Throughout September, talented voices could be heard echoing from the Cascade Community Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Main. It was time again for Operation Rising Star, the six-year-old military singing competition open to Servicemembers and dependents and conducted at 37 installations.

Danielle Embry, 25, had never actually sung on her own before taking the stage during tryouts. She'd sung in her church choir and had always wanted to enter into a local competition, yet she'd been unaware of Operation Rising Star until this year.

"I saw the signs around base and I got excited," she said. "I was just so glad that it was available to spouses and family, too."

Embry has been stationed at JBLM for two years with her husband, Pfc. Corey Embry, of the 38th Engineering Company, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and they love the area. Three months ago they also welcomed their first child, a son.

"I've had back to back surprises," she laughed. "Especially with this. The last four competitors were all good, and we were all really different."

On Sept. 29, out of a field of 32 competitors, Embry was named the 2011 Rising Star from JBLM and will now have a shot at going onto the national finals in November. But what will she sing?

"I can sing everything, but I prefer gospel and old school Motown - like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder," said Embry, who wowed the judges and crowd with Franklin's ‘Natural Woman' on the last night of competition. In addition to her JBLM title, she was also awarded the $500 first place prize.

The list of the top 12 will be announced on Oct. 13 on www.OpRisingStar.com, and then those individuals will travel to San Antonio to compete. The Operation Rising Star weeklong finals competition will be broadcast on the Pentagon Channel starting Nov 13.