Cape native looks for votes in TV contest

Southeast Missourian

Liesl Schoenberger rehearsed "Carmen" with the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Sara Edgerton. (Fred Lynch)

Cape Girardeau native Liesl Schoenberger has a shot at becoming "America's Hot Musician," but she needs help.

Liesl Schoenberger plays an excerpt from Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy with the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra at Bedell Performance Hall. (Video by Fred Lynch)

Schoenberger is an accomplished violinist and fiddler who now attends the University of Indiana, where she's studying for a master's degree in music.

Last year Schoenberger filmed episodes for a instrumental music talent competition called "America's Hot Musician," produced by the not-for-profit American Youth Symphony. The show was originally set to air on the Oxygen Network, but the sale of the network canceled the contract, and the two parties are now locked in a legal battle.

The winner will now be decided by voting at the show's Web site, www.americashotmusician.org. Visitors can watch episodes then vote for their favorites. Voting continues through Feb. 15.