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.

Results of the 2009 NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase

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.