Latest National News Updates
KWC 2018 WORLD CHAMPIONS ANNOUNCED!
Helsinki Finland December 21st 2018
For the third year in a row the United States has made history earning medals in every division for the Karaoke World Championships 2018 World Finals. Going up against over 20 countries in front of 8 international judges Team USA brought it all to the world stage this year. With the change to just one world winner the competition was harder than ever before and our US National Male Champion Mikko Blaze Bordeaux showed he was up to the task bringing home the Gold Medal in the solo division for the 2nd year in a row.
Our outgoing 2017 World Female Champion Chyee Howell, came back to compete in the first ever Battle of Champions division earning the bronze against some of the best KWC alumni champions spanning the previous years.
Our US National Duet team Mel Arizpe & Laura Carrizales showed the world that the US has serious talent and impressed the judges enough to earn a Bronze medal in duets making this the 3rd year in a row that the US has earned a medal in this division of the competition.
Team USA 2018
Laura Carrizales, Mikko Blaze Bordeaux, Mel Arizpe
Joshua Baron, Shelby Easley, Chyee Howell
US NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ANNOUNCED!
Las Vegas NV August 22nd 2018
In three days filled with 93 of the nations best solo signers and 11 talented duos, our national US champions have been selected. With phenomenal talent coming from 15 states around the country our judges had their work cut out for them in order to find the best male, female, and duet team to represent the United States at the KWC World Finals in Helsinki Finland this year.
Congratulations to our top singers in the nation:
Male: Female:
1st) Mikko Bonilla-Sunsin 1st) Shelby Easley
2nd) Michael White 2nd) Beth Brennan 3rd) Robert Owens 3rd) Chassidy Robinson 4th) Christopher Craig 4th) Coreen Beckman 5th) Parnell Lester 5th) Zandra La Traille
Top 5 Duet Teams in the nation:
1st) Mel Arizpe & Laura Carrizale
2nd) Coreen Beckman & Scott Polovitch-Davis
3rd) Jessica Ford & grant Cullum
4th) Christian & Jennifer Neave
5th) Patricia Cato-Young & Robert Olivas
US NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ANNOUNCED!
Las Vegas NV August 22nd 2018
In three days filled with 93 of the nations best solo signers and 11 talented duos, our national US champions have been selected. With phenomenal talent coming from 15 states around the country our judges had their work cut out for them in order to find the best male, female, and duet team to represent the United States at the KWC World Finals in Helsinki Finland this year.
Congratulations to our top singers in the nation:
Male: Female:
1st) Mikko Bonilla-Sunsin 1st) Shelby Easley
2nd) Michael White 2nd) Beth Brennan 3rd) Robert Owens 3rd) Chassidy Robinson 4th) Christopher Craig 4th) Coreen Beckman 5th) Parnell Lester 5th) Zandra La Traille
Top 5 Duet Teams in the nation:
1st) Mel Arizpe & Laura Carrizale
2nd) Coreen Beckman & Scott Polovitch-Davis
3rd) Jessica Ford & grant Cullum
4th) Christian & Jennifer Neave
5th) Patricia Cato-Young & Robert Olivas
KWCUSA FINALS FRENZY ROUND THREE VIDEO SUBMISSION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
USA 2018
With more states and talent in the KWCUSA for the 2018 contest season the competition holding their state finals the last chance for many singers was the Round 3 Video Self Submissions final rounds. placing 8 more contestants into the US Finals at the Grandview Lounge in the South Point Hotel and Casino Las Vegas! Video submission contensants must enter 2 video links of themselves singing for judges review and place above the minimum points required to move on.
Congratulations to our final selected members via video for the KWCUSA National Finalists list:
*listed in alphabetical order by first name not by placement
MALES
Chris Hoffman- WA
Robert Olivas- TX
Scott Polovitch-Davis- WA
Thomas Beck- TX
FEMALES
Giana Bova- OH
Hillary King- WA
Kaleena Narwani- IL
Amber Feind- MN
We look forward to seeing what these talented singers bring to the Grandveiw Lounge stage in Las Vegas!
KWCUSA TEXAS STATE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Plano TX July 29th 2018
With talent so big it took two days to work their way through, the newest members of Team TX have been decided!
Congratulations to the newest round of US National Finalists making their way to sing in Las Vegas August 20-22 2018 at the Granview Lounge in the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa! After months of searching the state the best voices were all brought together in a 2 day event with a Semi-Finals at Fat Daddy's Fort Worth on July 28th, and the state finals event held at Vinyl on July 29th deciding the top 8 singers to move on to represent the Lone Star State this year. Presenting Your Team TX for 2018!
Male:
1) David Harrison
2) Duncan Wallace
3) Mitch Trew
Wild Card) Marcos Hernandez
Female:
1) Mel Arizpe
2) Madison Mulnix
3) Mykah Johnson
Wild Card) Chelsea Coleson
KWCUSA NEVADA STATE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Las Vegas NV July 29th 2018
Coming back into 2018 with more venues and more talent than ever before the KWCUSA Host state of Nevada has officially picked their winners. After many rounds of qualifiers over many weeks the top singers from around the area were brought together in a 2 day finals event to decide who are the best singers to represent the state at the KWCUSA National Finals at the Grandview Lounge in the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Aug 20th-22nd 2018!
Of the top 20 pictured the judges had the difficult task of narrowing it down to just the top 10 singer to move on to nationals.
Congratulations to the top 10 singers representing Nevada this year!
Top 10 Finalists:
1) Chris Hillin
2) Mary Tanner
3) Amelia Rose
4) James Buehler
5) Darryl Harris
6) Yvonne Magee
7) Dave Alonzo
8) Paul Guyette
9) Gloria Guyette
10) Dana Anderson
KWCUSA FLORIDA STATE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Sanford FL July 29th 2018
As the exclusive venue for the KWCUSA in this year Florida Rhonda's A Neighborhood Bar & Grill took on the difficult task of finding the members of the 2018 talented Team FL. After many qualifying rounds searching for the very best singers they could gather, the newest members have been selected! Congratulation to Roy Smith and Natalia Padro who will be joining Michael White and Lois Schofield coming to nationals from the video submission rounds at Team FL! These singers will meet up to compete with singers from all over the US and try and bring back the championship title to there home state. Congratulations to the newest members of Team FL 2018.
Male:
1) Roy Smith
2) Fred Nate
3) Roger Dukes
Female:
1) Natalia Padro
2) Melody Smith
3) Natasha Edwards
KWCUSA CALIFORNIA STATE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Temecula CA July 23rd 2018
In a one day pop up event at Lienzo Charro in Temecula CA,Team CA has been chosen!
Joining Chris Skinner and Alina Zayas coming to nationals from the video submission rounds, these talented singers will be headed to compete with singers from all over the US. Congratulations to the newest members of Team CA 2018 and welcome back to those of you returning to the competition this year.
Male:
1) Christopher Craig
2) Emanual Robinson
3) David Clements
Female:
1) Renee Turcotte
2) Cheri Gilbert
3) Leayly Chinchilla
Judges Choice:
1) Kurt Beckman
2) Ismael Galarza
KWCUSA MINNESOTA STATE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Minneapolis MN July 15th 2018
Team Minnesota has been selected for 2018!
Joining our KWC world silver medal duet singers Mikko Blaze Bordeax and Beth Brennan as they each try for a solo win, and video submission round 1 winner AJ Schara, these talented singers will be headed to try on the national stage a month from now.
Male:
1) Roland Hawkins
2) Seth Gabriel-Mayotte
3) Jake de Silveria
Female:
1) La Traille Z
2) Allison Chapeau
3) Keyani Kae
KWCUSA ARKANSA STATE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Hot Springs AR July 14th & 15th 2018
Hot Springs was the place to be over July 14th and 15th for the 2 day Arkansas State Finals Event at The Blitzed Pig. Arkansas has always had a strong team to compete in the US National Finals and this year is no different as they join Parnell Lester who is returning to compete again in 2018 after placing as a 2017 top 5 National Finalist. Congratulations! We are excited to see what all of the members on Team Arkansas bring to the national stage this year!
1st Place Female: Chassidy C. Robinson
2nd Place Female: Jennifer Neave
3rd Place Female: Fawn Fairchild
4th Place Female: Raquell Bourgeois (Kella)
1st Place Male: Grant Cullum
2nd Place Male: Moises Blond
3rd Place Male: Christian Neave
4th Place Male: Cord Vaughn
KWCUSA OHIO STATE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Columbus OH July 12th 2018
Announcing the new 2018 Team Ohio! These singers had to battle it out against the best talent in the stateJuly 12th at Tequila Cowboys to earn their place in the US National Finals August 20-22nd at the Grandview Lounge in the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa!
Male: 1) Adam Laus 2) Bob Owen 3) Aaron Young 4) Edwin Brunson WC) Rick Kreiger
Female 1) Lindsey Warner 2) Stephanie Furguson 3) Bridget Gunter 4) Alina Smith WC) Sydni Elise
KWCUSA VIRGINIA STATE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Virginia Beach VA July 11th 2018
This year Virginia State Karaoke World Championships came back to Wanna B's Karaoke Club in Virginia Beach. Holding qualifying rounds and the a venue final contestants battled it out to earn one of the top 3 spots in both male and female divisions. After making the semi-finals in 2017 these talented singers will be making up Team VA and competing in the National Finals trying to bring back the gold to VA!
1st Place Female: Samantha Pyne
2nd Place Female: Tori Matthews
3rd Place Female: Michelle Thompson
1st Place Male: CK Keice
2nd Place Male: Brandon BLT Terry
3rd Place Male: Steven Oravec
KWCUSA WASHINGTON STATE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Seattle WA June 30th & July 1st 2018
Washington State has a big act to follow after the Team WA champions for 2017 swept the US Nationals; and took the bronze in the world in Male- (Andy Navarrete), and Gold in Female- (Chyee Howell) divisions. This year the Washington State Karaoke World Championships Finals were held at Eden Seattle in a two day event with talent beyond compare. Just as in other states these contestants had placed over many weeks of competition to first win their venue qualifier and finals to be able to move on to the the US Nationals event. The top male and female singers earned a trip to Las Vegas to move on to meet talented competitors from around the nation to try and earn their spot on TEAM USA!
Congratulations top male and female: Ramsey Hopkins & Coreen Beckman
2nd place male and female: Brandi Huang & Terrance Williams
KWCUSA MAIN SEASON ROUND VIDEO SUBMISSION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
USA 2018
With more states and talent in the KWCUSA for the 2018 contest season the competition is going strong with the Main Season Round 2 Video Self Submissions placing 5 more contesants into the US Finals at the Grandview Lounge in the South Point Hotel and Casino Las Vegas! Video submission contensants must enter 2 video links of themselves singing for judges review and place above the minimum points required to move on.
Congratulations to our newest members of the KWCUSA National Finalists list:
*listed in alphabetical order by first name not by placement
MALES
Luis Eduardo Sanchez-Orozco- WA
Chris Skinner- CA
FEMALES
Alina Zayas- CA
Julie Dee- TN
Lois Schofield- FL
The next round of the video submission rounds is open from May 1st to June 30th 2018 for your chance to join these talented singers on thh Grandveiw Lounge stage in Las Vegas!
SALEM IDOL WINNER PLACES INTO THE KWCUSA NATIONAL FINALS
Salem OR- June 24th 2018
The next batch of KWCUSA National Finalist comes to us from the State of Oregon via the long standing Salem Idol contest. Congratulations Kris Morel for taking 1st place and moving on to represent Oregon, as well as Lisa Johnson (2nd), Tasha Clark (3rd), Johnny Rincon (4th), Ashlynn Hamby (5th), and Amy Schultz (6th) joining her on TEAM OR competing at the US National Finals in the Grandview Lounge in the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa August 20-22nd 2018!
PRELIMINARY KWC 2018 WORLD ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN THE COMPETITION!
Helsinki Finland May 12th 2018
The Karaoke World Championships Organization announces new updated rules and guidelines for the 2018 competition season. The newly implemented guidelines are as follows:
1.) Changes in scoring: Scores will be released after each round. That way every singer will know their ranking after rounds 1, 2 and 3 and will be able to react to improve on their next performance. There will also be a change to the multiplying effect on round 2 & 3 scores putting more weight on Round 2 and Round 3.
The final round (Top 10) will be without points from previous rounds. Points from the public vote will also be added on to Round 2 scores.
2.) Amateur status: Every singer is eligible to participate if they are not making a living with singing or have a record deal at this very moment. Singers with record releases from years ago (also including recent indie releases on Spotify etc.) are welcome.
3.) Champions Round: There is a brand new category in the KWC competition- KWC Champions is a special competition for all of our past country champions. Anyone who has ever represented their country in KWC finals is eligible, past winners are included. In 2018 every partner country is allowed to send one singer to KWC Champions, and there will be 3 Champions rounds in KWC 2018.
4.) A single World Champion!: Starting this year, only one World Champion will be crowned meaning there will no longer be a separate champion for males and females!
Our goal is to discover and promote the best amateur singer in the world regardless of gender.
Every partner country is still allowed to send two singers, but they can be of any gender and they will all compete against each other for the championship.
There will be three categories in the KWC 2018 World Finals: KWC Solo, KWC Duets and KWC Champions.
HAWAIIAN IDOL WINNER PLACES INTO THE KWCUSA NATIONAL FINALS
Kailua Kona- Hawaii May 13th 2018
The newest KWCUSA National Finalist comes to us from the beautiful Island State of Hawaii via the Hawaiian Idol contest. Congratulations Royce DeSilva for taking 1st place and moving on to represent Hawaii in competing at the US National Finals in the Grandview Lounge in the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa August 20-22nd 2018!
KWCUSA EARLY BIRD ROUND VIDEO SUBMISSION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
USA 2018
With more states and talent in the KWCUSA for the 2018 contest season the competition is stgarting off strong with the first round of Early Bird Video Self Submissions placing 6 more contesants into the US FInals at the Grandview Lounge in the South Point Hotel and Casino Las Vegas! Video submission contensants must enter 2 video links of themselves singing for judges review and place above the minimum points required to move on.
Congratulations to our newest members of the KWCUSA National Finalists list:
*listed in alphabetical order by first name not by placement
MALES
AJ Schara- MN
Mike White- FL
Ryan Blackwell- WA
FEMALES
Coreen Beckman- WA
Holly Wood- PA
Kim Lange- NV
The next round of the video submission rounds is open from May 1st to June 30th 2018 for your chance to join these talented singers on thh Grandveiw Lounge stage in Las Vegas!
KWCUSA LAUNCHES NEW SOCIAL FORUM
USA 2018
In an effort to always keep our KWCUSA Family connected we have launched a new social media forum where you can now connect with singers all over the US!
OREGON JOINS KWCUSA VIA SALEM IDOL
Salem OR April 16th 2018
Oregon State comes back for the 2018 contest season through the Salem Idol competition held through Karaoke Fun Clubs. The winning contestants from the Salem Idol will be placed into the KWCUSA National Finals to compete in the 2018 contest at the Grandview Lounge in the South Point Hotel & Casino Las Vegas NV.
KEEP ON SINGING! KWCUSA-SEASON 2 WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Seattle WA March 29th 2018
What an insane amount of talent graced the stage for the grand finale at the Columbia City Theater last night for season 2 of Keep on Singing! Starting out with 50+ contestants with only 25 of them making it onto a team and into the main portion of the competition. These daring individuals took on a challenge like no other learning a new song including lyrics in just a few short days. Every single one of this seasons participants delivered some memorable moments along the way. The singers and coaches put in their all and this was quite evident in the difference as they took the stage on week 8 vs. week 1.
Congratulations to our winners! The competitors were fierce but these 10 stuck it out through 8 grueling weeks and earned your place in the next level of the KWCUSA competitions
1st Place Male: Edward E-rich Ri'chard 1st Place Female: Nikki Suyama
2nd Place Male: Ramsey Hopkins 2nd Place Female: Coreen Kindred Beckman
3rd Place Male: Charles Anthony Brown 3rd Place Female: Leah Evans
4th Place Male: Chuck Garris 4th Place Female: Veronica Y. Mun
5th Place Male: Ryan Hazy 5th Place Female: Corinne Stone
We also have to thank our incredible and dynamic coaching panel this year:
Joshua Baron, Konomi Rivers, Bill Clark, Andy G. Navarrete,
Josephine Howell & Chyeé Howell
A huge thank you must also go out to our amazingly compassionate hostess this season 2018 National Finalist Shelby Easley.
That is a wrap for this season! Look for news and information on the upcoming KWCUSA open qualifiers around Washington State and the rest of the USA! on the national page or on our website kwcusa.com.
KWCUSA NATIONAL DIRECTOR PARTNERS WITH THE VOCAL STUDIO
Seattle WA March 22nd 2018
Here is a great opportunity to grow as a performer while preparing for KWCUSA Qualifiers, Nationals and Worlds. Robert Lunte and Draven Grey have built years worth of Singing and Performance Training programs for the Vocal Athlete and they are teaching a Five Day Vocal Masterclass, with not only great curriculum, hands on learning/coaching and expertise but also RØDE Microphones is the Sponsor and you will receive an amazing RODE wireless microphone system at the class ($500 Value) and Studio Headphones.
The science that Robert Lunte has put in his training is amazing, and it speaks to beginners to experts, so it doesn't matter if you are not a professional. The training program that he developed is used across the world and at some acclaimed music schools!
We at KWCUSA always want you to grow as singers and performers! This is a great way to go about it!
NEW STATE DIRECTOR CHOSEN FOR MINNESOTA
Anoka MN March 6th 2018
After taking the 2017 contest season off Neil Turner returns as the Minnesota State Director for 2018. Neil brings his previous experiences both within the karaoke community and beyond. The US Partners are very happy to be able to bring back Neil who is dedicated to continuing to provide the high level of talent his state has to offer.
KWCUSA VIDEO ROUNDS OPEN
USA February 28th 2018
Round 1 of the KWCUSA Video submission self sponsorships is now open!
Live in an area that doesn't have a karaoke venue?
Don't want to wait for your local KWCUSA qualifier to happen? Well wait no more, you can try out now to compete from your own home through the self sponsorship video submissions! The Early Bird Round is open from March 1st to April 30th, with our first round of National winners announced on May 1st!
[Mai Season Round 2 runs from 5/1-6/30 and the Finals Frenzy Round runs 7/1-7/20]
Get your audition in early and grab your spot at the KWCUSA Nationals event August 20-22nd in the Grandview Lounge at South Point Casino Las Vegas before anyone else!
TEAM ARKANSAS IN THE NEWS
Hot Springs AR February 26th 2018
Karaoke World Championships Usa Arkansas were on their local news today talking about how to participate and audition for the 2018 KWCUSA Season in Arkansas!
State Directors Christopher C. Donahue and Christopher Corey Baldwin have a big vision of the KWCUSA and are dedicated to find the best of the best to represent Arkansas as well as the USA!
KWCUSA NATIONAL DIRECTOR PARTNERS WITH THE VOCAL STUDIO
Seattle WA March 22nd 2018
Here is a great opportunity to grow as a performer while preparing for KWCUSA Qualifiers, Nationals and Worlds. Robert Lunte and Draven Grey have built years worth of Singing and Performance Training programs for the Vocal Athlete and they are teaching a Five Day Vocal Masterclass, with not only great curriculum, hands on learning/coaching and expertise but also RØDE Microphones is the Sponsor and you will receive an amazing RODE wireless microphone system at the class ($500 Value) and Studio Headphones.
The science that Robert Lunte has put in his training is amazing, and it speaks to beginners to experts, so it doesn't matter if you are not a professional. The training program that he developed is used across the world and at some acclaimed music schools!
We at KWCUSA always want you to grow as singers and performers! This is a great way to go about it!
HAWAII ENTERS THE KWCUSA 2018
February 23rd 2018
The Karaoke World Championships USA (KWCUSA) would like to say Aloha to our newest KWC State - Hawaii!
Ohana means family in Hawaii and we are very excited to have Hawaii becoming part of the KWCUSA Family for the 2018 Season!
Mahalo!
US NATIONALS LOCATION ANNOUNCED
Las Vegas NV February 21st 2018
US Partners Josh & Catie Baron are pleased to announce the destination and dates have been decided fro the 2018 KWCUSA National Finals. The US Finals will be held in the Grandview Lounge at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV August 19th-22nd 2018. "We are excited to be able to bring the US Finals back to 'America's every city' Las Vegas Nevada. We feel it is an honor and a privilage to have the chance to host the KWCUSA on the amazing stage in the Grandview Lounge at the South Point Hotel and Casino this year."
US GOLD MEDALIST CHYEE HOWELL PERFORMS ON BEN & PICKLER
Nashville TN February 14th 2018
2017 KWC World Champion Chyeé Howell talks about her road to becoming a WORLD Champion for the KWC - Karaoke World Championships and performs on Pickler & Ben!
She is so amazing and we are so proud of her as well as all KWC TEAM USA as we Medaled in all divisions!
KEEP ON SINGING! SEASON 2 KICKS OFF
Seattle WA February 8th 2018
Keep on Singing! KWCUSA, is a unique way for amateur singers of all experience levels to work on their craft and grow their performance skills. As part of the Karaoke World Championships USA the winners of this 8-week competition move on directly to the US National Finals. Contestants try out at a local venue qualifier (much like the main portion of the KWCUSA contest season) however they need only get 2 out of 4 judges to give them a YES to be invited to team pick night. (Which will be February 8th 2018 at the Columbia City Theater) Over the 8 weeks of the show, contestants get vocal training by their selected coach while learning a song to perform from a selected genre, all within the one week. No screens are provided so contestants must learn these songs by heart. Coaches will also work on stage performance and costuming with their teams in order to put together a full package performance for every singer. Contestants selected for a team this year also have the added benefit of the Derby Salon-Dean Lee Hair Chair, offering hair and styling assistance to any contestant who so chooses free of charge! Our coaches, Joshua Baron, Konomi Rivers, Bill Clark, and Josephine Howell, are each looking forward to the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing undiscovered talent in the area.
WORLD FINALS DATES ANNOUNCED
Helsinki Finland January 26th 2018
World dates have been announced! Get ready for Malaga Spain October 22nd to the 27th.
NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR APPOINTED FOR MID-ATLANTIC STATES
January 22nd 2018
Virginia comes back bringing along some neighbors along the way! We welcome to the KWCUSA this year the state of Virginia along with Neighboring West Virginia, Maryland, Delware and the DIstrict of Columbia
NEW STATE DIRECTOR CHOSEN FOR WASHINGTON STATE
Seattle WA January 19th 2018
The