Singer Natalia Melandez, a senior at Streamwood High School, will be moving on to perform at TalentFest 2019 at the Hemmens.
Courtesy of Dave Tonge
Elgin Area School District U-46's talented high schoolers will get to showcase their skills at the ninth annual TalentFest next Tuesday, March 12, on the Hemmens Cultural Center Main Stage.
The contest features 10 acts, made up of two finalists chosen from each of the five district high schools - Bartlett, Elgin, Larkin, South Elgin and Streamwood. After these 10 final 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.
Winners receive a cash prize as well as a commemorative plaque. In addition, the school whose acts receive the most total votes during intermission will be awarded the traveling TalentFest Trophy. Last year's winners were from Larkin 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 winner as they appreciate the talent of our students."
This year's TalentFest will also feature a performance from Mariachi Joya Dorada de U-46, directed by U-46's Fine Arts Coordinator Jaimie Giraldo. The mariachi ensemble has grown each year since it formed in 2009 and is made up of students from Elgin High School, Canton Middle School, Ellis Middle School, Larsen Middle School, and Tefft Middle School.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 event are $5 and can be purchased through the Hemmens online box office, 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.
This year's celebrity judges are Bud Wilson, chairman of the U-46 Educational Foundation; Jaimie Giraldo, U-46 Fine Arts Coordinator; and Warren Anderson, director of the Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts at Judson University.
The acts this year include a vocal duo and dance duo from Larkin High, a vocalist and a drummer from Streamwood High, two vocalists from Bartlett High, a rock band and classical guitar duo from Elgin High, and a vocal/guitarist and vocalist from South Elgin High.
Junior Travis Beer shows emotion after playing the drums at the recent Streamwood High School talent show. He told the audience that his brother, who died in a motorcycle crash last year, had purchased the drum kit for Travis. Travis played to the song "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa. He will perform at the districtwide TalentFest.
Courtesy of Dave Tonge
This five-member band from Elgin High School named S Therory will perform at TalentFest at the Hemmens after winning at their own school talent show that had 14 acts. Members, from left, are Caleb Zamecnik, Jean Mann, Isabella Hernandez, Taylor Robery on drums and Adan Villa.
Courtesy of Dave Tonge
Elgin High School seniors Rigo Rodriguez, left, and Adan Villa will move on to TalentFest. This marks their fourth consecutive EHS talent show appearance. They were also one of the top two acts from the last two years to advance to the U-46 show at the Hemmens.
Courtesy of Dave Tonge
Shawna Ribano, a junior at South Elgin High School, will perform at TalentFest 2019 at the Hemmens.
Courtesy of Dave Tonge
Kiersten Larsen, a senior at South Elgin High School, won the school's talent show and will move on to TalentFest 2019 at the Hemmens in Elgin.
Courtesy of Dave Tonge
First-place finisher Julianne Merza sings at the Bartlett High School Talent Show. Merza will be one of the two acts representing BHS at the 2019 TalentFest competition.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras/JohnKonPhoto.com
Second-place finisher Gauri Yadav sings at the Bartlett High School Talent Show. Yadav will be one of the two acts representing BHS at the 2019 TalentFest competition.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras/JohnKonPhoto.com
Jennifer Villagran, freshman from Larkin, and Getsemani Aguirre, freshman from Hoffman Estates High School, dance to the traditional folk song "Jesusita en Chihuahua" during the Larkin High School Talent Showcase on Feb. 6. Villagran and Getsemani will be one of the two acts representing Larkin at the 2019 TalentFest competition at the Hemmens.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras/JohnKonPhoto.com
Casandra Valdes, junior, and Eliana Bermudez, senior, perform at the Larkin High School Talent Showcase. They will be one of the two acts representing Larkin at the 2019 TalentFest competition at the Hemmens.
Courtesy of John Konstantaras/JohnKonPhoto.com