2Step Closer is a dynamic duo that was created in early September 2010. With its unique blend of taste and style, Abby Gregori and Dan Marcelino have collaborated to make a genre all their own. The silky smooth sound, mixed with modern drive and memorable, poetic lyrics give their music a harmonic balance.

While she was a student of an artistic oriented school in Europe, Abby began playing the violin at the age of seven, but soon discovered the acoustic guitar as the best way to express herself. Having years of experience in classical guitar, she pronounces her thoughts and feelings by combining singing/songwriting with her instrumental talent on numerous guitars, and piano. Spending the last two years in Canada, Abby is now 17 years old and has widend her gaze to many different cultures and styles. With great influences such as Secondhand Seranade, Evanescence, and RED, Abby has two people who shine through and are her strongest inspirations, her grandmother and grandfather. Both being opera singers, Abby feels it is they who inspire her the most and, as she says, "They are where i get my talent from."

Starting out on drums when he was 12 years old, Dan has been drumming for many bands, acts, and recording on albums. Experimenting on many different instruments, he has self taught and found his strengths in drums/percussion, bass guitar, electric and acoustic guitars and piano. Dan Marcelino has been working as a professional musician since he was 15 years of age, now 21 as of November 2010, he strives to change the world for the better using his music and positive talents. Starting up in jazz, Dan has been playing various styles and genres of music throughout his career. These different genres have allowed him to be very creative and unique while he performs, writes and arranges. Although he is very passionate in his music, Dan likes to use his outlook of the musical world, in the "every-day-world" and likes to treat everyone with respect and honor. He wishes that one day, everyone will hear music the way he does and that they will be more thoughtful about everything they do and say.

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The IPE Youth Talent Competition presented by Astral Media is once again on the Dodge Stage at the Armstrong Interior Provincial Exhibition & Stampede's fair grounds from August 31st to September 4th . The popular event takes place every night on the Dodge Truck stage at 9:00pm - 10:45pm. Note NEW TIME! The primary objective of this event is to encourage young Canadians to develop and advance their performing arts talents. Also to provide the venue, organization, and opportunity for young Canadians to demonstrate their performing arts talent in a competitive environment that encourages participation, evaluation, and learning experience.

2011 Winners – 2Step Closer
2010 Winners – Aaron Gordon Trio
2009 – Lucy and the Lucky Four


Check back later for application forms for the 2012 Youth Talent Contest