POND ISLAND:--- All finalists are now in place for TelCell's groundbreaking talent show contest, "Breakthrough" at the Casino Royale, Maho, September 27th.
The final auditions for the show were held at the Culture Center Backstreet, Saturday, featuring a number of talented youth who came out to strut their stuff, some by literally walking off the street.
The auditions ended with judges naming the final 25 contestants aged between 12 years and 21 years, who will be taking part in the vocals, instrument, rap and dance and beat boxing categories.
Amongst the finalsts are: Rumari Rogers, Michelle Sullivan, Paul Brown, Stefano Maietti, Dylan Joseph, Brandon Potmis, Tommy Lee Busby, Rijkman Hodge, Tristan Defoe, Generation New Status (GNS STM), Tevin Williams, Renaldo Connor Jr., Angelica Brown, Quan Gordon, Arias-4, Latanisha Jasaron, Yash Daryani,
Sabrina Gourdet, Adriano Lake, Deveny Elferink, Serenity Martinus, Sha-Neisha Gijsbertha, Sinatra Bauld, Joey Erato and Zack Phipps.
There will be more performers competing this year compared to last year, when contestants took part in the staging of the very first TelCell Breakthrough event.
"This shows how much the youth of the island believe in TelCell Breakthrough and its potential to help them realize their dreams of being in the entertainment spotlight," said event coordinator, Angel Richardson.
Ms. Richardson congratulated all the contestants named to the finals and also thanked everyone who appeared on stage for the auditions over two weekends.
"There was an amazing amount of talent on stage and I can honestly say that the judges had a very difficult time selecting the finalists from the range of talent and acts that came before them," said Ms. Richardson.
She said members of the public will be able to witness the auditions for themselves when they are aired on St. Maarten Cable TV by AVS Production Studios on a date still to be announced. Members of the public will also be able to track the progress of the event all the way up to the finals by following TelCell on Facebook.
"People will be amazed at the talent when they see the recordings" assures Ms. Richardson.
One of those already impressed is TelEm Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mrs. Helma Etnel, who attended last Saturday's auditions and witnessed some "fantastic" performances from St. Maarten youth.
"I was amazed by the energy, talent and enthusiasm of these young performers who just wanted to do their thing," said Mrs. Etnel.
She said when the company set out to organize the TelCell Breakthough event for the first time last year, it was all about interacting with the youth and giving them a stage to showcase their talent.
"I am very pleased that this goal has been achieved and has in fact far exceeded all our expectations with such a positive result and effect on our young people," said Mrs. Etnel.
The event organizers will now be busy preparing for the staging of the finals including the launch of an SMS campaign in the coming weeks through which members of the public will be able to send an SMS message voting for their favourite performer.
"I want to thank the judges for doing a very difficult job, the volunteers, all those who auditioned, AVS Production Studio and the co-organizer of the event, Berteaux "Mr. Rude" Fleming of Xtratight Entertainment, who has once again been outstanding," said Ms. Richardson.
TELEM Press Release