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Kids Talent Reigns Supreme at Topanga Youth Services Show
PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Lila Kunkle was endearingly quirky as she sang, “I Speak 6 Languages.” PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Mikayla Williams, accompanied by Kevin Williams, could really hit the impossibly high notes in Aha’s "Take on Me." PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Honor Lucia Rodan sweetly sang Allison Gray’s “Off my Mind.” PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Not only did the huge ensemble, Young Coconuts, play ukuleles for their rendition of Vance Joy’s “Riptide” but they sang in perfect harmony.” PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Delightful diva Aurora Finetti sang “The Greatest Star” from Funny Girl. PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Pictures don’t do justice to Zane Wnuck’s spinning illuminated Flow Staff. PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Paria Grether poured her heart into John Legend’s “All of Me." PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Marley Rose performed a poignant dance routine to Adele’s “Someone Like You.” PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 It you didn’t dance around when The Coyotes of Topanga played Kiss’ “I Wanna Rock n’ Roll” maybe you needed to check your pulse. PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 The Gage Brothers were a triple threat for their rendition of “Wabash Cannonball."
PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Sami Ferra sang Tori Kelly’s “Confetti” so sweetly. PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Slater Anton played an original tribal piece, “Evening Breeze." PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Marleigh Ippolito sings "Fight Song." PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Levko Fedorowycz brought a little classical flavor to the show with Concerto in G Major, Op. 34 by O. Reiding. PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Adorable Nora Lee, accompanied by Matt Young sang “Right Now” by Sabrina Carpenter.
PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Leela Ladnier sang “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” from Footloose with infectious enthusiasm and style. PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Mr. Noh (Nico Savaro) played the original song, “The Sting” about misadventures with an insect or possibly romance gone wrong. PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Dora Liisa Meriste sang such an incredible version of current chart-topper “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon that it was hard to stay in your seat. PHOTO BY KATIE DALSEMER MESSENGER © 2015 Valentina Silardi sang “Georgia On My Mind” with such soul and finesse it would have made Ray Charles proud.
With a packed and appreciative audience at the Community House on Saturday, October 17, the 2015 Topanga Talent Show was a hit with kids and adults alike.
Presented by Topanga Youth Services and directed by Karen Cooke, the show was emceed by the young
While all acts were welcome, music was the main theme with impressive performances from the Coyotes of Topangas Rock n Roll to Folk, Pop, Country, original compositions and even a ukulele band.
To add variety, there were the young dancers from Melanie Kareems Middle Eastern Dance School and Zane Wnuck spun magic with a flow staff.
Once again, the annual show was a testament to how accomplished and brave many kids are in the Canyon to show up and perform like champs.
The talent was really strong this year, Cooke said. It was a nice mix of ages and skills; there were a few kids who returned and many new people. All of them were successful.
In addition to the kids, Cooke wanted to give a shout out to the parent volunteers who made the show possible: Jenni Billings, Rhonda Conry, Peer Anton, Karen Seeberg, Kelly Constantine, Kamakshi Hart, Lorelei Leary, Claire Chapman, Jill Williams, Dan Ubick, Murray Shaw, Neil Shaw, Tom Mitchell and Donna Fedenko Fedorowycz.
For next years show, Cooke is taking suggestions from the kids on her TYS Facebook page and at their website: www.topangayouthservices.org.