Photo Flash: THE GLEE PROJECT Season 2 Contestant Photos

On the heels of a record-breaking and award-winning first season, Oxygen reveals 14 extraordinarily talented contenders for a second season of THE GLEE PROJECT. Their dream grand prize: a guest starring role on the hit FOX series "Glee." Season one of the critically-lauded "The Glee Project" electrified Gleeks all over the world and saw its winners, Damian McGinty and Samuel Larsen, each land seven-episode arcs on the hit series "Glee," with two of the final four contenders, Lindsay Pearce and Alex Newell, both earning two-episode arcs as runners-up. Season two of "The Glee Project" will air on Oxygen this summer with additional themes, all new music and more episodes.Rod Aissa, SVP, Original Programming and Development, Oxygen Media said: "'The Glee Project' is a very special show that in its premiere season won over fans and critics alike. We've uncovered the best and brightest young talent on air coupled with an unmatched production team, led internally by our Head of Development Cori Abraham; and we're so excited for season two." Aissa added, "This New Group of remarkable young men and women are going to ignite the conversation around this remarkable show. We think our viewers will agree they are one of the most unique and diverse cast of performers on television."

Season two of "The Glee Project" will return with Ryan Murphy and Dante di Loreto continuing as executive producers, along with series executive producers Michael Davies and Shauna Minoprio of Embassy Row. During the eleven week run of the series, "The Glee Project" contenders will be narrowed down through intensive rounds of workshops, singing, dancing and acting-based assignments as the creative forces of "Glee" carefully assess who has what it takes to be one of the next new faces of the award-winning show. Murphy will once again join casting director Robert Ulrich and choreographer and "Glee" co-producer Zach Woodlee in the final deliberations of each installment of the series. Vocal coach Nikki Anders, who mentored the contenders on-air in season one, joins the judging panel in season two each week as a permanent member. Additionally, continuing with the format of season one, "Glee" series regulars will appear on "The Glee Project" as guest mentors, including Lea Michele ("Rachel Berry") in the show's premiere episode.

Open casting calls for season two took place in Chicago, Nashville and New York, in addition to a competitive online search. The final 14 contenders hail from all over the country and come from widely differing backgrounds. They all have one thing in common - their love of performing and their desire to win the prize of a lifetime!

"I've had the immense pleasure of auditioning so many unique and gifted singers, actors and dancers from all over the country" said casting director Robert Ulrich. "Ultimately, 14 out of thousands were chosen, and I'm so proud of this group of stellar young men and women."

Fans can "Like" The Glee Project on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thegleeproject, follow @TheGleeProject on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/thegleeproject) and join the conversation using #TheGleeProject, and follow The Glee Project on Tumblr at http://thegleeproject.tumblr.com.

Meet the contenders:

The Girls

Dani

Age: 23

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Dani has been performing since she completed her very first talent competition in fifth grade and won second place. At age 16, after attending a theatre magnet program in High School, she started teaching herself how to play the guitar and write original songs, and has since written and independently released four albums and two singles. Dani made it on to the Top 48 of "America's Got Talent" season six last year (2011), and gained a devoted following of online fans from doing so. She loves to mix up her acts with bits of comedy, rap, and audience participation. With such an independent attitude, Dani has expressed that she would want to play an androgynous female who bravely walks away from her Mormon upbringing if she ever got the opportunity to be on "Glee." Dani originally auditioned for "The Glee Project" at the Nashville open casting call.

Nellie

Age: 19

Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Nellie has been performing for eight years and is a vocalist for a local swing band - the youngest member by 20 years. Aside from singing, she also plays piano and guitar, and she writes her own original songs. She works as a barista and her favorite performance space is in a small, cozy coffee shop. Nellie has a strong love for the arts, especially photography, and can often be seen at photo shoots on her weekends off. Nellie was discovered for "The Glee Project" through an online video submission.

Aylin

Age: 19

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Aylin has been an active singer for the past 10 years. She started the first female a cappella group at Loyola Academy, and is now currently a student at Roosevelt University majoring in vocal jazz performance at their music conservatory. Aylin comes from a very traditional Turkish family and, being Muslim, she has had trouble balancing who she is with who her family expects her to be. She constantly pushes those cultural boundaries in her life and music. Aylin originally auditioned for "The Glee Project" at the Chicago open casting call.

Ali

Age: 24

Hometown: New York, NY

Ali has been a New York City actress and singer for more than three quarters of her life. She is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, concentration in drama. Ali is paralyzed from the chest down, and has used a wheelchair since she was two-years-old. She strives to inspire other people with disabilities who want to pursue a career in performance to follow their dreams. Ali originally auditioned for "The Glee Project" at the New York City open casting call.

Lily Mae

Age: 18

Hometown: Cape Cod, MA

Lily Mae comes from a very musical family. She has been singing all her life and involved with musical theatre for the past six years. Despite her lack of class attendance, Lily Mae was highly involved in extracurricular activities in high school. She is currently enrolled as a student at the Westminster Choir College. Even though she has performed for over 2,500 people at the Symphony Hall in Boston, Lily Mae still finds it challenging to convince people that as a full-figured woman, she can be any shows leading lady. Lily Mae originally auditioned for "The Glee Project" online and at the New York City open casting call.

Shanna

Age: 21

Hometown: Auburn, AL

Shanna has been involved in the music scene for 17 years. She is an experienced tuba and trombone player, and has recently recovered from a vocal fold surgery. Determined to break free of the stereotypes surrounding her in high school, Shanna became involved in sports such as swimming, softball and basketball and also made time for show choir, band, color guard, beta club and Spanish club. She is currently a student at Auburn University. Shanna originally auditioned for "The Glee Project" online and at the Nashville open casting call.

Taryn

Age: 22

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Taryn has been performing for over 12 years, but prior to her audition for "The Glee Project," she had never performed live for a casting panel. Also new to the traveling world, Taryn had never traveled on an airplane until her trip to Los Angeles for her audition. She is a trained aerialist who also enjoys hobbies such as cooking and painting. Taryn was discovered for "The Glee Project" through an online video submission.

The Boys

Tyler

Age: 21

Hometown: Boca Raton, FL

Tyler has an ear for music. He has been performing for 11 years, and is passionate about picking up and learning to play different instruments like the ukulele, for one. Tyler is very independent in his lifestyle and ambitions. When he was 18 months old he taught himself how to read by sleeping with maps and the TV guide in his crib. Currently he is a student at Vanderbilt University. Tyler is half black, half white, Jewish and transgender. He uses Lady Gaga as a constant inspiration in his music. Tyler originally auditioned for "The Glee Project" at the Nashville open casting call.

Michael

Age: 18

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Although he is the youngest of all "The Glee Project" season two contenders, Michael does not lack in experience. He has been performing for over eight years and is already a member of a professional blues band. Michael was a Paul Green School of Rock Chicago All Star, has performed at the House of Blues in Chicago and has already traveled half way around the world to perform in Tokyo. Aside from his love of music, he has a passion for calculus and thinks it is a fantastic subject of study and thoroughly enjoys spending time in the kitchen. Michael was discovered through industry channels to audition for "The Glee Project."

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