On Wednesday, March 12, Grand Valley State University’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosted its annual GV’s Got Talent competition. The event was held in the Kirkhof Center’s Grand River Room, and provided students with a platform to showcase their abilities. This year’s competition featured over 20 auditioners who battled it out to be awarded the opportunity of opening the University’s Spring Concert on April 5.
The competition included musical acts, comedic interludes from the event’s emcees, dance ensembles and magic tricks, with the audience responding in uproars of cheers, applause and participation throughout the night. The GV’s Got Talent winner traditionally opens the Spring Concert, which has featured artists such as T-Pain in 2023 and Lauren Alaina in 2024. This year, the announcement of the concert’s headliner has been delayed. CAB has stated the performer will be announced soon.
GV’s Got Talent has been a part of the University’s student life experience for several years. Ignite Dance Company, a past winner, contributed to the event by performing a hip-hop choreography showcase. CAB promoted GV’s Got Talent through posters, social media, tabling and word-of-mouth. Dana Krol, CAB’s graduate assistant for programming, said the goal was to encourage as many students as possible to audition.
“We tried to reach as much of (the) campus as we could so students would know this is something they could participate in,” Krol said. “Grand Valley has some talented students.”
Student Mattisyn Hunkele opened the show, performing a cover of “My Tears Ricochet” by Taylor Swift. Tiffany Woodka sang a selection from “A Star Is Born,” and songwriter Lucas Fridsma showcased his musical abilities with an original composition played on a seven-string electric guitar. Rapper Lezzu brought original hip-hop to the stage with his song “Partycentral,” which energized the crowd.
Other acts included Saniya Traylor singing “From The Start” by Laufey, magician Mitchell Roelofs, who invited audience volunteers and the judges to participate onstage for interactive card tricks, and rapper Evan Bolla, who performed Eminem’s “Godzilla.” Bolla drew a loud uproar of cheers during the song’s fast-paced lyrics.
The competition also included amusing moments. Anthony Erlandson opened their set with a microphone test that quickly turned into an electronic, beat-driven performance of their original song “Bored,” which prompted high spirits from the audience.
“I wish I could have Auto-Tune ingrained in my vocal cords,” Erlandson said. “This event is such a cool opportunity to share music and have fun with everyone.”
Performers were evaluated on stage presence, creativity and preparedness. Scholarship prizes were awarded to the top three acts, while the People’s Choice Award was determined by an audience vote. First place was given to Woodka, who also won the opportunity to open the upcoming Spring Concert. Fridsma was recognized in second place for his original electric guitar composition. Third place was a tie, but was awarded to Flavia Marcello with “Proud Mary,” and Lauren Roth and Brady Warner, whose harmonica and keyboard duet of “Piano Man” had the audience swaying along with their phone flashlights. Lezzu was selected by popular vote for the People’s Choice Award.
As the final round of applause faded and the last notes of music echoed throughout the Grand River Room, CAB members began packing up for the night, taking down the gold “GV” balloons and banners, and putting them away until next year. Though the stage lights dimmed and the decorations came down, GV’s Got Talent remains a cherished tradition at GVSU, giving students a platform to share their talents, especially as the campus community now shifts its anticipation toward the upcoming Spring Concert.
