HAM’s Got Talent! ‘09 This year’s Academy talent show was held in June. The inter-faculty format was dropped in favour of open entry which encouraged more students to enter with their friends. Following a heavy audition process with nearly 30 acts entering, 13 variety groups were selected to perform at the semi finals. Acts ranged from street dance to beat-boxing, musical theatre to cheer dancing, performance poetry to samba drums.
Cross Federation
Talent Tour Our winner and 2 runners up represented Harris Academy Merton in the inter-academy competition on the evening of July 11th. Competing against another 18 first class acts the competition was strong. The audience voted Gabriella through to the second round where she performed her second song choice. To the joy and the pride of the Merton students, parents and staff who had come to support the acts, she was then crowned the winner!
This year’s judges were the Principal, Mr Halpin, the Communications Faculty Governor, Ms Saunders and ex-head girl, Maria Kolandawel who currently attends the Brit School as a performing arts student. The competition overall was tight with impressive and professional performances from all of the competitors – the audience and the staff supporting the event were split over their own favourites.
It is official! HAM has got talent and Gabi has got it in abundance! Here’s to another strong competition for next year… Ms H Wilson, Co-ordinator Performing and Expressive Arts
These are the overall results:
Runners Up
The Winner
The Harris Angels: Chloe Walker, Sophie Conway, Leonie Stringer, Michele Sebele, Rhiann Campbell, Shandeyce Eubank-Mitchell, Paige Crone, Jiffa Hawkins, Rachel Koranteng, Demisha Donkor, Amber Scott-Mills, Bana Hamed, Cecilia Tran, Jade Shaw
This year’s winner of the HAM’s Got Talent shield and £100 cheque was Gabriella Santacroce. Her solo performance of Beyonce’s version of ‘Ave Maria’ was a clear favourite for the judges and the audience. As part of her prize she also received a one hour singing workshop with Kelle Bryan, formerly of Eternal. Kelle was very impressed with Gabi’s maturity, commitment and clear talent and said she would be excited to see her “auditioning for national competitions in the next few years!”. Gabi found the session very “helpful” and enjoyed working with, and getting tips from, a seasoned professional.
The Samba band: Shemar Stephenson, Duquarne Edwards, Omar Gofur, Adam Bernardo, Mohamed Ahmed, Elijah Bowen, Terry Dadzie, Adrian Scantlebury (& Mr Wilmot!)
www.harrismerton.org.uk
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