MHCC students shine at talent night

More than a dozen acts stepped up to the stage and delivered last Thursday night, at MHCC’s Got Talent 2016 event.

The competition was hosted by Linh Hoang, Student Activities Board receptions coordinator and emceed by Ethan Archer, former ASG member. Contestants had their ‘celebrity moment’ as their pictures were taken at MHCC’s own version of the Academy Awards red carpet.

Nineteen acts competed for the grand prize of a trophy, a $500 Amazon gift card, and a free dinner at Southpark Seafood Restaurant. The winner: a group of four competitive break-dancers who call themselves New Birth Crew.

Claudia Bautista, singing “If I Ain’t Got You,” won the People’s Choice Award voted by the audience members present at the end of the show. Judges gave a special recognition award to Eleonora Kazaryan, who performed a ballet, “Dying Swan.”

The judges panel included Dan Davey, MHCC jazz instructor; Marianne Martini, public speaking instructor; and Jossie Hernandez, ASG director for the SAB.

Jordae Neish, also known as Rubic City, started off the night singing an original pop song titled “Fly,” with instrumentals playing in the background.

Pianist Erika Dizon was second to bat, playing “Elegy of the Soul.” The composer is unknown.

Shae Bedford performed a rendition of “Change is Gonna Come,” by Sam Cooke, in honor of Black History Month. She played the guitar as she sang.

Kasandra Bosch sang “Where is the Love” by the Black Eyed Peas, under colorful spotlights.

Kazaryan danced the “Dying Swan” in her ballet performance. She eloquently told a story as if she were a dying swan herself, going through the final stages of its life. She spent most of the ballet on her toes, with her arms slowly flapping mimicking the gestures of a swan. Her final moves were jerking her arms like wings and ending her performance by curling into a fetal position.

Melissa Homewood performed “Gavotte,” noted violinist Shinichi Suzuki’s rendition of the classic German piece, written by Bach.

New Birth Crew broke the tranquil atmosphere with their freestyle breaking, which ended as the top winning performance. New Birth Crew (NBC) has been performing for seven years and released YouTube videos called “Breaking in the Gorge.”

Kymon Robbs, lead singer in the group KJR Soulsters, sang “Home” with passion. Jessica Ramirez sang a Spanish ballad, “Tuyo,” accompanied by a guitarist.

Rapper Victoria Cowal free-styled her own lyrics, stalling between bars only once during a long run of unique metaphors.

Brittany Cowels performed “Holy Water” by Big & Rich.

Zoe Russell sang a cover of “Black Pearl” by Sonny Charles & The Checkmates,  also to honor Black History Month.

Baustista’s version of “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys, was a big favorite and cinched the People’s Choice Award.

MIkesh Thapa played an original song he called a “classic medley” but has no formal title.

Sydney Lavoie performed “Drop-pop Candy” and brought some sass into it. Estrella Neish sang “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran. Her performance started off sweet and elegant and got more powerful as she continued.

ASG senator Anh Nguyen sang a Vietnamese love song, “Sau Tất Cả” or “After All”.

Rap duo Knight, featuring Rainshine Heffner and Tyler Cloningner, perfomed a freestyle number they made up on the spot. Their witty lines brought laughter from the crowd, and the judges noted how fast they were able to rap.

Singer-songwriter Penny Grand ended the talent show with an all-acoustic original song, “Hand-in-Hand.”

Advocate Staff