Justin Steele has been representing Chatham Kent as a bagpiper this past summer in 9 Highland Games  throughout Ontario and Quebec. He received 15 medals: 10 Gold; 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals. He has recently been awarded by the Pipe Band Society of Ontario:  2 Ontario Championships for having the highest points in competition. His love for the pipes started after he visited Scotland while tracing back his  ancestry. He joined the Chatham Legion Pipe and Drums Band last year. His favourite memory: playing with the band on the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France and touring Holland and the Battlefields of Europe. He attends grade 8 at Indian Creek Public School.

 

 
My name is Hope Bechard, I’m 17 and I reside in Port Lambton. I’ve been playing guitar for 10 years now; I started playing guitar when I was 7 years old. I started out by taking lessons from Bryan Joyce at VanGoozen Music in Sarnia; I stopped taking lessons at the age of 14 and now teach myself. I began taking singing lessons at the age of 15, but did not have room in my schedule to continue taking lessons, so instead decided to teach myself.

I enjoy performing at local gatherings including the Port Lambton Car Show, Gala Days and Sombra Days. I mostly play music from the country genre, but I have a passion for all different types of music. I now give guitar lessons in my spare time. I’m very excited and honoured to be a participant in the “You’ve Got Talent” contest.

 

 
Since I was very young, singing has been a big part of my life. After many years of lessons it has become my passion. I started with piano lessons when I was five years old. Then, when I was about seven, I began taking singing lessons. I always looked forward to participating in the Kiwanis Music Festival especially in the Vocal Broadway and Duet categories. I also sang with the Youth Voices of Kent choir. This experience is something I will never forget.
 
I have gone to many local talent competitions such as The Mitchell’s Bay Singing Contests, the Western Fair Youth Talent Searches and the Bright Shining Star Contest. I have placed at the top in these competitions. My first place win in the CK Idol competition gave me a recording session at Trace Recordings where I made my first CD. This is another experience in music that I will never forget.
 
Music has added so much to my life. I have so many wonderful experiences. I am looking forward to this experience with the United Way.