STATEWIDE – The finalists for the NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase 2004 will compete at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Victoria Theater on May 28th at 7 pm.  Forty representatives from New York and New Jersey will take the stage in one of the most highly acclaimed talent search competitions in the tri-state area.

The talented hopefuls will test their vocal chords, dance moves and instrumental training in the following categories: juniors 8 to 12 years old, teens 13 to 17 years of age and the new category kid dancers ages 4 to 7. Two winners will be selected in each category of dance, vocals and instrumentals. They will compete for $500 scholarships in honor of the King of Latin Music, Tito Puente; the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz; and the international dance star, Beatriz Rodriguez.

Months of screening numerous videotapes and holding standing-room-only auditions in Camden and Newark were necessary to select this talented group of young stars. On this one night, fourteen winners will go home with scholarships to pursue their dreams, a free trip to Six Flags Great Adventure and much more.

NJN will air a television special honoring the Showcase champions during the summer of 2004. The television broadcast, as well as this year’s competition at NJPAC, will be dedicated to the memory of the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz.

The NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase is the longest running Latino children’s program on PBS. It has received an Emmy Award and multiple Emmy nominations. The national Arts Council Co-op has selected the program as one of the top six children’s programs in the nation. Past and present participants have appeared in Hollywood movies, Broadway, Star Search, the Apollo, “Sabado Gigante” and international commercials.

Finalists for 2004 (in order of appearance at NJPAC):

TEEN INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY (A to Z)

• 1. Tiffany Gomez, Age 15 , Union City, NJ
  “I am proud. Win or lose, I have gained an experience and I have gained courage. I still really want to win.”
• 2. Khristian Ospina, Age 15, Elizabeth, NJ
  “I dedicate my performance to my family and piano teachers. They have taken the time to help me succeed in life.”
• 3. Bryan Pasian, Age 13, New York, NY
  “My dream in life is to be an animator or a music conductor.”
• 4. Veronica Rabelo, Age 14, Glen Rock, NJ
  “I hope to become a psychologist who reaches out to children through the arts.”
• 5. David Rivera, Age 17, Camden, NJ
  “I want to make it big, as a drummer, with the help of my Lord Jesus Christ.”
• 6. Christian Veliz, Age 15, Elizabeth, NJ
  “I dedicate my performance to the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, who passed away last year.”
  

JUNIOR DANCE CATEGORY

• 1. Sarah Bambino, Age 9, West New York, NJ
  “I am honored to have the opportunity to compete again.”
• 2. Omarys Casado, Age 9, West New York, NJ
  “Reaching the finals in this competition tells me that dreams do come true.”
• 3. Vanessa Contreras, Age 12, Union City, NJ
  “If I win, it means that I am one of the best dancers in the state of New Jersey.”
• 4. Natali Cruz, Age 9, Ridgefield Park, NJ
  “My dedication, discipline and hard work paid off.”
• 5. Bianca Diaz, Age 10, Union City, NJ
  “My dream in life is to be a teacher.”
• 6. Andrea Garcia, Age 11, West New York, NJ
  “Since it has always been a dream of mine to be on NJN, now I know I have a chance of winning in any other audition.”
• 7. Clarimar Pesante, Age 8, Newark, NJ
  “ Salsa and Plena are two styles of music I love.”
  

TEEN VOCAL CATEGORY

• 1. Neysha Alvarez, Age 13, Perlin, NJ
  “I want to be a professional singer, actress and director of movies as well as an inspirational role model to girls my age.”
• 2. Angel Castillo, Age 13, Newark, NJ
  “I dedicate my performance to my family.”
• 3. Nicole Ortiz, Age 15, Union City, NJ
  “My performance is dedicated to my mother.”
• 4. Allison Trujillo Strong, Age 13, Union City, NJ
  “My dream is to be on Broadway one day.”
• 5. Carly Chantelle Valentin, Age 13, Belleville, NJ
  “I just want to be a respectable member of society.”
• 6. Angelica Vidal, Age 15, Newark, NJ
  “I reached the finals because I worked as hard as I could and tried my best.”

KID DANCE CATEGORY (4 to 7)

• 1. Amy Bayona, Age 5, Paterson, NJ
  “Dedicated to my family.”
• 2. Xadier Pesante, Age 6, Newark, NJ
  “I love what I do.”
• 3. Ashly Rodriguez, Age 6, Englewood, NJ
  “I love to dance.”
• 4. Alejandra Urgiles, Age 5, Newark, NJ
  “My dream is to become a dancer.”

JUNIOR INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY

• 1. Oksana Pasian, Age 8, New York, NY
  “I love to play the piano.”
• 2. Veronica Paulino, Age 11, New York City, NY
  “My dream in life is to become a chemist.”
• 3. Dana Ramirez, Age 9, Teterboro, NJ
  “I want to be a famous star, a great composer and make a difference in life.”
• 4. Denise Ramirez, Age 11, Teterboro, NJ
  “I want to be good musician and a teacher.”
• 5. Nicole Umina, Age 10, Ridgewood, NJ
  “I want to be a scientist and discover the fountain of youth.”
  

TEEN DANCE CATEGORY

• 1. Shakira Barrera, Age 13, Englewood, NJ
  “ I love Salsa.”
• 2. Amanda Marie Batista, Age 13, Wallington, NJ
  “I want to take my dancing ability as far as possible.”
• 3. Grisela Feliciano, Age 15, Camden, NJ
  “I hope doors of opportunity will open for me.”
• 4. Jessica Garcia, Age 16, North Bergen, NJ
  “The crowd, the lights, the enthusiasm and inner rush will allow me to dance to my fullest potential.”
• 5. Sasha Herrera, Age 16, West New York, NJ
  “I worry about this generation. They are not enjoying their childhood. Everyone is trying to grow up too fast. Winning would give me a lot hope for the future.”
• 6. Alesy Gloria Ortiz, Age 16, North Bergen, NJ
  Heritage: Puerto Rican/Cuban
  “I want to become a dancer/choreographer on Broadway.”
  
• JUNIOR VOCAL CATEGORY
  
  1. Parris Nicole Cisco, Age 11, Park Ridge, NJ
  “I dedicate my performance to my dad. He brings me to my lessons and waits for hours in the car just so that I get a chance to perform and do what makes me happy.”
• 2. Liana Ortiz, Age 9, Jersey City, NJ
  “All the days and nights of rehearsing finally paid off.”
• 3. Alicia Morejon, Age 9, Union City, NJ
  “I have worked very hard . . . I worry that older people in this world, like my grandmother and great aunt, will not have enough money to pay for medicine and doctor bills.”
• 4. Daniel Murillo Sanz, Age 12, Union City, NJ
  “I dedicate my performance to the public and all who love Salsa.”
• 5. Blaine Morris, Age 11, Secaucus, NJ
  “Making it to finals means that I have great potential to go on to bigger things.”
• 6. Edward J. Perry, III, Age 11, Cookstown, NJ
  “I want to become the greatest dancer and singer in the world.”

The NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase is made possible by the following sponsors:

* Public Service Electric & Gas
* PNC Bank
* The New Jersey State Council on the Arts
* The United Way of Essex and West Hudson
* Goya Foods, Inc.
* New Jersey Performing Arts Center
* Six Flags Great Adventure

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