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NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase 2009
The show was marvelous, very professionally done and extremely entertaining.
– Victoria Anderson
Many thanks for producing such a great show – it was, once again, a very entertaining evening.
– Cathy Roman
We loved the show. It was a very tough competition.
– Yenny Lopez
On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the sold out New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Victoria Theater became a venue of standing ovations as some of the best Latino performers from New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Illinois brought their exceptional talent to new levels of excitement. Led by cheers, thundering applauses and a salsa cowbell, the sounds of jubilee adorned an evening of wonderful performances that concluded with tears of joy, hopeful promises and dreams come true. Youngsters 4 to 17 years old showcased their talent in colorful folkloric outfits representing their ancestors of European, South American, Caribbean, African and American heritage. Soloists, duos, trios and group dancers took the stage and dazzled the audience with choreography to salsa, ballet, modern, Broadway tunes, hip hop and traditional songs. Instrumentalists and vocalists, dressed in elegant gowns, captured the essence of first class competitive entertainment with engaging displays of vocal skills and mastery on the ivory piano keys. The high level of competition made the decision-making process intensely difficult for the distinguished panel of professional judges, music educators and international dancers in selecting the winners. The young competitors were also motivated by scholarships in honor of superstars Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Cuban Pete, Rita Moreno and international ballet star, Beatriz Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who attended the competition, marveled at the exceptional talent she witnessed and felt proud to have her name associated with the NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase.
Celebrating its 23rd anniversary, NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase opened with a tribute to Broadway legend Chita Rivera by Liana Ortiz, a former Showcase winner who performed with Chita Rivera in the story of Chita Rivera on Broadway. Joining Liana Ortiz was three-time Showcase winner Allison Trujillo Strong who is on her way to Broadway in the musical production of “Bye Bye Birdie.” Allison presented a scholarship to exceptional student and past champion Jennifer Rodriguez. The evening performances began with a wonderful hip hop number prepared by special guests representatives from the County College of Morris, the two-year college that won the national dance championships in Hawaii in 2007. Seven-year old former dance champion Misha Seo, from the film Terminator, presented them with an exceptional accomplishment award for their 2009 performance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The 2008 Grammy award nominee, Karina Pasian, a young recording star who sings in seven languages, dedicated a song to the participants and received the Joseph F. Unanue Outstanding Showcase Alumni Award from Goya Foods’ public relations director Rafael Toro.
The NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase 2008 is made possible by The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the United Way of Essex and West Hudson, PSEG, Goya Foods, Inc., the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and Six Flags Great Adventure. Willie Sanchez is the Executive Producer.
AND THE WINNERS FOR 2009 ARE:
KIDS’ DANCE CATEGORY (Ages 4 to 7)
Beatriz Rodriguez Scholarship Award
KIMBERLY OTAYZA Age 7 Kearny, NJ Heritage: Puerto Rico/Peru
“My performance is dedicated to my grandparents.”
WALTER VILLA Age 7 Ridgewood, New York Heritage: Peru
“I want to be a champion on NJN and become a professional dancer”
TEEN GROUP DANCE CATEGORY (Ages 13 to 17)
Rita Moreno Schalorship Award
PASSAIC COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, Passaic, NJ
Modern Dance “Company Store”
JUNIOR INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY (Ages 8 to 12)
Tito Puente Scholarship Award
MICHAEL JOHN SANTANA Age 12 Elizabeth, NJ Heritage: Cuba
“My mom’s piano students have participated and won. I am proud to do the same.”
MATHEW VERYCKEN Age 8 Bogota, New Jersey Heritage: Cuba
“When I grow, maybe I can be President of the United States.”
DUO/TRIO DANCE CATEGORY (Ages 13 to 17)
Cuban Pete Scholarship Award
ZUANNETTE SERRANO Age 15 Elizabeth, NJ Heritage: Puerto Rico
& KAYLA TORRES Age 15 Passaic, NJ Heritage: Puerto Rico
Performed an Afro-Cuban dance tribute
JUNIOR VOCALS CATEGORY (Ages 8 to 12)
Celia Cruz Scholarship Award
THAMYRUS ALMEIDA Age 12, Newark, NJ Heritage: Brazil
“The Showcase is my next step into following my dream.”
DANIELA GARCIA Age 7, North Bergen, NJ Heritage: Spain & Colombia
“I dedicated my performance to mom and dad.”
TEEN DANCE CATEGORY (Ages 13 to 17)
Beatriz Rodriguez Scholarship Award
MICHELLE GONZALEZ Age 16 West New York, NJ Heritage: Dominican Republic
“I want to be successful and live a happy and healthy life.’
DIANA OSORIO Age 17 Belleville, NJ Heritage: Colombian / Puerto Rican
“My dream is to fine true happiness and teach children dance and its history.”
TEEN VOCALS CATEGORY (Ages 13 to 17)
Celia Cruz Scholarship Award
LORENA AGUILAR Age 16 Philadelphia, Penn. Heritage: Costa Rica/Puerto Rico
“I dedicate my performance to my family and friends who motivate me to sing.”
JUSTIN BARROSO Age 13 Cliffside Park, NJ Heritage: Cuba/Puerto Rico
“I want to be as successful as I can be”
JUNIOR DANCE CATEGORY (Ages 8 to 12)
Beatriz Rodriguez Scholarship Award
JAELA GARCIA Age 9 West New York, NJ Heritage: Honduras
“I want to dance all over the world.”
KAYLA ORTIZ Age 9 West New York, NJ Heritage: Domincan Republic/ Puerto Rico
“I want to become a professional dancer.”
NOELIA OTAYZA Age 11 Kearny, NJ Heritage: Peru / Puerto Rico
“Winning this Showcase is a special gift.”
TEEN INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY (Ages 13 to 17)
Tito Puente Scholarship Award
REBECCA RABELO Age 14 Glen Rock, NJ Heritage: Cuba / Puerto Rico
“I want my hared work to be recognized.”
BRANDON SEGOVIA Age 16 Brookfield, Illinois Heritage: Puerto Rico
“I want to share my passion and talent and hopefully impact people in a positive way”
JUNIOR DANCE PARTNER CATEGORY (Ages 8 to 12)
Cuban Pete Scholarship Award
SAMANTHA CALDERON Age 11 Paterson, NJ Heritage: Peru
& JOVAN POGGI Age 11 West Paterson, NJ Heritage: Peru
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