AEGT/ DISCOVER DRESSAGE FIRST LIVE AUDITION
Young performers ruled the night
Wellington, FL – February,11th, 2019 – Master of Ceremonies, Robert Dover, USA SIX TIME DRESSAGE OLYMPIAN kicked off the American Equestrian Got Talent Live Auditions on February 6, 2019 at Romeos.
The Equestrian Community of Wellington left aside their horse duties and enjoyed a wonderful night gathering the first AEGT Live Auditions. Age is certainly not an obstacle for the eight and were judge by Wellington’s very own Celebrity Judges;
Ashley Holzer: USA Grand Prix dressage rider, Kimberly Van Kampen, Founder of Discover Dressage, Roxanne Stein, former WPTV morning anchor, and Chip McKenney, founder of Gay Polo, served as judges for the evening.
A total of eight talented competitors were in the first round of the competition. They included Tayla Davis, Alyssa Marie Coon, Chelsea Hellman, Brandon Olavarria, Nadège Nightingale, Emily Schecter, Monica Canedo & Luciano.
The top five moved on to a second round, as determined by the judges. Nadège, Chelsea, Alyssa, Monica and Brandon progressed to the second phase. The final top three: Chelsea, Brandon and Monica were awarded with the Golden Ticket which sends the contestants on to the $10,000 Grand Finale on March 17, 2019 at the Adequan Global Dressage VIP tent located in Wellington,Florida.
Chelsea Hellman : New Kid on the Broadway Block
Chelsea’s initial performance set the room on fire with her version of Barbara Streisand song, "Don’t Rain On My Parade" when she transported us all to Broadway. For her second performance, “Never Enough” from Loren Allred (The Greatest Showman), Chelsea showed her incredible vocal range. Her performance was mind- blowing, the audience was awe-struck and their cheers and applauds culminated into an enormous standing ovation.
After Chelsea’s second song, Chip commented, “You should be Miss Broadway. You rocked it, performed it, and delivered it like you did, I swear you this is your destiny. The world is waiting for you, you are amazing”.
Fellow judge Ashley Holzer said she was blown away and told the singer: "You are unbelievable. You are destined for Broadway, you are perfect there, you fit there. That was thrilling and entertaining”
Brandon Olavarria: the one and only poet in Wellington
Brandon Olavarria is not a stranger, to AEGT, in 2017 he won one of the Live Auditions Rounds. This year is is back on track with his beautiful poetry .
Not knowing what to expect from him, Robert Dover gave him the “go-ahead. On the first round, with his dramatic rhymes, the poet delivered a personal experience about bullying. On the second performance, the lyrics were beautiful. The equestrian community listened to every word of the wonderful poetry Brandon spoke out loud with sincere passion. His dramatic story brought the audience to tears.
After the final round Roxanne said :
"I’m really speechless. I don’t know how you put your words together, they magically rhyme. You’re able to tell your story your own particularly way. It is so authentic and so believable, you are so unique, your sincere, you’re a genius."
Monica Canedo: the beautiful Voice.
Monica Canedo, a 15 year old singer, one of the youngest contestants, started the first round with the famous ballad of “Out here on my own” from the musical FAME. On both rounds, Monica proved her age hasn’t stopped her from singing big songs. In the second round, she sang the breathtaking song of Adele:” When We Were Young". With her beautiful and enchanting voice, everyone was completely spellbound.
Kimberly Van Kampen: “Monica you’re 15 and you still reached me. I can’t wait to hear you when you're 50. You’re amazing.
The next AEGT audition is set for Wednesday, March. 6th, 2019 at Romeo’s located at 13889 Wellington Trace, Wellington, FL 33414
Contact AEGT TEAM at aegtusa@gmail.com Walk-in performers may be accepted as time permits.
About AEGT
American Equestrians Got Talent, “AEGT” was founded by Robert Dover, USA six time Dressage Olympian. In its fourth year, “AEGT” is the largest Equestrian fundraising talent show in Wellington, Fla. This contest is supported by Discover Dressage, 501c3, founded by Kimberly Van Kampen, which supports the USEF Emerging Athlete Program for Dressage
