Out & About: Local songbirds shine at 'Westmoreland Has Talent'

Pitt-Greensburg students might be intrigued — or appalled — to know that, after hours, their leader can really rock out.

President Robert Gregerson brought a heavy-metal growl to Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” as one of the featured performers in Westmoreland Has Talent on March 25 at Live Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall. His homage to the band’s lead singer, Dee Snider, included a frizzly blond wig and black jumpsuit adorned with flames.

The karaoke showcase was hosted by the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition.

Vocal coach and professional entertainer Vanessa Rae Beggs also got into the spirit of rock rebellion with a blistering version of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” She was introduced to the grunge rockers just days prior by her preteen daughter, Violet Skacel.

Chelsea Weid, a Seton Hill University junior and the coalition’s executive administrative assistant, sang Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” She also provided backup to paramour Caleb Mann as he sang Zach Bryan’s “God Speed.”

Jill McBroom, Union Mission case manager and housing support specialist, wowed with the classic torch song, “Bye Bye Baby, Bye Bye.”

Jeff Abramowitz let Brittany Sines take the lead in their duet of John Denver’s “Country Roads, Take Me Home,” as he echoed the chorus. Abramowitz is Westmoreland Food Bank director of employee engagement and culture, while Sines is school-based mentoring coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region.

Erica Adams, Seton Hill University advancement service manager, delved the depths of emotion in Etta James’s “I’d Rather Go Blind,” a rendition she said won her a previous karaoke contest.

Michel Keller, vice president of education and workforce development for the Private Industry Council, brought a cool country vibe to The Chicks’ “Cowboy Take Me Away.”

Guest speaker for the evening was former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, accompanied by his wife, LaTasha Wilson-Batch. He spoke about his Best of the Batch Foundation, and its new Clubhouse in Homestead, which will up the number of children helped annually from 3,800 to 6,000.

Guests were welcomed by WDC founder Carlotta Paige, who also introduced emcee Aaron Allen, a corporal and heritage affairs liaison officer with the Pennsylvania State Police.