Local Talent Profile

Local Talent: Heading to the finish

Hatmaker Chris Treick keeps Derby fans in style. Chris Treick has never been to the Kentucky Derby, but she turns heads there every year. Chris is a milliner, a designer of women’s hats. It’s a bit of a lost art,…

Local Talent: Bring it home with Justin Heet

Justin Heet is a musical tradition in Central Florida. Justin Heet performs at Leesburg Bikefest from 3:30-8pm Friday, April 26, at Towne Square Stage. As the band begins to play, the heavy bass of “Low Rider” is instantly recognizable. Drums…

Local Talent: She knows she can dance

Young performers are blossoming at instructor’s Groveland studio. By age 11, Jordan “JoJo” Hilgenberg already was involved in her future profession as she taught dance moves to tiny tots. Today, at 23, she instructs students ages 3-18 at JoJo’s Performing…

Local Talent: A shared vision

The Leggett brothers’ focus has always been on Leesburg. When Marty and Myron Leggett reminisce about growing up in Leesburg, the conversation bounces from their Cherry Street home (now a retention pond) to the best tackler in a game of…

Clicking with photography

Sierra Ford Jones stays focused at her Mount Dora business. Love of photography: It gives me the opportunity to turn “ordinary” life and connection into art. Favorite type of photography: It’s hard to choose one type. One of the best…

Local Talent: You’ve got star quality

Just like Lana Turner, Leesburg actress gets a big break. Kat Kemmet. Remember the name. She’s local, she’s serious, and she’s on her way. Aspiring actor Kat Kemmet, 28, stands just 5-foot-1 inch and looks the part of a…

The write stuff

New laureate promotes poetry in Lake County. For award-winning poet Laura Sobbott Ross, it’s easy to find inspiration for one of her favorite subjects: Lake County’s natural beauty. She simply steps outside her home at Sullivan Ranch in Mount Dora…

Local Talent: Her reality is abstract

Artist Liz Wincup continually broadens her landscapes. The bohemian adventure of Europe-by-hostel opens the eyes of travelers to a whole new world. Liz Wincup’s journey was no exception. She was a history major at Louisiana State University when a Fulbright…

A song in his soul

David Oliver Willis is a busy singer/songwriter who’s working to get back in the studio to do some recording. David Oliver Willis is a local musician whose name became prominent after three seasons on “American Idol.” He is busy…

Music that soothes the spirit

The haunting tones of the Native American flute can bring peace, comfort, and joy. Deb Almy is a musician who has been playing the Native American flute since 2011. She became familiar with the instrument while working at Justamere…