after his previous criminal case was dismissed and just eight days after

November 3, 2026 6 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Man Charged With OWI 3rd After Police Find SUV Nearly Colliding With Parked Vehicle

Eric Colon, 50, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 50-year-old Kenosha man with two previous drunk driving convictions was criminally charged Tuesday with his third OWI after Kenosha Police allegedly found him behind the wheel of a disabled SUV, showing significant signs of intoxication and refusing multiple requests to perform field sobriety tests. Eric Colon, 50, of Kenosha, faces up

November 3, 2026 No Comments

Liberal Kenosha Alderman Anthony Kennedy Gets Restraining Order Against Sexual-Misconduct Accuser; Attorney Questions Filing

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Alderman Anthony Kennedy (D), 59, of Kenosha, has obtained a temporary harassment restraining order against Whitney Cabal after she publicly accused him of seeking sexual favors in connection with financial assistance. Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum signed the order, which follows a petition alleging that Cabal accused Kennedy of soliciting prostitution, called him a sexual

November 2, 2026 32 Comments