Student Spotlight: Soulful Talent

Help a lucky Wolvering Play Stadium of Fire this summer

One lucky Wolverine has the opportunity to perform at the Stadium of Fire this summer, but she can’t do it without the help of her fellow students.

Jennifer Blosil, a freshman studying Business Management, has been playing the piano and singing since age 5. She has already beaten out hundreds of entries to make the top 40 finalists in a nationwide talent search.

Initially, Blosil wasn’t even going to enter the competition.

“My dad was the instigator. He called me and said, ‘Jen, you need to do this,’” said Blosil. “He kept pestering me and I said, ‘Dad, this is a nationwide talent search. There are going to be people submitting their videos that have been doing this for years.’”

It finally came down to the last day to submit entries before Blosil’s father finally convinced her to submit an entry. The final video, which he shot, shows Blosil at her keyboard in her living room.

“It’s the most cheaply made video ever,” said Blosil laughing. “It’s so awkward.”

While it starts off with Blosil questioning whether the camera is rolling, her jitters immediately go away when she begins to sing her self-written song, “Room for Two.” Blosil’s voice is rich and soulful, reminiscent of Alicia Keys or Brandi Carlile.

Blosil was on campus when she found out she had made the top 40. It was the last day when winners would receive notification of winning. While studying, she received a call from a number she didn’t recognize. She let it go to voicemail.

“If you wait and see if the voicemail will come in a delayed amount of time. If it’s short, it’s probably just a [friend],” said Blosil. “If it’s a long voicemail, something’s up.”

Blosil’s video can be viewed with the other contestants by going to FreedomFestival.org and clicking on “Stadium of Fire Talent Search.”

In order to win, Blosil needs to receive enough votes to raise her to the top 25 by April 15. These acts will perform for live public auditions. The top three from that group will perform live at the Stadium of Fire on July 2. The final winner will receive $10,000.

To vote for Jennifer and see the other participants, visit http://www.freedomfestival.org/events/stadium-of-fire-talent-search/

Where are you from?

Born in Vienna, Austria but [have] lived in Orem, Utah most of my life.

What are your post-UVU plans?
Music is my passion. If I can find a way to make money doing that, that’d be awesome.

What has been your favorite UVU class?

Philosophy Forum. I love listening to other people and hear other people’s views.

How about your favorite UVU professor?

McKay Stevens. We’ve been friends since before I came to school. He’s one of my heroes.

What motivates you to do the things you do?

I am a firm believer in God and my love of God motivates me.

What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past year?

I don’t watch a lot of movies but I saw Despicable Me and I was laughing harder than anyone in a theater full of 5-year-olds.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I love [listening] to stupid songs [and] I really like Justin Bieber.

Zombies or Vampires?

Harry Potter!

If you could share one piece of advice with your fellow students, what would you tell them?

Talk to people. It makes their day. When you get to know other people, you get to know the goodness inside of them.

To see the other participants and vote for Jennifer, visit http://www.freedomfestival.org/events/stadium-of-fire-talent-search/