Grammy-Nominated Songwriter Kara DioGuardi to Host Virtual Talent Competition

Berklee Herb Alpert Visiting Scholar, Grammy-nominated songwriter, and Arthouse cofounder Kara DioGuardi will host a virtual talent show, Sing It Forward, hosted by Cover Nation. The competition will be presented by DioGuardi’s nonprofit, Inspired Nation, developed to redefine vocal competitions as a conduit for youth talent appreciation and community activism.

To participate, artists are instructed to fill out an entry on Cover Nation's website, post an original or cover song to YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram with the hashtag #SingItForwardChallenge, and explain why the chosen song represents their artistry.

A panel of judges, including DioGuardi; Bonnie Hayes, chair of Berklee's Songwriting Department; Pete Ganbarg, president of A&R for Atlantic Records; and Sing It Forward host and YouTube sensation Kurt Hugo Schneider, will select eight semifinalists to be paired with all-star mentors representing a variety of musical styles across the industry. Mentors include All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat, Charlotte Lawrence, Grandson, Ingrid Andress ’13, Lzzy Hale, Pink Sweat$, Tayla Parx, and Why Don’t We.

The competition will culminate in a livestreamed finale this spring, during which a winner will be crowned. Sing It Forward will also raise awareness and funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Youth Ambassador Academy, which will help youth advocate for their mental health and well-being.

“I would highly encourage current Berklee students and alumni to apply for this valuable opportunity through Cover Nation,” said DioGuardi. “The pandemic has left a lot of artists struggling for the feedback and mentoring they need to get to the next level. Our celebrity artists have been in their shoes and want to help. The competition is free to enter and all monies raised go to support a great cause—mental wellness for youth.”

Interested applicants can learn more and apply on Cover Nation.