RitzKidz Winners (l to r): Kloe Mallard, Julianna Reyes, Elizabeth Riley, Daniel Carela and Amber Neilson.
By Kristen Cronin, Safe Harbors of the Hudson
If you’re looking for talent, try inviting a couple of dozen kids to show you what they’ve got, and judging by the action last Sunday at the Ritz Theatre, they’ve got a lot.
The 2nd Annual RitzKidz “Newburgh’s Got Talent!” show featured 22 students from Newburgh public and private schools. The young performers took to the stage with acts that ranged from traditional singing to rap performances and included some cool dance steps and violin solos.
The excitement was overwhelming as the winners were announced.
Sergio Valentin, a local artist, served as emcee for the show and the performers he introduced blew away the audience -and judges – with their extraordinary range and infectious enthusiasm. Judges included notable Newburgh arts supporters James Beard, a Professor of Communication Arts at Mount Saint Mary College, Natasha Cotton, founder of Mass of One Entertainment, Jen Soloway, the executive director, of the Railroad Playhouse, Kevin White, the executive director of the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy, and Bill Yost, the former director of Cultural Affairs at West Point.
When the judges made their final decisions, a performing duo, Julianna Reyes and Kloe Mallard, took first place; Amber Neilson took second and Elizabeth Riley and Daniel Carela tied for third place.
The other performers also received a lot applause and, perhaps more importantly, a place where their talents are recognized.
Every performer is a winner, just by taking part.
After the show, Ritz Theater executive director, Tricia Haggerty Wenz, remarked, “RitzKidz is a great opportunity to help promote what is good about our community — our youth. Seeing the kids on stage singing, dancing and sharing their gifts makes me hopeful about the future of the city of Newburgh.”
Talent show participants included:
Briana Bené-Espinal
Camile Cappello
Daniel Carela
Frances Jaca
Janelle Lawrence
Corinna Little
Jeremy Maldonado
Matthew Maldonado
Kloe Mallard
Milan Melendez
Jimmy Mercado
Veronica Moody
Keeana “KeKe” Moore
Heather Neto
Jada Oglesby
Jamila Oglesby
Jamilee Oglesby
Becky Pierri
Julianna Reyes
Elizabeth Riley
Mei Ling Sabater
Souljira Wilson
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