Dipper Green performs “Just a Friend to You” by Megan Trainor during the Larkin High School Talent Showcase on Jan. 30 in Elgin. Green is one of the top two finishers and advances to the Elgin Area School District U-46 TalentFest competition on March 5 at the Hemmens Auditorium in Elgin.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Elgin Area School District U-46's talented high schoolers will get to showcase their skills at the 13th annual TalentFest at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, on the main stage at The Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.
The contest features 10 acts made up of two finalists chosen from each of the five district high schools: Bartlett, Streamwood, South Elgin, Elgin and Larkin. After these 10 acts perform the audience will vote for their favorites.
The top five acts advance to the second phase of the night where they will perform again. A panel of judges will select the first, second and third place winners. In addition, the school whose two acts receive the most total audience votes during intermission will be awarded the traveling TalentFest Trophy. Last year's winner of that trophy was Elgin High School.
“Each year, TalentFest provides an opportunity for the creativity of our high schoolers to be showcased on a professional stage in front of family, friends, peers, and community members,” said TalentFest coordinator Jeff Grosser.
“It's always a fun night for the audience because they can be a part of determining the winners as well as appreciate the talents of our students.”
This year's celebrity judges are Jean Bednar, executive director of the U-46 Educational Foundation; Michael Novelli, member of the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission; and Jaimie Giraldo, coordinator of Fine Arts in U-46. The emcee is Angrous Jeffries.
Tickets for TalentFest 2024 are $5 and can be purchased online at Hemmens.org, by phone at (847) 931-5900, or at the door. TalentFest is made possible with the support of the U-46 Educational Foundation and the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission.
Ruben Fuentes, Max Lucas and Brian Rodriguez perform “Numb, but I Still Feel It” and “Leaf” by Title Fight during the Larkin High School Talent Showcase on Jan. 30 in Elgin. The group is one of the top two finishers and advances to the District U-46 TalentFest competition on March 5 at the Hemmens in Elgin.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Senior Isabella Huynh and junior Colin Fredricks perform a dance routine at the South Elgin High School Talent Show Feb. 9. The duo finished in first place and advances to the district TalentFest competition on March 5.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Dominic Mozdzen performs “Interstellar” by Hans Zimmer on the piano at the South Elgin High School Talent Show Feb. 9. Mozdzen finishes in second place and advances to the district TalentFest competition on March 5 at the Hemmens in Elgin.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Junior Sarah Ballenger sings “I Have a Dream” from Mama Mia! at the Streamwood High School Talentfest on Jan. 25 in Streamwood. She was one of the top two finishers and will advance to the March 5 districtwide TalentFest at the Hemmens in Elgin.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Giovanni Ledesma, Siri Fredo and Julian Rodriguez perform “Intro” by Junior H at the Streamwood High School Talent Fest on Jan. 25 in Streamwood. The trio of freshmen are one of the top two finishers and advance to the district TalentFest competition on March 5 at the Hemmens in Elgin.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Victoria Smutek sings “She Used to Be Mine” by Sara Bareilles during the Bartlett High School Talent Show on Feb. 15 in Bartlett. Smutek finished in first place and advances to the district TalentFest competition on March 5 at the Hemmens in Elgin.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Lana Dadabo plays the piano at the Bartlett High School Talent Show on Feb. 15. Dadabo finished in second place and will compete in the districtwide TalentFest on March 5 in Elgin.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Sebastian Siwiec performs Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” on the piano at the Elgin High School Talent Show Feb. 8. Siwiec took first place and advances to the district TalentFest competition.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Junior Joel Martinez dances to “Up” by Cardi B at the Elgin High School Talent Show on Feb. 8 in Elgin. Martinez was one of the top finishers and advances to the district TalentFest competition on March 5 at the Hemmens in Elgin.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras