Last year’s contestants remember the nerves, camaraderie and thrill of taking the stage as a new group of performers prepares for the Bijou Theatre.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (October 27, 2026) — Twelve performers ages 60 and older will take the stage at Knoxville’s historic Bijou Theatre on Tuesday, Nov. 10, for the eighth annual Morning Pointe Seniors Got Talent finals. The competition brings together a new group of performers following a 2025 show that left even the judges impressed by the range of talent.
Last year’s first-place winner, Beverly Kerr, was among those who came away surprised by the experience. Despite being surrounded by performers she considered exceptionally talented, she walked away with the top honor.
“I cannot believe that I won this contest,” Kerr said after the 2025 competition. “I felt very honored in front of so many talented senior people and just felt so lucky that I was one of the contestants.”
For Kerr and the other contestants, the event offered a chance to share their talents with an audience. Their reflections provide a glimpse of what awaits this year’s performers as they prepare to take the Bijou stage.
A Night That Stays With the Performers
Kerr was not the only contestant who enjoyed the experience. The Sapphires, a vocal ensemble that earned second place in 2025, said performing together was a highlight of the evening.
“It was fun, fun, fun,” said Diane McGrath of The Sapphires. “The audience was great, and we enjoyed every second.”
Fellow member Susan Brooks also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate and support the cause behind the competition.
The evening left an impression on judge Rachel Schlafer-Parton, who was struck by the variety of performances and the difficulty of choosing among them.
“There is so much talent in Knoxville, and I was really privileged to be a part of this tonight,” Schlafer-Parton said. “It was super hard being a judge. Some things were just so very close, and everybody’s so different.”
A New Group Takes the Stage
This year’s finalists bring their own mix of musical and performance styles to the Bijou. The lineup includes the Mt. LeConte Jug Band, comedy juggler Robb Zeiser, harmonica player Jim Braddock, the Jasmine Quartet, dancer Mark Walker and a range of solo singers.
The competition is presented by the Morning Pointe Foundation in partnership with Morning Pointe Senior Living. Proceeds support the Foundation’s scholarships for students pursuing careers in nursing, therapy, culinary arts and social work, along with caregiver education.
The Morning Pointe Foundation partners with colleges and technical schools across the Tennessee Valley, including The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College, Southern Adventist University, Dalton State College, Cleveland State Community College, Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Athens, TCAT Chattanooga, TCAT Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College, Roane State Community College and Tennessee Wesleyan University. Through these partnerships, the Foundation helps students prepare for careers in healthcare and other fields that support older adults.
As Knoxville prepares to welcome a new group of performers, last year’s contestants offer a reminder of what makes the event special: the opportunity to share a talent, connect with an audience and experience the excitement of performing on stage.
Event Details
What: Morning Pointe Seniors Got Talent Knoxville Finals
When: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St., Knoxville, TN 37902
Tickets: https://knoxbijou.org/bijou-events/6th-annual-morning-pointe-foundation-seniors-got-talent/
For more information, visit https://morningpointefoundation.com/events/seniors-got-talent/.
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Morning Pointe Senior Living, headquartered in Ooltewah, Tennessee, was founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in four southeastern states, including GA, IN, KY & TN. For more information, visit morningpointe.com.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide clinical scholarships and caregiver support.
