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Arts & Entertainment

Sewickley Singer Opens Santa Spectacular

She'll kick off the Pittsburgh's annual holiday show tonight at Point State Park, Downtown.

Sewickley native Sydney Hutchko will take to the stage tonight for the 2011 Duquesne Light Santa Spectacular Show at Point State Park during Pittsburgh's annual Light Up Night festivities. Hutchko, a 2007 North Allegheny High School graduate, will open the stage entertainment at 7:45 p.m.

Following the performances, guests at the Santa Spectacular will be treated to the Macy’s Fireworks-to-Music Finale and the lighting of the 80-foot Duquesne Light Tree at the Point.

In addition to performing in shows in the Pittsburgh and Nashville areas, Hutchko recently released a self-titled EP, which is available on iTunes, Amazon.com, and CD Baby. Within one day of its release, her album “charted.”

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Hutchko’s original songs “Mr. Mister” and “Guardian Angel” are now playing locally and regionally on country music stations. She has also been an opening act for such country artists as George Jones and Miranda Lambert. 

Patch had the opportunity to sit down with this rising country star just before her big hometown performance.

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Patch: How does it feel to be chosen for this event?

Hutchko: I'm extremely excited that they asked me to perform at Santa Spectacular. Growing up in Pittsburgh, this event is the kick-off for the holiday season. I'm honored to be a part of such a great event. 

Patch: What was it like growing up in Sewickley?

Hutchko: Living in Sewickley gives you the best of both worlds because it's 15 minutes out of the city, yet I still have the feeling that I'm out in the country.  

Patch: Is there anything that you learned in the Sewickley community that you could say has had a positive impact on your career?

Hutchko: I've learned to be proud of what I do. Going to North Allegheny, a school where students were bursting with musical talent, I learned to not compare myself to anybody else, and to just be the best Sydney that I could be. In the end, I am my only competition. 

Patch: What do you miss most about home?

Hutchko: Aside from my family and friends, I miss that nostalgic feeling that I get when I'm turning into my neighborhood. I miss the very distinct changes of all four seasons—we have four seasons in Nashville, but the fall and winter, my two favorite ones, are by far the shortest. Pittsburgh is irreplaceable; no matter where I go, Pittsburgh will always have my heart.

Patch: How have you changed since you left home?

Hutchko: Attending college makes you look at yourself and rely on yourself like you've never had to before. I moved to a new city nine hours from home, didn't know a soul and I was just really green. After graduating this past May with a degree in music susiness, I feel that I'm really coming into my own as a person and as an artist.

Patch: What's on the horizon for you?

Hutchko: I like to set long-term and short-term goals for myself. Short-term being: continuing to write songs and evolve as an artist. Long-term: becoming a successful artist and maybe even getting into the production side of the business…the possibilities are endless!

For more information about Hutchko’s self-titled EP, visit the singer’s website at www.sydneyhutchko.com

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