Gracie Gold Attends Indy 500 Race 2014

Photo by Joey Foley/WireImage

Indianapolis, Indiana - Eighteen year old Olympic Figure Skater Gracie Gold looked pretty in a green shirt, black shorts and sandals with her Olympic medal as she steps out to the 2014 Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana.



Grace Elizabeth Gold born August 17, 1995, known as Gracie Gold, is an American figure skater. She is the 2012 World Junior silver medalist, 2013 U.S. national silver medalist, and 2014 U.S. national champion. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Gold received a bronze medal in the team event and placed 4th in the ladies' single skating competition. Gold placed 5th at the 2014 World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, Japan.

Gracie Gold Attends 2014 Indy 500 Snakepit Ball

Photo by Joey Foley/Getty Images

Indianapolis, Indiana -  Eighteen year old Olympic Figure Skater Gracie Gold looked really gorgeous in a black halter dress as she steps out to attend the 2014 Indy 500 Snakepit Ball during the 2014 Indy 500 Festival at Indiana Roof Ballroom on May 24, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana..


Grace Elizabeth Gold born August 17, 1995, known as Gracie Gold, is an American figure skater. She is the 2012 World Junior silver medalist, 2013 U.S. national silver medalist, and 2014 U.S. national champion. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Gold received a bronze medal in the team event and placed 4th in the ladies' single skating competition. Gold placed 5th at the 2014 World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, Japan.

Photo by Joey Foley/Getty Images

Gracie Gold Rides In 2014 IPL 500 Festival Parade

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Indianapolis, Indiana -  Eighteen year old Olympic Figure Skater Gracie Gold looked really beautiful in a blue dress with platform shoes and her gold medal as she steps out to ride in the the 2014 IPL 500 Festival Parade during the 2014 Indy 500 Festival at on May 24, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana.


In other news it was announced that Gracie Gold was nominated for a Kids Choice Sports Awards which takes later this Spring.


Grace Elizabeth Gold born August 17, 1995, known as Gracie Gold, is an American figure skater. She is the 2012 World Junior silver medalist, 2013 U.S. national silver medalist, and 2014 U.S. national champion. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Gold received a bronze medal in the team event and placed 4th in the ladies' single skating competition. Gold placed 5th at the 2014 World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, Japan.

Key, Hernandez will compete in 2013 International Junior Gymnastics Competition

Indianapolis, Indiana -  2013 U.S. junior all-around champion Bailie Key, Montgomery, Texas/Texas
Dreams, and Lauren Hernandez, Old Bridge, N.J./MG Elite, the all-around silver medalist, will represent the United States in the 2013 International Junior Gymnastics Competition at the Yokohama (Japan) Cultural Gymnasium, Sept. 22-23.


This event is the first international assignment for Hernandez and the fourth for Key. Coaches for the event are Kim Zmeskal Burdette of Texas Dreams and Maggie Haney and of MG Elite.

Musician Spotlight: Rising Singer/Songwriter Maria Diebolt

There is a 13 year old talented young Lady that caught our attention from Fisher, Indiana. This talented Singer/Songwriter is Maria Diebolt who is a great Singer/Songwriter whose style of singing is Pop.

Thirteen year old singer/songwriter sensation Maria Diebolt (Dee-bolt) is already taking the world by storm with her insightful lyrics and a vocal maturity beyond her years! She has been singing publicly for about five years and has already garnered local, national, and international acclaim for her talents. Currently, Maria can be heard at local venues singing her own sets with Indy’s top band Zanna-Doo! She also has a keen interest in songwriting and recently recorded three original songs, including the heartfelt “Stay Strong” which was written for a classmate who was diagnosed with lymphoma. Maria’s other originals showcase the scope of her songwriting skills. “All I Know” is a pop/rock song in the style of Kelly Clarkson or Demi Lovato and the upbeat pop song “ I'll Be Here For You” is a catchy tune which appeals to an audience of all ages. She just recorded a soulful version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” which is available on iTunes along with her first three originals. Maria also has a full repertoire of cover songs in her catalog.

Maria has performed and competed at a variety of venues, including U.S. Cellular Field where she sang the National Anthem for a Chicago White Sox game this summer. She has won several vocal competitions, including St. Simon Idol, CarmelFest Has Talent, the Hamilton County Fair Talent Contest, as well as several regional voice and dance competitions. She was named Outstanding Performer for three consecutive years at the Catholic Youth Organization’s Music Contest in Indianapolis. Her largest live audience was in 2008 at the Circle of Lights Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Indianapolis. Maria was the youngest soloist chosen to perform in front of an estimated crowd of 100,000 people. The event was also televised on WRTV, the local ABC affiliate.

Maria has performed locally at several events, including “A Night To Unite” campaign against hate and bullying, Classic Movie Events at Forest Park, Circle City Voice Showcase, Second Saturday Gallery Walk, Midwest School of Voice Showcase, Art In The Park, Carmel Community Players Haunted Cabaret, Cookies ‘n Santa at Fishers Town Hall, The Fishers Freedom Festival, The Indiana State Fair, school talent shows and at her church. Maria has been dancing for over 11 years and has been trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, modern and contemporary. She is the daughter of Ann Diebolt and resides in Fishers, Indiana.

Maria is available to perform the National Anthem or is available to book for your party or event. Please contact Ann Diebolt at anndiebolt@gmail.com or by phone at 317-770-7793 or 317-518-4365.

We most recently had the chance to interview this 13 year old young Lady Maria Diebolt.

When did you start singing?
I've been singing almost since I could talk!  My mom noticed pretty early on that I had a really pretty vibrato, so she enrolled me in voice lessons right before my 9th birthday.

Was it your dream to be a singer?
For as long as I can remember!!!  My mom just put together a video to my recording of Eva Cassidy’s “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and it brought back SO many memories – I guess it shows that I've been a performer almost all my life…even just while I was standing on my bed singing into a little karaoke machine microphone!

Tell us about your style of singing?
I like all different kinds of music, but mostly pop.  I get kind of uncomfortable when people ask me who I sound like, because I really just want to sound like myself!  People have told me that they hear a little Kelly Clarkson, or Demi Lovato, or Pink sometimes in my voice, but I just want to sound like Maria Diebolt!

Are there challenges pursuing a singing career?
It’s hard to focus full time on singing at my age, but I’m trying really hard to do that!  I’m in 8th grade, so obviously school is a priority – homework gets in the way of my singing a lot!  I’m also in a couple of dance classes and I dance with my school’s dance company.  It’s also hard to find places to perform at my age – it’s easier during the summer months when there are festivals and outdoor venues.

Does your parents and friends support you?
Yes!  I'm so lucky to have a mom that supports me 100% in my singing and songwriting!  I’m only 13, so I know I wouldn't be able to do the things I’m doing now without her!  My friends are really great too – my last video (Hello) starred one of my best friends – she was my “stalker”!  It’s really cool to think that I have actual “fans”, but I guess I do!!!  I've met many of them through YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and ReverbNation – and they have been incredibly supportive of me!  It’s amazing and I’m so grateful!!!

Do you write your own songs?
Yes, I've been writing songs for quite a while now.  I have several songs in my journal and I've been able to record three of them in the studio (my EP entitled Only The Beginning).  I also have enough songs ready to record my first full-length album called Inner Beauty.  I currently have a Kickstarter campaign running in order to raise funds to record this album.  (www.Kickstarter.com)

If so, tell us what goes into writing a great song?
I get my inspiration everywhere…from relationships (boyfriend and girlfriend), or friendships, or even just looking out the window and seeing the sun shining on the water!  No matter what you write, it just ends up being a story, you're telling a story.

Where was your first performance, were you excited?
My very first vocal performance was at a Christmas function in my hometown.  I was a tiny bit nervous, but I was more excited to get up there and sing!  I sang 2 songs – first I sang Silent Night, then I sang Think Of Me from Phantom of the Opera.  When I finished, all my friends came rushing up to me and they were all telling me that I made their parents cry!  I had a lot of parents tell me how much it touched them when I sang that song and it brought them to tears!  It was hard to understand that I could have that kind of effect on people!

Where have you been able to perform?
I've been able to perform in a variety of places!  My biggest crowd to perform in front of was in 2008 at the Circle of Lights, which is the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in downtown Indianapolis.  I was the youngest soloist ever chose to perform – I sang three songs in the pre-show, then the live show was televised on our local Indianapolis TV station and I sang “My Favorite Things” to Santa Claus!  The crowd was estimated at over 100,000 people.  I have also performed at several local and regional dance/vocal competitions, festivals and fairs.  This past summer I was lucky enough to meet Lisa Sauce, who is the owner of Blonde Entertainment.  She has become my mentor and good friend!!  She has allowed me to perform live with one of the biggest bands in Indianapolis (Zanna Doo) and it’s been such a great experience.  Two of the guys from this band are going to help me with my upcoming album – they are awesome musicians and awesome people, I’m very lucky to have all of them in my life right now!  My biggest, most recent performance was singing the National Anthem at Cellular Field at a Chicago White Sox game this past summer.  It was amazing!!!!  I also got to sing the National Anthem and a couple of other songs at a 9/11 event this past September called America Remembers.  I felt very honored to participate in that event.  I have some National Anthem gigs coming up with the Indiana Ice hockey team in the next couple of months and I will be performing at a holiday event in Indianapolis on December 9th  called Evening Of Holiday Joy which is a fundraiser for St. Mary’s Child Center and Wish Upon a Wedding.

Who inspires you with your singing and songwriting?
As I said before, I get my inspiration everywhere.  There are so many artists out there that inspire me to use my songwriting for good use – like to try to stop bullying, to encourage hope, to inspire others to go and make a difference in their lives as well as others lives.  Artists I look up to are Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and many, many more.  One of the first songs I recorded was called Stay Strong – it was a song I wrote for a friend of mine who was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  When I heard the news, and found out what she was going to go through, I felt helpless!  I wanted to do something, but we couldn't afford to donate money…so I decided to use my talents and write her a song.  Today, she is cancer free!  She is such an inspiration, not just to me but to everyone!

If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I want to perform EVERYWHERE in the world!  It’s always been my dream and my goal to go on a World Tour!

Along the same line, who would you love to perform with?
I would be thrilled to work with any artist right now – there are so many!!!  Of course, any of the artists that I mentioned above would be at the top of my list!!!

What are some of your goals for your Music?
My ultimate goal is to get my music out there and to inspire people the way I've been inspired!  And to go on a world tour!  But my immediate goal right now is to get my album recorded, hopefully by reaching my funding goal in my Kickstarter campaign.

Kickstarter.com is a website that helps people get funding for their projects, whether it’s music, dance, film, games, literature and so on.  You put your project on their website with your funding goal and you have a set amount of time that your campaign will run.  If you don’t meet your financial goal by the end, you don’t get anything, no one is charged, and the project just dies – or you try it again at some point.  My campaign is currently running through November 24th – which is my birthday!!!  I’m hoping for the BEST birthday present ever – to get that project fully funded so that I can go into the studio and record my album!

My project can be viewed here:  http://kck.st/WeudIN

What do you hope to accomplish with your singing/songwriting?
I hope someday I can inspire others the way I've been inspired.  And it doesn't have to be a huge, big thing – sometimes it’s that lonely moment when you're sitting in your room, and you think you're ugly and no one likes you….then you hear a song that tells you you're beautiful just the way you are, that you can stay strong and make it through those lonely times, that it’s OK to break up with that boy, because something better is waiting for you down the road!

Do you have any advice for those wanting to start a career in singing and songwriting?
Just start writing and keep a journal.  Write down everything, even if you don't think it’s good, it probably is!  A lot of the stuff I've written, I'm not sure it’s good, but then people read it or hear it and say “Whoa, that is amazing!!!” Just believe in yourself, write everything down, and keep practicing!  It’s hard because there are so many great young artists out there, but just be true to yourself and keep working!

Is there anything else you want our readers to know about you, your singing/songwriting?
I really couldn't do any of this stuff without the support of my mom.  She has raised me by herself – I don't even know my dad, he has chosen not to be a part of our lives.  I know it’s been hard, she owns a dance store (which I try to help out with) and she works 2 or 3 jobs, depending on the time of year and she takes care of my grandma, who lives with us.  We don't have a “typical” family, but we do our best!  I've learned so much over the past few years – we've struggled like a lot of people these days, and I've learned that I can get by on just a little bit….I don't have to have all the best shoes, or the best clothes, or the latest phone…at the end of the day, that’s not the important stuff.  It’s important to have the love of your family and friends, we have a roof over our heads and we are making it.  We have a very strong faith, and that has helped us through all the really rough times!  Maybe someday I'll be able to repay my mom for all the sacrifices she’s made so that I can sing and dance!

Here are the links to my online websites:

www.MariaDiebolt.com
www.YouTube.com/mariasmama
www.ReverbNation.com/mariadiebolt
www.Facebook.com/mariadiebolt
www.Twitter.com/maria_diebolt

I also have some of my songs on iTunes – my first three originals (Stay Strong, I’ll Be Here For You and All I Know) and my cover of Eva Cassidy’s Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Do you have any other talents?
I love to dance!  I've been taking dance for over 11 years.  In addition songwriting  it’s another good way to express my emotions.  For quite a few years I danced on a competitive team, which was a lot of fun, but I had to scale back on that because my music is my main priority now.  I’m still taking a few dance classes a week and I just got my first pair of pointe shoes!!  I'm taking my first pointe class, which has been one of my dreams for a long time!  I also dance on my junior high dance team, which is so much fun! I love spending that time with my friends!

Maria is a very talented young Lady that has a very bright future ahead of her. We wish all the best as she follows her dreams.

Rocky Coast News is pleased to have Maria Diebolt as our latest "Musician Spotlight", where we highlight, promote up and coming musicians that have amazing vocals, sound, style and/or who are able to play an instrument well singing.

Nastia Liukin Cup Series enters its fourth season in 2013

Indianapolis, Indiana – The 2013 Nastia Liukin Cup Series, which includes 19 events in 13 states, will run from Jan. 11 to Feb. 17, 2013. As in the past, gymnasts from the invitational meets in the Series will compete in the 2013 Nastia Liukin Cup on March 1, 2013, at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., the site of the inaugural Cup in 2009. The Nastia Liukin Cup is held the night before the 2013 American Cup, one of the world's most prestigious international invitationals and an International Gymnastics Federation's World Cup event.

"The Nastia Liukin Cup Series has become an important element in the national promotion of our sport," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "With Nastia's direct involvement, the series has achieved its goal of providing a great showcase and fun opportunity for our up-and-coming gymnasts."

"I'm thrilled that the 2013 Cup will be in Worcester," said Liukin, the 2008 Olympic all-around champion who has five Olympic and nine World medals to her credit. "The Cup and my Foundation are both set up to provide a unique experience for young gymnasts with big dreams. I look forward to mentoring these girls on their future goals in gymnastics."

The Nastia Liukin Cup Series features many of the country's top gymnastics invitational meets held throughout the United States from January through mid-February 2013. Twenty junior and 15 senior gymnasts from each of the Series events will advance to the Nastia Liukin Cup, which is held in conjunction with the American Cup.

The invitational meets included in the 2013 Nastia Liukin Cup Series are:

Circle of Stars Gymnastics Invitational, Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 11-13
The Atlanta Crown Invitational, Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 11-13
Pikes Peak Cup, Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 18-20
CGA Coaches Spectacular, Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 18-20
Kim Zmeskal's Texas Prime Meet, Irving, Texas, Jan. 18-20
Lady Luck Invitational, Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 18-20
Sand Dollar/Whitlow Invitational, Kissimmee, Fla., Jan. 25-27
Wisconsin Dells Gymnastics Vacation Classic, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Jan. 25-27
Parkettes Invitational, Allentown, Pa., Jan. 25-27
San Diego Classic, San Diego, Calif., Jan. 25-27
Fiesta Bowl Invitational, Chandler, Ariz., Feb. 8-10
Charity Choice Invitational, Tacoma, Wash., Feb. 8-10
IGI Chicago Style, Chicago, Ill., Feb. 8-10
Gliders Invitational, Ontario, Calif., Feb. 8-9
The Magical Classic, Orlando, Fla., Feb. 15-16
Buckeye Classic, Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 15-17
Presidential Classic, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Feb. 15-17
WOGA Classic, Frisco, Texas, Feb. 15-17
Arizona Sunrays Classic Rock Invitational, Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 15-17

Gymnasts who compete in the Nastia Liukin Cup will receive a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite; two tickets to the American Cup and recognition during the event; and the opportunity to meet Liukin and participate in a team photo.

A portion of the proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Cup benefits the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund in partnership with the National Gymnastics Foundation (www.usagym.org/foundation).

Background information

Nastia Liukin. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Liukin's total of five medals tied the U.S. gymnastics record for most medals in one Olympic Games, held by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Shannon Miller (1992). Liukin's Olympic medals are: gold – all-around; silver – team, balance beam and uneven bars; and bronze – floor exercise. Liukin is just the third U.S. woman to win the Olympic all-around crown. She also won nine World medals in her career. Liukin has graced many magazine covers and appeared on various shows, including "Gossip Girl," "Make It or Break it," and the feature film, "Stick It." She was also chosen as one of 2009's most influential women by MSN Lifestyle. Liukin recently returned to training with an eye on the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Coached by her father, Valeri, who has four Olympic medals from 1988 including two gold, she was added to the 2011-12 Women's National Team in November 2011.

American Cup. The 2013 American Cup, an FIG World Cup event, is one of the most prestigious international invitational events and features an all-around format. The list of former champions comprises some of the sport's best-known names, including Jordyn Wieber, Nastia Liukin, Jonathan Horton, Bart Conner, Paul Hamm, Shawn Johnson, Shannon Miller, Carly Patterson, Mary Lou Retton and Peter Vidmar. For more information, go to www.usagym.org/americancup.