As excitement continues to build for this summer’s event, Hometown Voices and Nashville Stories, Seeds of Learning Early Care and Education Center is proud to begin introducing the talented local performers who will take the stage at this year’s fundraising event on Aug. 24, at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts.
This unique competition pairs hometown talent with an unforgettable evening of music, storytelling and inspiration from acclaimed Nashville Hall of Fame and award-winning singer-songwriters Jeffrey Steele, Wendell Mobley, Danny Myrick and Megan Linville.
Contestants will compete for both Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice honors while helping raise critical funds to support Seeds of Learning’s high-quality early childhood education programs.
The first performers featured in our contestant spotlight series are Stetson and Cia Adkisson, competing as a duet, along with solo artists Leela Simpson and Dawn Siggett.
Stetson and Cia Adkisson are a husband-and-wife duo and longtime residents of Pagosa Springs. Stetson Adkisson grew up in Pagosa cowboying, outfitting, fly-fishing and is a finish carpenter by trade. Cia Adkisson grew up in California in a musical family and now provides rental guest services here in town. After traveling and playing music together for several years, the duo now focuses primarily on raising their three children. They still perform on occasion for church and special events and are excited to be part of Hometown Voices and Nashville Stories.
Simpson is a 16-year-old who’s had a passion for lighting up the stage by singing, dancing and acting since the age of 5. Over the last 10 years, she has appeared in numerous productions with Thingamajig Theatre Company, as well as middle and high school shows, and musicals with Curtains Up Pagosa. She has also been studying voice and piano with Venita Burch since she was 7. Through a program at the middle school, Simpson enjoyed reading and working with the kids at Seeds of Learning. She’s incredibly grateful for this opportunity to sing and help raise money for her community’s early education center.
Originally from Michigan, Siggett moved to Pagosa Springs with her husband in 2021, drawn by the stunning views and the lifestyle that comes with living near the mountains. Twice a week, Siggett teaches a cardio dance class, and her habit of singing along to the music sparked something unexpected: she began singing for friends and family. With the help of talented friends on guitar, they’ve spent the past year performing at open mic nights, around campfires and in living rooms filled with people they love. Siggett is excited to be part of Seeds’ voice competition this year.
Each singer brings a unique musical style, personality and passion to the stage, making this year’s competition one of the most exciting community events of the summer.
Additional singers will be debuted next week.