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6th Annual Benefit Concert

Performers

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9-08-2022-00-13-13.heic

Shelby Lentz (Smithers)

While she may be petite in stature, Shelby Lentz has a voice that will fill any venue. At just fifteen she opened at The State Theater in Kalamazoo for Warner Music artist, Frankie Ballard. It was also about this time that she began collaborating with local song writers on original music as well. She went on to also open for former American Idol finalist, Matt Giraud, as well as international recording artist, Joanne Shaw Taylor, and country act, Montgomery Gentry. Shelby spent two years pursuing music in Nashville, Tennessee where she attended Belmont University and worked at the Grand Ole Opry. She recorded two studio EPs while in Nashville and performed on Broadway at the famous Tootsies. Her second EP, entitled “Unbroken” features a song called “Champion” Lentz co-wrote with her friend, Jessica Kellie Adams, inspired by Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa films. After the diagnosis of Huntington’s Disease in her family, and being recently diagnosed herself, she began her own nonprofit, “Champions for HD” to help aid research as well as other local families struggling with this disease. This was named in honor of her song “Champion” that is now recognized as an HD power anthem and part of her musical proceeds go back to Champions for HD to further the fight against Huntington’s. Shelby recently release her fist official album "Teenage Diary," all songs she wrote between the ages of 13-19, which is streaming everywhere now. There is no doubt that this little girl packs a powerful punch as an experienced entertainer. 

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Sarah Dudinetz

After graduating with a degree in Advertising & Public Relations from Grand Valley State University, Sarah started working at A.K. Rikk's as a Social Media and Communications Specialist. She has been a competitor in the Miss America Organization for a decade (which is how she got to know Shelby), and was first-runner up at Miss Michigan in 2019. While she has no personal connection to Huntington's Disease, as she's watched Shelby passionately share her story, she decided to use her skills and talents to help Shelby through marketing.

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Delaney Lentz

Delaney is a recent gradate from the University of Alabama, with a degree in Marketing. Currently, she is pursuing a master's degree in data analytics at Loyola University. She is Shelby's sister, and is at-risk for inheriting Huntington's Disease. She has seen first hand the trauma of HD as four of her family members currently have the disease. Delaney also has a passion for the arts and has been singing and performing for years with her sister, in musicals, and at local Miss America pageants. At Alabama, she was in HallyUA, a dance and social club centered around Kpop at the University of Alabama.

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Bernice Rodgers

Bernice Rodgers currently resides in Niles, MI with her husband of 18 years and her two children both 9 and 17. They say she came out the womb singing! She has a great passion for singing and acting and has been in local plays, musicals, and such things over her 40 years of living. She has a deep passion to serve and help others which is why she chose to go into the medical field. These days she spends her time serving at her local church by singing on the praise team and helping in the outreach ministry, “for God is yet in the saving business!" Back at home she is the primary caretaker to my aunt who has HD. They have our good and bad days, and many challenges, but with God all things are possible and He gives her the strength to take care of her each and every day. She truly believes this is what she was called to do, to God be the glory!! With much prayer and getting more awareness and studies on this illness she believes they can find better treatments and make life better for those who suffer from HD.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

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