Sophomore twins Marcos and Maya Hernandez perform a polka from Chihuahua to the song “La Furia del Rio Bravo” by Los Villalobos at the Elgin High School talent show on Feb. 4. They finished in first place at the show and qualified for the U-46 TalentFest on March 10.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Talented high school students from Elgin Area School District U-46 will get to showcase their skills at the 15th annual TalentFest on Tuesday, March 10.
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.
TalentFest begins at 7 p.m. at the Hemmens Auditorium, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin.
Maddie Martin performs Radiohead’s song “Creep” during the South Elgin High School talent show Jan. 16. Martin took first place and qualified for the U-46 TalentFest competition on March 10.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
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.
VPPA Dance Academy perform at the Larkin High School talent show on Jan. 22. VPPA won the Larkin talent show and qualified for the U-46 TalentFest. VPPA members include Emily O’Hearn, Mia Satterfield, Cayle Johnson, London Fitch, Noah Cruz, Naomi Robinson, Makenna Bryant, Juliette Garcia and Sam Dienelt.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
“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 will be Velma Sept, board member of the U-46 Educational Foundation; Mark Lane, commissioner with the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission; and Jaimie Giraldo, Coordinator of Fine Arts in U-46. The emcee will be David Hunter of GreenRoom Improv.
Jocelyn Nunez sings “Clockwork” by Laufey at the Streamwood High School Talent Fest on Jan. 29. She will be performing at the March 10 TalentFest at the Hemmens.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Tickets for TalentFest 2026 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.
Shed Your Skin, featuring Lucas Guerra, left, and Delilah Terry, perform “Bleed American” by Jimmy Eat World during the Bartlett talent show Feb. 18. The duo will represent the school during the 2026 U-46 TalentFest at the Hemmens on March 10.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Follow facebook.com/talentfestu46/.
The band Haphazard, with James Griffin on guitar, Andrew Llamas on bass, Neda Bazys on saxophone and Michael Nowakowski on drums, perform Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” during the Bartlett Talent Show on Feb. 18. Haphazard will represent the school at the 2026 U-46 TalentFest March 10.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Michelle O'Hearn performs “No Good Deed” during the South Elgin High School talent show on Jan. 16. O’Hearn was runner-up at the South Elgin show and qualified for the U-46 TalentFest competition on March 10.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Seniors Ariana Lopez, Oscar Villatoro and Adrian Rivera, aka A.O.A., perform “Gnarly” and “Debut” by Katseye at the Elgin High School talent show Feb. 4. A.O.A. finished in second place at the show and qualified for the U-46 TalentFest.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Junior Jesse Martinez sings “Dead Mom” from “Beetlejuice” at the Larkin High School talent show Jan. 22. Martinez was runner-up in the Larkin talent show and qualified for the U-46 TalentFest on March 10.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras
Euphoric, with Sebastian Delgado, Christian Diaz, Efrain Diaz, Jose Reyes and Geraldo Vhadir Esparza, perform “Roommates” by Malcolm Todd at the Streamwood High School talent show on Jan. 29.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras