Features Editor

Many people dream of winning the lottery and taking home a pot of gold.

Others dream of being discovered by a talent agent and then cutting a record that goes gold.

The Troy School of Dance doesn’t have a pot of gold to give away but the studio is offering a golden opportunity for some lucky person to "Become a Star."

Nicole Copeland, team captain for the Troy School of Dance Relay for Life team, said

anyone who dreams of walking into a recording studio and making a tape that could be their ticket to fame and fortune will want to enter the "Become a Star" Relaystakes.

"We wanted to have a Relay for Life fundraiser that is different," Copeland said. "Someone said our idea is ‘neat.’ I say it’s unique."

The dance team’s idea was to hold a drawing for a two-hour recording session at a professional recording studio.

First, they had to find a professional recording studio where they could make that happen. They had to look no farther than Goshen.

Brandon Barnes, professional songwriter and Grammy nominee, offered the use of his private recording studio as a "Relaystakes" prize.

Entering the "Become a Star" Relaystakes could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of being discovered," Copeland said. "Entries are $10 each and you may enter as many times as you would like. The more times you enter, the better your chance at having your name drawn."

The recording session is for vocals only and for any style of music – gospel, country or pop, Copeland said.

However, only those 13

years old or older may enter.

Deadline for entries is May 14 and the drawing for the two-hour recording session will be held May 17 at the Relay for Life main event.

"Anyone with vocal talent and dreams of making a tape will want to enter," Copeland said. "A one-hour recording session at a professional studio could cost anywhere from $100 to $350 an hour. That makes our ‘Become a Star’ prize worth between $200 and $750. That’s a great prize."

Entries may be hand delivered to the Troy School of Dance at 102 North Three Notch Street or mailed to that address.

All entries should include name, address and telephone number.