United Teens Talent

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2012 UTT Performance

August 4, 2012 at 7:00 PM 

Civic Auditorium, Downtown Kalamazoo

 

2012 UTT Cast

Congratulations to the 2012 United Teens Talent Cast!

Waverly Alguarelles Tianna Baker Sasha Bigby Thomas Cowley Prashant Dault Sidney Ellis Martell Gardner Tristan Gunnett Jalen Holland Nikia Jackson Michael Johnson Holly Jones Carissa Jones Alexus Kernell Quintin Knox Kimberly Locker

Paola Macias Ca'Jon Martin Dason Mitchell Zinziey Ndlovu Chinma Nnebedum Tyshelle Page Tynisha Page Jack Pinto Molly Sell Albert Shija Derek Smith Olivia Stratton Daniel Tedford D'Ericka Thomas Marques Ware

 

What is the United Teens Talent Show?

United Teens Talent is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and is supported by the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation. The Arts Council, in collaboration with Mary Blakely, founder and producer of the program, Gail McElroy, Ben Zylman, Marie Kerstetter and Kathryn Williams and hosts of community volunteers audition, coach and support local youth in preparation for this one of a kind teens talent show. The 20 top acts are selected from week long auditions held at various sites in Kalamazoo County. UTT is open to youth aged 13-19 who live in Kalamazoo County.

The show is an opportunity for students to come together to develop talents, build relationships and cultivate self-esteem. Judges who are professionals in the performing arts field will choose several winning acts and award them cash prizes (as much as $500). Top acts will also receive a professional demo recording.

Once selected to participate in the United Teens Talent Show, students will receive three professional coaching sessions, one at the beginning of the two-week rehearsal process and one at the end of the process. These sessions, which will be designed to help the participants prepare their acts for the talent show, will also help students understand their talents and how they might best be developed.

In addition to the individual acts that the participants will perform in the talent show, all students will be involved in musical numbers that will open and close the show. The two weeks spent rehearsing the music and movement involved in these two numbers will help to create a sense of "team" among the participants. From the very beginning, all participants will be working independently and as a part of something larger than themselves. The show is designed to foster a sense of community and respect among students.
 

 

 

For more Information

Email programs@kalamazooarts.org.

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2011 Winners

1st place - Dasan Mitchell, Magnificent Hanana, Nikia Jackson and Derek Smith

Combining percussion and West African dance, these four talented students who were part of the Maple Street dance program and now attend Loy Norrix High School, brought thunderous cheers from the crowd with their original performance of Till the World Ends

	2nd place - Joriah Fleming Back for his second year as a member of United Teens Talent, Fleming, a 14 year old Loy Norrix High School student wrote and sang and original song, Alive!. In addition to singing and songwriting, Fleming recorded his own accompaniment track for the song.
	3rd place - Holly Jones Making her third appearance in United Teens Talent, Jones choreographed an original dance piece to the song Perfect People. Jones, a Kalamazoo RESA Education for the Arts dance student, will be attending Anderson University this fall majoring in dance.
	4th place - Haylee Cornett and Matt Weddon With music in their blood, 19 year old 2010 Vicksburg High School graduate Haylee Cornett and Vicksburg High School Junior, Matt Weddon say their love of music brought them together for a vocal/piano duet of Turning Tables. Cornett’s goal is to work for a record label after college. Weddon plans to pursue a career as a professional pianist or professor of piano.

UTT Musical Director Marie Kerstetter says, “This year’s group of young people really wanted to learn not just their craft but how to work together. Consequently they developed a small little community. They all reached out to each other. They exhibited such as strong sense of camaraderie. They created their own little family in UTT and I hope they take this back to their schools and friends beyond. At last night’s show, and all throughout, they looked like they were having fun and really cared about each other. They just sparkled. UTT just keeps growing and getting better. ”

Jeffy Awad was also awarded the Shining Star Award for the student that most represents all that United Teens Talent upholds – teamwork, professionalism and integrity.
 

“Every year we have an outstanding group of talented teens who amaze us every day with their passion to perform and their ability to focus not only on their own acts but, as an important member of a very special group," said Mary Blakely, UTT Show creator and producer. Adds Blakely, “From the feedback I received from members of the audience, everyone had their favorites and they were amazed at the amount of talent that was presented. To those of us involved in UTT, all the kids are winners!”
 

The 2011 United Teens Talent company included: Courtney Tulgetske, Keith Cudi, Haylee Cornett, Matt Weddon, Whisper Payne, Cranston Mitchell, Kujuanis Mitchell, Sasha Bigby, Kae Ikari, DJ Prentiss, Jessica Loper, Hailey Burger, Maisie Snyder, Jeffy Awad, Amanda Rocha, Magnificent Hanana, Nikia Jackson, Derek Smith, Dason Mitchell, Joriah Fleming, Alissa Bahr, and Teriah Fleming.

 

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United Teens Talent is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Funding for United Teens Talent is provided by the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation.