Congratulations to Cory Marin of Tequesta -- the first-ever Palm Beach PopStar

Cory performed with Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops at their opening concert series “Contemporary Composers” on November 8 and 9 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach and on November 10, 12 and 13 at the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Center for the Arts at FAU in Boca, along with a cash prize of $500. The “Contemporary Composers” concerts feature popular works written by musical legends John Lennon, Paul McCartney, John Williams, Billy Joel, and Michel LeGrande. This concert will also feature a special tribute to Barry Manilow with songs like Mandy, Can’t Smile Without You, Copacabana and I Write The Songs performed by nationally acclaimed Broadway singer and Phantom of the Opera star, Gary Mauer.

Cory Marin, a 43 year old financial advisor, entered the PopStar competition at the urging of some friends. Knowing that his first love is music, Cory’s friends suggested that this would be the perfect way for him to demonstrate his vocal talents. Originally from Connecticut, his “singing career” began at the age of 6 upon entering a local talent show. Cory’s musical inspirations include Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Jim Morrison and Tony Bennett.

Cory impressed the judges with his rendition of Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel and New York, New York by Leonard Bernstein, made famous by Frank Sinatra. Live auditions were held on Friday, October 19 where 14 finalists auditioned before a panel of judges, including Maestro Bob Lappin, Palm Beach Pops vice president Jill Kaplan and director of marketing Christine Stickney, performer Marilyn Maingart, and singer Jill Switzer.

Dreams do come true… when Cory received the call proclaiming him as the Palm Beach PopStar winner, the first thing that went through his mind was, “I can’t believe I’m going to get to sing with the Palm Beach Pops on stage at the Kravis and FAU!” Cory thought he might have a good chance, but knew he was up against some steep competition.

Maestro Bob Lappin explains that, “Palm Beach PopStar is about discovering a truly talented singer and giving them the chance of a lifetime -- to perform with the Palm Beach Pops orchestra before thousands of people. To win a contest like this, competitors needed strong musical talents as well as charisma in order to 'wow' audiences here in south Florida."