NJN HISPANIC YOUTH SHOWCASE 2005

This family-oriented television special highlights the success stories of young performing artists in music, song and dance in the following categories: Juniors 8 to 12 years old, Teens 13 to 17 years old and the new category Kid Dancers, ages 4 to 7. The winners of the competition highlighted in this broadcast are:

KID DANCE CATEGORY
Ashley Palma, Age 7, New Brunswick, NJ - Mexican Folk Dance
Kayla Ortiz, Age 5, Jersey City, NJ – Modern Stupid Cupid

JUNIOR INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY
Caitlin Sanchez, Age 9, North Bergen, NJ - Jazz/Piano
Nicole Ashley Umina, Age 11, Ridgewood, NJ – Classical/Piano

JUNIOR DANCE CATEGORY
Anthony Fania, Age 12, Califon, NJ – Modern Car Wash
Gabriela Vivar, Age 10, North Bergen, NJ – Modern Baby I’m a Star

JUNIOR VOCALS CATEGORY
Liana Ortiz, Age 10, Jersey City, NJ – Over the Rainbow
Edward J. Perry III, Age 11, Cookstown, NJ

TEEN INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY
Alexander Moreta, Age 15, Teaneck, NJ – Classical/Piano
Javier Santos, Age 15, New York City, NY – Classical/Piano

TEEN DANCE CATEGORY
Vanessa Contreras, Age 13, Union City, NJ - Modern
Nicholas Ruiz, Age 15, Old Ridge, NJ - Tap

TEEN VOCALS CATEGORY
Sebastian Garcia, Age 17, Freehold, NJ – Guitar/Vocalist
Carly Chantelle Valentin, Age 15, Belleville, NJ – Quimbara

The 2005 winner of the Marco Rizo Scholarship Award is 17 year old Keilly Enid Burgos of Newark, NJ. For ten years Burgos was an outstanding performer as a contestant and a finalist. Rizo was the music director for Desi Arnaz of the I Love Lucy television show.

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. Past and present participants have appeared in Hollywood movies, Broadway, Star Search, the Apollo, “Sabado Gigante,” international commercials and soap operas. The television broadcast, as well as this year’s competition at NJPAC, will be dedicated to the young stars of the Showcase. These inspiring artists include Aryana Rodriguez, soap actress star on ABC’s All My Children; Jayro Rosado, international singer on Telefutura’s Objetivo Fama; Karina Pasian, recording artist with Quincy Jones; Orlando Hernandez, tap dancer who performed throughout Europe; and Elkys Gonzalez, Regional Dance Champion