The Columbia community will show off its star-appeal at the Columbia’s Got Talent concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Missouri United Methodist Church.

Musicians of all ages, amateur or professional, will hit the stage to show off their musical skills. The 10 contestants were chosen based on a three to five minute Youtube video of varied genres, instrument types and vocal styles. Although the judges chose the contestants based on creativity in the musical talent and stage presence, the audience is encouraged to be interactive and cast their votes to determine the winner.

“I really want to do it in a fun way,” said Alex Innecco, MUMC music director and event coordinator. “I don’t want it to be stiff and like a concert. That’s why I picked all sorts of music: classical music, saxophone, modern pop music and singers accompanied by piano and guitar.”

Accommodating MU students and community members, the Columbia’s Got Talent concert will showcase a family-friendly event. Innecco constructed it this way in hope that there will not only be a diversity of performances but also diversity in the audience.

Before each act, the performers will be introduced in order to relate to the audience on a more personal level and create the interaction Innecco anticipated.

“I’m going to interview the performers so that the audience gets to know them and it’s not simply, I come on stage, I perform and I go,” Innecco said. “It’s really going to be a competition to see who charms the audience the best.”

Contestant Lisa Rose describes her background as a saxophonist. After playing music most of her life, she became a professional musician and now teaches and performs with her group, the Lisa Rose Jazz ensemble.

“My main goal is to play music that captures the audience so that they really listen and it excites them to hear it,” Rose said. “It might cause them to pursue another interest in music or jazz that they wouldn’t have otherwise thought of.”

As Rose focuses on spreading the art and talent of music to Columbia, contestant Ted Willmore will take the stage in an attempt to evoke a laugh or two.

Columbia’s Got Talent will be the largest audience Willmore has ever performed to, and he is curious what the larger audience’s reaction will be to his skit and musical theatre performance.

“I hope they find it funny and offbeat,” Willmore said. “We’ve got so much energy, there’s a lot of talent and unique aspects of Columbia.”

Hoping for a full crowd Saturday, Innecco focuses on the fresh entertainment and pure enjoyment in the event.

“What I want people to know is that it’s going to be fun and lighthearted,” Innecco said. “I think whoever shows up will be really pleased with the level of talent and the quality of the performance.”