Cory Conkel has only been playing banjo for seven months, but he will be one of only 20 finalists competing at the Arnold’s Quest for Talent show.
In late January, about 100 hopefuls auditioned at Westerville North High School.
Conkel, a Westerville Central High School freshman, says being selected out of such a large group was rather shocking.
“I was pretty excited,” he says. “There were 94 people who auditioned, so I was honored they picked me out of all that.”
Conkel, who takes takes banjo lessons, says that leading up to the competition he’ll be clocking in some extra hours of practice.
A love for bluegrass and country music is what piqued his interest in the instrument, Conkel says, adding he already has experience with the guitar and violin.
“I’ve always liked the sound of (the music),” he says.
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Olivia Bushong, a junior at Central, will be competing alongside Conkel as a dancer.
The Arnold’s Quest for Talent show will be held March 7 at the Arnold Kids Fitness EXPO, a new addition to the Arnold Sports Festival. The Kids Fitness EXPO will be held March 7 and 8 in the Ohio Expo Center’s Bricker Building.
For more information, visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com/kids-expo.
Hannah Bealer is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
