Wildcat Student TV

UK Star

Meet your host:

Josh Rupp

Formerly from the growing town of Oldham County, KY, Josh Rupp currently resides in the quaint town of Lexington. As a graduating senior and very active member of the University of Kentucky family, he now continues to stay extremely focused on what lies ahead of him in his professional pursuit. Since attending school deep within the cow stricken hills of the bluegrass, he has taken on the challenge of producing concerts for the university's student body, assisting in the programming development of the school's only student run television station, encouraged student involvement under the executive office of the student body president, and participated in the fastest growing dance marathon in the country. As a past musician and an extremely eclectic fan of the music and entertainment business, he can't explain how much of an honor it is to be working along side the production team, the judges, and the talent at UK to bring together a great show.

Meet our judges:

Brittany Benningfield

Brittany Benningfield, soprano, is one of the newest faces in the Masters program in Vocal Performance at the University of Kentucky. She received her undergrad degree in Music Education at Campbellsville University in 2008, graduating summa cum laude. Singing since the age of 5, Brittany has always felt at home in front of an audience: first at church, then small music shows around Kentucky, and now large and small stages around the eastern portion of the United States. Her background in country and gospel music influenced her to audition for the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts in 2001, where she was accepted and then came back to work with the program from 2004-2008. Her influence then turned classical, and she hasn't turned back from the recital and opera stage since. Recent awards and honors include: Finalist in the Coca-Cola Talent Classic, Finalist for Dayton Opera Young Artist Program, Semi-finalist in the NATS regional auditions, C.U.'s Most Outstanding Senior Musician Award, guest soloist with choruses all over central Kentucky, and the first graduating senior to sing the Alma Mater at her graduation ceremony at C.U. In 2005, she performed as a soloist with the C.U. Chorale in the Berlin Cathedral in Berlin, Germany, as well as in Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany, the home church of J.S. Bach. She sang professionally with the Kentucky Opera in their production of Puccini's Turandot in the Fall of 2007, and has performed lead roles in such famous operas as Carmen, Suor Angelica, Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Marriage of Figaro, and the Broadway musical Brigadoon. When not singing classically, Brittany teaches high school students private voice and sings in church and other music venues! She is honored and excited to be one of the judges for UK Star 2009!

Sally Evans

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
Victor Hugo

Sally’s earliest memories involve singing Copacabana full throttle to her parents’ Barry Manilow record in her living room. Today, you will find her at the Violence, Intervention, and Prevention Center using her voice to end violence with the Green Dot Movement. Her other music-based inspirations include local theatre, including It’s A Grand Night for Singing and the rock opera, The Show, as well as professional voiceover work. Sally also writes and performs her own work in the Lexington music community and is a sucker for karaoke. Sally is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural UK Star!

Rob Theakston

Before he became director of the Cats Den, Rob Theakston served as label manager for several Detroit based record labels, an editor for the All Music Guide (allmusic.com), a consultant to several media outlets, freelance music writer, speech writer for several local politicians and part of the multi media collective Thinkbox, whose work was recently featured in London and Canada. He also has two pugs. His next album "I Am Waiting For You To Stop Being Mad At Me", is due for release in Spring of 2009.

Ben VanderHorst

Ben VanderHorst, is a Senior Elementary Education major. Throughout his time he has been involved in the Student Activities Board, University Leadership Summit, DanceBlue and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. But in his spare time he loves to bust out in song. He can be found performing nightly in the Student Activities Board office. Before coming to the University of Kentucky Ben went to school in Cincinnati, OH and enjoyed being a part of the musical theater program throughout high school. Ben is very excited to be a judge and wishes everyone the best of luck.