Winner of the Diamond in the Rock youth talent contest is well-known rock singer-songwriter Tommy Alto.
Second place went to singer Olivia Torrie, and third place to classical violinist Julie Lin in the contest finals, held Saturday evening at Blue Frog Studios.
An Earl Marriott student, Alto, 17, is noted for his powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence. A former Ocean Park Idol winner, he also took top spot in last year’s Surrey Youth Recognition Awards.
Torrie, 15, an Elgin Park student, has been singing in public since elementary school, but credits her renewed interest in performing and competing to the influence of pop sensation, Adele.
Lin, 13, a Grade 7 student at White Rock Elementary, is the youngest member of the Surrey Youth Orchestra, playing at a Royal Conservatory Grade 10 level. She was the B.C. silver medallist in Royal Conservatory standings in 2010, and the same year received three gold medals and a scholarship at the Kiwanis Festival.
Alto won a bursary of some $1,000 from the Kiwanis and the Roadhouse Grille, as well as recording time from Blue Frog and Turtle Studios, plus coaching and promotional packages.
