PORT ANGELES — Elise Beuke had never played a grand piano before.
But faced with the instrument Saturday night at the first-ever Springfest Talent Show, she took to it, accompanied herself as she sang an original song and won the grand prize.
And so Beuke, 13, will appear on the main stage during the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts, the cavalcade of music, dance and other art that stretches over Memorial Day weekend.
The Sequim teenager was 15th of the 16 acts competing for the slot during the talent show at the Port Angeles High School auditorium.
“I thought I would just go sing and have fun,” she said Monday. “I never thought I was going to win.”
Beuke also went home with a $100 honorarium, a trophy and thoughts about what she’ll play when she steps up on the stage at the Vern Burton Community Center at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, May 29 — day three of the four-day Juan de Fuca Festival.
Her talent show song — as yet untitled — will be among Beuke’s original compositions; she’ll mix in some covers too, such as “You Lost Me” by Christina Aguilera.
Beuke, the daughter of Sequim Middle School teacher Todd Beuke and West Coast Sea Glass owner and artist Mary Beth Beuke, plays a Yamaha keyboard at home.
Two inspirations
She took care to thank two inspirations: “My vocal coach and mentor,” Stephanie Clark, choir teacher at Sequim Middle School and Sequim High School; and Robin Keehn, piano teacher at Aspire Academy in Carlsborg.
Also Saturday night, three other acts won honors: the Port Angeles rock ’n’ roll band the Tull City Trio was named outstanding group, Sequim singer-songwriter Kate Lily was the top solo performer and the Black Diamond Fiddle Club Kids were chosen as the outstanding youth act.
Each received a trophy.
The show made for a “remarkable evening,” said Dan Maguire, executive director of the Juan de Fuca Festival.
The piece Beuke performed “sounded like it could be a new pop standard,” he added. “We are thrilled that she will be gracing our main stage.”
For complete information about the festival, which will present some 40 acts from around the state and nation at the Vern Burton and nearby venues May 27 through 30, visit www.JFFA.org or phone 360-457-5411.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.