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Kohanski connection: Saranac Laker discovers she’s related to ‘The Voice’ contestant

SARANAC LAKE — There aren’t very many Kohanskis in the world. When Amy Kohanski, owner of Earth Shine Yoga studio on Broadway, heard that a Chloe Kohanski was among the top contenders on “The Voice,” she wondered: “Is she family?”

She knew whom to ask. “My mother does a lot of genealogy,” said Kohanski. Susan Kohanski, as it turned out, knew a few Kohanskis, including some cousins who hailed from Norwich, Connecticut. It didn’t take long to figure out the connection.

“My parents know her grandparents,” said Amy Kohanski. “So, I’ve never met Chloe, but I’m very excited she’s made it as far as she has.”

“The Voice” is a nationally broadcast talent show on NBC, in which contestants are voted into the final rounds by viewers. Chloe Kohanski, now 23, started singing at age five. After starting college to study English, she dropped out and devoted herself to music. She moved to Nashville and threw herself into her career. Four years later, she got a phone call inviting her to audition for The Voice.

Her rendition of Stevie Nicks’ “Landslide” garnered so many viewer votes, it became the highest-ranked song on iTunes among The Voice artists during the Knockout Rounds, reaching No. 12. Last week she did even better with “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” by Bonnie Tyler, bringing that song to No. 1.

She recently told People magazine that she’s the black sheep of the family, as she’s the only one with a passion for music. Distant cousin Amy Kohanski says she herself isn’t musical, and doesn’t sing.

“The Voice” airs Monday and Tuesday nights. Competitions are in five stages: blind auditions, battle rounds, knockouts, playoffs and finally live performances. Chloe Kohanski advances to the playoffs on Monday night.

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