MEET THE TOP 3 OF YCGT
Grand Champions: MERIDIAN
Meridian is a four piece teenage rock band from Livingston Montana that focuses on delivering energetic and entertaining live performances while also bringing new original music to audiences, playing everything from funk to hard rock. Xander Becnel sings lead vocals, Bridger Himmelspach plays bass, Hunter Viers is on guitar, and Finn Johnson rocks out on drums. Meridian plays at (and more often than not hosts) the weekly jam night at the Murray Hotel and Bar, and has worked with Jamey Warren at Sound Color Studios. Meridian can be found on all streaming services, and they have just released their debut EP titled “Outset.”
Meridian will be performing at the Sweet Pea Festival with the Shane Center this August!
MERIDIAN poses for their photoshoot
2nd Place: ASCEND
Star Caron is a proud wife, mom, and aerialist from the Gallatin valley near Bozeman. She began taking aerial classes with Mountain Air Dance, a non-profit dance academy in Bozeman, when she was 17. Star fell in love with the art of aerial dance and the lovely community of dancers it brings together early on. Star Caron is very excited to perform her original piece Ascend on silks. In her free time when she’s not taking care of her family or instructing dance classes in Bozeman, you'll usually find her crocheting, spending time with her pets, or gardening at home.
Star Caron performs daring feats in her first performance of the evening.
Photo Credit: Alex Kay Potter
3rd Place: ARABIAN NIGHTS
Hayden Opsahl (12) and Seamus Stewart (12) are both members of the 406Cirque Youth Troupe. Their piece Arabian Nights is an original work. The duo choreographed this act as a way to challenge themselves to combine their passion for tumbling, gymnastics, trapeze, and aerial silks. For the past two years, Hayden has starred in 406Cirque's annual Spooktacular production. In addition to the circus, Hayden loves volleyball and gymnastics. In 2025, Seamus was a soloist in the 406Cirque’s production of A Circus Carol, playing the part of Young Scrooge. He has also performed with Opera Montana and Montana Theatre Works.
Hayden and Seamus dazzle the audience with their original piece “Arabian Nights”
Photo Credit: Alex Kay Potter