Voting for the second round begins tonight at 9 p.m.

One of the 224 contestants remaining is Anna Trent of Escanaba. She performs under the stage name Ana Shaydze and has been singing for much of her life.

“I think my first performance was at church during a Christmas program when I was nine — so about 28 years (ago),” Trent said.

Now, as a singer-songwriter-guitarist, she plays in the worship band for New Life Church in Escanaba, performs at events and concerts, and attends karaoke and open mics.

Anna Trent, a.k.a. Ana Shaydze, sings and plays guitar at an open mic night at Upper Hand Brewery on May 5. Trent is currently a contestant in a showcase of Christian vocalists. (R. R. Branstrom)

“I prefer to sing more contemporary Christian, but I’ll read the room when I go into, like, different bars that I don’t know well,” Trent said. “I can sing Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, late ’90s, early 2000s songs.”

Originally from Mount Carroll, Ill., Trent moved to the Upper Peninsula about five years ago to be closer to her partner’s family. She has a daughter, Lily, who sometimes accompanies her on stage.

Locally, Trent has performed at past Jesus Fests and at the inaugural Log Jam Music Festival in Escanaba. She has a handful of concerts coming up, as well.

Recently, the call for entries for the Christian music competition came up on Trent’s Facebook feed. To be considered, vocalists were required to submit a video to You, God’s Music.

Trent sent in a music video for an original song she wrote and performed, called “Seeing Grace.” The video, filmed by her daughter and with audio recorded by Dustin Dimock, is also found on Trent’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@AnaShaydze.

Twelve-year-old Lily Themas records a video her mother, Anna Trent, during a recent performance. (R. R. Branstrom)

Community votes narrowed down the original entrants from about 500. Prior the launch of the second round, contestants were asked to submit a second video; Trent’s was of her singing a cover of “Brave” by Nicole Nordeman. From Friday night at 10 p.m. EDT through May 31, the public is able to again vote for their favorite singer of the bunch. Votes cost $1 each, with a five-vote minimum. There is no limit to the number of times a single viewer can vote.

The money raised goes to multiple sources.

While 60% of the vote money goes to You, God’s Music — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — to put on the grand finale in San Antonio and fly out the top five singers to perform, another 20% goes to the artist and the final 20% is distributed to the church or organization of the artist’s choice. Trent has opted to make New Life Church her beneficiary.

After the second round concludes at the end of the month, the top 25 contestants will proceed to the semifinals, which again will be voted upon by the public from June 12 to 28.

After semifinals, You, God’s Music will cover airfare, hotels and meals for the top five artists to head to the concert in San Antonio.

On July 25, the top five contestants will perform at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts near the San Antonio Riverwalk.

Finalists will have the opportunity to work closely with and be accompanied live by the Jordan Feliz band.

Judging for the final round will be done partially through public votes and partially by a professional panel. The first-place winner will receive a “high-quality original single, mixed and mastered, a video package with a song story interview and acoustic performance, plus one professional photo session with a digital media package.”

Second through fifth place also receive prizes — a consult for copyright registration, a makeover, a travel gift card, and greater portion of vote money towards their chosen organization.

While only a handful of singers will make it to the stage in Texas, Trent is already enjoying the competition so far.

“I am having quite a bit of fun just getting stuff out there and becoming more recognized, but ultimately, my goal is to be able to share my music with the world and win this thing — and maybe not work at McDonald’s for the rest of my life,” said Trent with a small laugh.

She hopes that the exposure will bring her music to more people and that locals might attend her upcoming performances. On May 22, Trent will play a concert at New Life Church at 6:30 p.m.; on May 26, she’ll be at Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone at 6:30 p.m.

In a video shared on YouTube last week, Trent thanked all her fans and people who have voted so far.

“It is just phenomenal to see how God is working and, you know, rewarding my efforts in stepping out there and putting myself into the spotlight to show off the talents that that God has given me, and seeing the reception that I’ve got in such a real and valid way,” she said in the video dated May 6.

Past winners of the You, God’s Music Showcase were Matthew K. Jenkins of Maryland in 2025, Lonnie Stewart Jr. from Florida in 2024, Melinda Drake of Florida in 2023, Rebeckah Hastings from Alaska in 2022, Justin Gambino from Texas in 2021 and Alexa Padalecki of Texas in 2020.