As anticipation continues to grow for Hometown Voices and Nashville Stories, Seeds of Learning Early Care and Education Center is excited to continue showcasing 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 one-of-a-kind event combines 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 vital funds to support Seeds of Learning’s high-quality early childhood education programs.
The second group of performers featured in our contestant spotlight series includes Annita and Wim Bens, competing as a duet, along with solo artists Darcy DeGuise and Shellie Dolan.
Annita and Wim Bens are a mother-and-son duo. Annita Bens is deeply involved in supporting the Pagosa Springs community and enjoys being connected with many organizations and great people through a joint ownership of a downtown business. She has also been a supporter of Seeds of Learning for many years, participating in the Dancing with The Pagosa Stars fundraiser in 2019. Annita Bens is sure that she could sing before she could talk. It sparked her crush on her husband and vice versa when they were 16, performing at their high school together. Her lifelong wish to sing with her talented son, Wim Bens, is a dream come true. Wim Bens, being raised by two music-loving parents on a balanced diet of Gloria Gainer, Bob Marley, the Beatles and Pavarotti to name just a few, spent years behind the mic at karaoke, building confidence and learning how to read a room. They are both honored and excited to participate in this year’s fundraiser for Seeds of Learning.
Darcy DeGuise started performing at the age of 13 as Kim in her high school’s production of “Bye, Bye Birdie!” At that point she was hooked and began taking voice lessons to improve her instrument. After graduating college with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music from Ohio University, she apprenticed as a young artist with the Cincinnati Opera. Now, a high school English teacher, DeGuise fills what little free time she has when she isn’t teaching cross-country and downhill skiing; walking her dog, Bosco; cooking; and performing whenever she has the notion. As an educator and a lifelong learner, DeGuise values the early education opportunities that Seeds of Learning provides for our young children in Pagosa Springs and is delighted to participate in this fundraising opportunity.
From singing on stage and opening for legends like Pam Tillis, Kelly Clarkson, ZZ Top, and Big Brother and the Holding Company, to working as a Janis Joplin impersonator on a cruise ship, Shellie Daniels has never done life halfway. She studied recording arts in Orlando, spent time in Nashville producing and recording records in the recording studio, and chased music, laughter and adventure across multiple states. She then went back to school, became a nurse, and built a second calling serving others as an LPN in rural Colorado, bringing heart, humor and grit to the community she loves. She’s as devoted to her rescue dog, Shadey, as she is to adventure, and she’s happiest out on a walk with him, soaking up the mountain-town life.
Together, these singers bring a diverse range of musical influences, performance experience and community spirit to this exciting competition.
Tickets for Hometown Voices and Nashville Stories go on sale on June 15. Visit https://growingseeds.org/hvns for more information.
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