‘Nashville Spotlight’ will shine on singers

Adia Dant

Breanna Jaffe

Grace Hovanec

Taylor Eagan

By Nathan Pace
Online editor

Four young ladies from the Southside will display their musical abilities in “Music City U.S.A.” during summer vacation. 

Adia Dant, Breanna Jaffe, Grace Hovanec and Taylor Eagan will be featured performers in the CMA Showcase for the TV show “Nashville Spotlight” in Nashville, Tenn. The showcase features young artists from all over the USA and Canada and will be held before CMA Festival June 7 and 8. 

• Adia Dant just completed the sixth grade at St. Jude. In 2014 she performed in a nationwide tour for Troika Entertainment’s production of “Annie.” She will sing eight songs at the CMA Showcase. 

“It's a like a precursor to the actual CMA show,” said Adia about the showcase. “And it’s a really good opportunity for me to get my music more out there. I have a lot of experience performing because of being in ‘Annie.’ ”

Adia said she is excited to see how her performance can continue to build her career. “I would like to see my original song get out there a little bit more. I love where it is going right now; it has been great.”

While Adia is excited about singing, her favorite is performing in plays. “I feel like my main stage right now in this part of my life is Broadway. Because being in that tour gave me experience to go a little further. Being on stage is so much fun. It's like a second home to me.”

• Breanna Jaffe recently finished her freshmen year at Roncalli, where she sings in the advance women's choir and takes part in theater.

“I will be singing and performing at least three sets,” Breanna said. “I sing mainly country music, and then I have a few originals.”

She won a youth contest at the State Fair in August and says the win prepared her for a bigger stage like the CMA Showcase. “Competition is good for everyone. It does boost my confidence for sure.” 

In addition to singing, Breanna loves to play guitar and hopes to make it a career. “I am hoping to be as successful as I can with the happiest life possible. I hope to continue music or the entertainment business my whole career whether that is teaching and giving lessons or playing night gigs.”

• Grace Hovanec will have quite a story to tell her sixth-grade classmates at St. Jude School when she returns from Nashville. 

She said she is excited to see how the experience will help her grow. “I think it will help with confidence in front of people. I will get to emcee for one day.” 

Grace and two of her friends formed a group called Triple Threat and started out in music through playing the piano. 

“We have fun times together," she said of her group. "I will be there for three days; I can't wait to see everybody.” 

When not singing or acting, Grace can be found playing basketball, volleyball or softball. She won her school’s Christian Attitude Award.
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• Taylor Eagan will be an eighth-grader at St. Roch Catholic school in the fall, but she will learn plenty this summer being an emcee at the CMA Showcase.

“I will be singing four songs and also announcing people as they come on stage, helping them get off stage, making sure they are ready to get on stage,” Taylor said.

It shouldn’t be out of her comfort zone as she has performed at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health and at Greenwood Park Mall. She has also sung the national anthem at Indy Fuel hockey games. 

Taylor, who has performed in numerous plays, describes her music as upbeat and says Paula Abdul inspired her.

​“I love to do plays and theater. I love acting as well. My dream is to be on Broadway.”