Top Talent LIVE 2023 Program

Saturday, May 4, 2024 2:00 p.m. Matinee Alexis

& Jim Pugh Theater

Many Thanks to our Sponsors!

Top Talent LIVE 2024 returns to the stage!

Welcome to Top Talent LIVE 2024, a showcase of student talent in the performing arts. We are thrilled to return to the Dr. Phillips Center, where our student talent really shines!

This year, more than 200 marvelous acts auditioned, making the job of selecting this year’s cast extremely tough. Congratulations to ALL the students whose talents are on full display this afternoon!

OCPS offers high-quality arts programs to every student, at every grade level. Students are actively engaged in the arts through a sequential, comprehensive standards-based curriculum that develops their personal artistry. By expanding proficiency in the arts, students develop self-esteem, confident self-expression, reflective and evaluative skills, critical thinking skills, and appreciation of others’ work.

Proceeds from today’s event will support arts access for ALL students and provide postsecondary arts support for students experiencing poverty and homelessness. A small portion will also support the Foundation itself. We deeply appreciate the generosity of our sponsors and audience members: they are investing in our children today, which will strengthen our entire community tomorrow.

I would also like to thank the volunteers, staff, celebrity judges and Foundation board members who have dedicated countless hours to bring today’s event to life. These selfless individuals have worked diligently to ensure the show’s success.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Scott D. Howat President, Foundation for Orange County Public Schools Chief Communications Officer, Orange County Public Schools

P.S. Don’t forget to vote for your Fan Favorite…

EventSchedule

12:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

Lobby Opens

Foxtail Concessions

VIP Reception (12:30 – 1:30 p.m.)

Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater Doors Open

2:00 p.m. Act I

Intermission

Act II

Top Talent LIVE Awards

4:30 P.m. End of Show

PRESENTS

SUPPORTED

SUPPORTED BY

SUPPORTED BY

What’s the occasion? All the occasions.

Check out our lineup – there’s something for every occasion under the sun

JUNE 15 & 16

BLUEY’S BIG PLAY

WALT DISNEY THEATER

FAMILY SERIES SUPPORTED BY EXPERIENCE KISSIMMEE

SUPPORTED BY

JUNE 21 & 22

SUPPORTED BY

SUPPORTED BY

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS™ PART 1 IN CONCERT

WITH THE ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

PRODUCED BY CINECONCERTS

WALT DISNEY THEATER

FAMILY SERIES SUPPORTED BY EXPERIENCE KISSIMMEE

AUGUST 9-11

SUPPORTED BY

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS

LIVE IN CONCERT

WITH THE ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

WALT DISNEY THEATER

SUPPORTED BY

SUPPORTED BY

start planning your summer: drphillipscenter.org

ABOVE THE CITY BEAUTIFUL

Take your night to new heights with craft cocktails, Mediterranean-inspired small bites and skyline views from our rooftop lounge.

Reserve Now

Meet our Hosts!

Ginger Gadsden joined the News 6 team June 15, 2014, as an anchor/reporter. She currently co-anchors the news at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. You can also watch Ginger on Florida’s Fourth Estate Podcast now streaming on News 6+.

Ginger’s career in television began shortly after her college theater professor told her she had a unique presence that captured the attention of other students in the classroom. He advised her to pursue a career in journalism and helped her secure an internship at a WIS the local NBC television station in Columbia, SC. The moment she walked into the newsroom she fell in love

with the energy of live, local news. After her internship, Ginger’s skills landed her a job at FOX 59 in Indianapolis as the weekend weather anchor and entertainment reporter. She was soon promoted to co-anchor of the 10 p.m. newscast.

She has also worked in Dallas and Washington DC, but Florida is the state where she has spent most of her career. Ginger has covered a variety of big stories including some in Florida sports. In 2007 she traveled to Arizona to cover the Florida Gators when they won the BCS Championship, and when the Tampa Bay Rays were in the World Series, Ginger was

Ginger Gadsden & Matt Austin

Anchors, News 6 WKMG

live at Tropicana Field for each home game. She also anchored live coverage of Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium.

Ginger was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina as the 7th of 15 children! If you ask her to name her hero, she’ll proudly tell you it’s her father. Married for 57 years, her parents are her role models and she credits them for instilling in her a strong work ethic. She is a selfproclaimed foodie who loves trying new cuisines and has a passion for travel. She has visited Greece, Spain, Africa and Italy, with Thailand, Australia and Antarctica being on her list – someday!

Matt Austin joined the News 6 team in June 2011. It has been a wild ride ever since.

Matt has covered some of Florida’s biggest court cases, from Casey Anthony to George Zimmerman. From hurricanes to tragic events, Matt has seen a lot during his career.

His reporting has also changed the state of Florida. In 2019, Matt helped change Florida law, which previously kept law enforcement from pulling over texting drivers. Distracted driving crashes were becoming increasingly common. The National Association of Broadcasters awarded Matt the Service to America Award for his three-year investigation.

Matt says his goal is to give people a reliable and relatable experience when they watch the news.

But Matt’s true joy comes when he arrives at home to a house full of beautiful ladies. His wife Tricia and three daughters give him added motivation to make sure Central Florida stays safe and informed.

You can watch Matt Austin weekdays at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. on News 6. Plus! You can also catch Matt on Florida’s Fourth Estate Podcast now streaming on News 6+.

E. J. Cardona

After 34 years of teaching in Orange County Public Schools, Karen J. Rugerio retired to dedicate herself to her private acting studio. Initially teaching at Jones High School, Karen helped create the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet (VPA) at Dr. Phillips High School in 1995. As Director of the Magnet, she continued to serve as Theatre Director until her retirement in 2014. In that time she directed over 120 shows, winning national and international recognition for DPHS with amazing alumni

Lindsay Hose

Meet our

E.J. Cardona is an experienced session singer whose voice can be heard on many different recordings and stages, performing for audiences all over the world. Since graduating from University High School, E.J. has provided backing vocals for artists such as SuperFruit, Jordan Fisher, Shoshana Bean, Ace Young, Kirstie Maldonado, Jackie

including Wayne Brady, presently on Broadway as the Wizard in THE WIZ; Wesley Taylor in Only Murders in the Building/Season 3; Michael James Scott, starring as Genie in Aladdin on Broadway; Matt Lauria, CSI: Vegas; Joey Fatone of ‘NSync and My Big Fat Greek Wedding (1,2, and 3), and many more, earning her the moniker “Director to the Stars”.

Omar Jose Cardona is a singer/songwriter from Orlando, Florida. Omar started his 16-year career as a session singer after graduating from University High School, and has become one of the most sought-after live and session vocalists in the US. Omar recently

Wesley Taylor

With an 18-year career that runs the gamut from Broadway to regional theater to theme parks to company work, Lindsay Hose has done it all! She was in the Broadway and National Touring companies of Wicked as a Dance Captain and Swing. While in NYC, she was a member of a contemporary dance company called dre.dance, under the artistic direction of Taye Diggs and Andrew Palermo, and performed in Manhattan at the Joyce SoHo and Tribeca

competed as a finalist on Season 22 of NBC’s The Voice, and his dynamic performances have been shared across the globe. Omar has his sights set on Broadway and is very excited to join the cast of From Here for his offbroadway debut this summer. Omar is grateful for the

Karen recently became artistic director and cofounder of The Bridge Theatre Company which will Wesley Taylor made his Broadway debut in the original cast of Rock of Ages, before starring opposite Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth in the original cast of Broadway’s The Addams Family. Taylor then originated the role of Sheldon J. Plankton in Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, before it was filmed for Nickelodeon as “The Spongebob Musical, Live on Stage!” Taylor is a Theatre World Award Winner, Chita Rivera Award Winner, and Outer Critics Circle Award nominee.

Celebrity Judges!

Evancho, Sandi Patti and more! E.J. has also performed on regional stages in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (The Voice of Quasimodo), In The Heights (Piraguero), Finding Nemo: The Musical (Crush), Porgy and Bess, and West Side Story, as well as on the popular TV show The X Factor. Currently, E.J. can be seen performing at Walt Disney

debut its first production, The Diary of Anne Frank, to an audience of 2000 OCPS students in November, 2024. The Bridge Theatre Company is dedicated to producing theatre that combats racism, bigotry, bullying and antiSemitism. She continues to develop her private acting studio, Act III Acting Studio, which is dedicated to bringing theatre into the lives of special needs students.

World, Universal Studios, or out on tour with one of the country’s premier a capella groups, VOCTAVE. E.J. believes these young people (our performers) are truly the TOP TALENT! IG: @ejcardonamusic

Performing Arts Center. Currently, Lindsay is continuing her life as a Dance Captain for the opening team of Finding Nemo: the Big Blue… and Beyond! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Recently, she has been stepping behind the creative side of the table as well, co-conceptualizing and choreographing Finding Nemo Jr. for Orlando Family Stage and co-producing and choreographing Whiskeyland, a new musical by Broadway’s Nik Walker,

opportunities to do what he loves and share his passion for music as a part of Top Talent LIVE 2024!

“I’m a dreamer; I build worlds.” - James Halliday

Select Off-Broadway/Regional: The 12, Assassins, The Who’s Tommy, An Act of God, Cabaret, Tales of the City, Alice By Heart. TV: Cliff Demeo on “Only Murders in the Building” (IndieWire’s top TV performances of 2023, SAG Award Nomination-Best Ensemble in a Comedy), Bobby on “Smash” (26 episodes), “The Good Wife,” “The Tomorrow People,” “One Life to Live,” “Looking,” “I’m Dying up Here,” “Difficult People.” Film: The Surrogate; Lucky Stiff; The Spongebob Musical, Live on Stage! As a

for its stage debut at Orlando Fringe. Lindsay also loves working with students from across the country through Disney’s Imagination Campus as a Teaching Artist for the Broadway Magic workshop series; there she emphasizes how theater gives students the chance to see the world through someone else’s eyes, challenges them to push themselves out of their comfort zones, empowering their growth as performers and as individuals.

Omar Jose Cardona

creator: the Emmy-nominated “Indoor Boys” (HereTV), “It Could Be Worse” (Hulu), and the Glaad-nominated feature film “Summoning Sylvia,” (Starz), which remains 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and raised in Orlando, Florida, Taylor graduated from the Visual Performing Arts Magnet at Dr. Phillips High School. He then received a BFA in Drama from the University at North Carolina School of the Arts. (IMDB) @sirwestaytay

Karen Rugerio

KNOWLEDGE. INVESTING IN

We’re proud to support those who work toward a brighter tomorrow.

of Show

Opening Act — SPECIAL GUEST!

Omar Jose Cardona Creep by Radio Head

Top Talent Finalist Act / Song and Category

1. Aurelia Taylor Vozella The Pursuit of Happiness | Dance (Accompanist Benjamin Phan)

2. Miguel Palacios What I Did For Love - A Chorus Line | Vocal

3. Stanislava Haiko Polichinelle by Rachmaninoff | Piano

4. Guilherme & Larissa Lana Counting My Blessings | Piano & Vocal Duet

5. The 1 Quintette (Micah Mazella, Caleb Wolf, The Flight of the Bumble Bee | Instrumental Group Ege Erdag, Aziz Ansari Vepaul Hariprashad)

6. Gabriel Perez Stringed Solar Eclipse - Czardas Under the Sun | Violin

7. Elira Aliaj Dream A Little Dream Of Me | Vocal

8. Ivana Lopez & Norah Perfetto Break from the Line | Vocal Duet

9. Elvis Avetis

— intermission —

“Umbrella” (Rihanna Vintage Cover) | Piano & Vocal

10. Dr. Phillips Jazz Combo Feeling Good | Instrumental & Vocal Group (Matthew Iverson Baptiste, Luis Encarnacion, Angelina Falco, Kervens Jules, Jonah Martin)

11. Cruz Planas L.O.V.E. | Vocal

12. Elijah Rosa How High The Moon Tap Solo | Dance

13. Genesis Perez Burn | Vocal

14. Eben Ge Rain | Piano

15. Yadiel Reyes Crystallized Affection | Piano & Vocal

16. Olivia Gannon Bloom | Dance

17. Caroline Brett House of the Rising Sun | Vocal

Closing Act — Rising Stars!

Evan Sutherland You Raise Me Up | Vocal

Yimo Wu North Wind Blows | Piano

Arianna Walterscheid Un Poco Loco | Guitar & Vocal Run

Angelina Falco Dr. Phillips HS

Caleb Wolf Dr. Phillips HS

Guilherme Lana Westpointe ES

Caroline Brett Edgewater HS

Elvis Avetis Discovery MS

Stanislava Haiko University HS

Jonah Martin Dr. Phillips HS

Aziz

Ansari Dr. Phillips HS

Larissa Lana Howard MS

Cruz Planas Westbrooke ES

Gabriel Perez Timber Creek HS

Yadiel Reyes University HS

Kervens Jules Dr. Phillips HS

Ege Erdag Lake Nona HS

Ivana Lopez University HS

Eben Ge Timber Lakes ES

Genesis Perez Apopka HS

Arianna Walterscheid Brookshire ES

Luis Encarnacion Dr. Phillips HS

Vepaul Hariprashad Timber Creek HS

Norah Perfetto University HS

Elijah Rosa Lake Nona HS

Miguel Palacios Freedom HS

Evan Sutherland Windy Ridge K-8

Matthew Iverson Baptiste Dr. Phillips HS

Micah Mazzella Timber Creek HS

Aurelia Taylor Vozella Innovation MS

Elira Aliaj Bay Meadows ES

Olivia Gannon Boone HS

Yimo Wu Windy Ridge K-8

Aurelia Taylor

Vozella

Accompanist: Benjamin Phan

Age: 11

School: Innovation MS

Talent Category: Dance

Performance: The Pursuit of Happiness

Miguel Palacios

Age: 17

School: Freedom HS

Talent Category: Vocal

Performance: What I Did For Love - A Chorus Line

Stanislava Haiko

Age: 16

School: University HS

Talent Category: Piano

Performance: Polichinelle by Rachmaninoff

Guilherme & Larissa Lana

Age: 11 & 12

School: Westpointe ES & Howard MS

Talent Category: Piano & Vocal

Performance: Counting My Blessings

The 1 Quintette

Micah Mazella, Caleb Wolf, Ege Erdag, Vepaul Hariprashad, Aziz Ansari

Age: 16-18

Schools: Dr. Phillips HS, Lake Nona HS, Timber Creek HS

Talent Category: Instrumental Group

Performance: The Flight of the Bumble Bee

Gabriel Perez

Age: 15

School: Timber Creek HS

Talent Category: Violin

Performance: Stringed Solar EclipseCzardas Under the Sun

Elira

Aliaj

Age: 11

School: Bay Meadows ES

Talent Category: Vocal

Performance: Dream A Little Dream Of Me

Ivana Lopez & Norah Perfetto

Age: 17 & 18

School: University HS

Talent Category: Vocal

Performance: Break from the Line

Elvis Avetis

Age: 13

School: Discovery MS

Talent Category: Piano & Vocal

Performance: “Umbrella” (Rihanna Vintage Cover)

Dr. Phillips Jazz Combo

Matthew Iverson Baptiste, Luis Encarnacion, Angelina Falco, Kervens Jules, Jonah Martin

Ages: 15-18

School: Dr. Phillips HS

Talent Category: Instrumental & Vocal

Performance: Feeling Good

Cruz Planas

Age: 11

Schools: Westbrooke ES

Talent Category: Vocal

Performance: L.O.V.E.

Elijah Rosa

Age: 18

School: Lake Nona HS

Talent Category: Dance

Performance: How High The Moon Tap Solo

Genesis

Perez

Age: 18

School: Apopka HS

Talent Category: Vocal

Performance: Burn

Eben Ge

Age: 11

School: Timber Lakes ES

Talent Category: Piano

Performance: Rain Yadiel Reyes

Age: 18

School: University HS

Talent Category: Piano & Vocal

Performance: Crystallized Affection

Olivia Gannon

Age: 16

School: Boone HS

Talent Category: Dance

Performance: Bloom

Caroline

Brett

Age: 16

Schools: Edgewater HS

Talent Category: Vocal

Performance: House of the Rising Sun

Evan Sutherland

Age: 11

School: Windy Ridge K–8

Talent Category: Vocal

Performance: You Raise Me Up

Yimo Wu

Age: 8

School: Windy Ridge K–8

Talent Category: Piano

Performance: North Wind Blows

Arianna

Walterscheid

Age: 9

School: Brookshire Elementary

Talent Category: Guitar & Vocal

Performance: Un Poco Loco

What we do together in the next

years will impact student outcomes for the next 25 years.

What we do together in the next five years will impact student outcomes for the next 25 years.

Ensure students are reading at grade level by third grade

Ensure students are reading at grade level by third grade

Increase college enrollment

Increase college enrollment

Increase attainment of two- and four-year degrees

Increase attainment of two- and four-year degrees

Learn more at www.helios.org

LOCAL IMPACT. COAST TO COAST.

$20 PER TAG STAYS LOCAL

Supporting classrooms in your community is a breeze. Purchase your new specialty plate today.

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS.

Autographs

Orange County School Board

Orange County Public Schools Cabinet

Mike Armbruster Deputy Superintendent, Division of Learning

Bridget Williams Deputy Superintendent, Executive Services

Rob Bixler Chief of Staff

Rahim Jones Elementary Schools

Wendy Ivory Exceptional Student Education

Trevor Honohan Elementary Schools Cadre 1

Rob McCloe Elementary Schools Cadre 2

Charles Lindlau Elementary Schools Cadre 3

Lino Rodriguez Elementary Schools Cadre 4

Meredith Leftakis Elementary Schools Cadre 5

Rory Salimbene Chief Facilities Officer

Scott Howat Chief Communications Officer and President, Foundation for OCPS

Doreen Concolino Chief Financial Officer

Roberto Pacheco Chief Operations Officer

Maurice Draggon Chief Information Officer

Kathryn Shuler Chief Schools Officer

Tashanda Brown-Cannon Chief Academic Officer

Executive Leaders

Rosa Grant Career and Technical Education

Jose Martinez High Schools

Patricia Fritzler Middle/K-8 Schools

Greg Moody School Choice

Cadre Principal Leaders

Karen Verano Elementary Schools Cadre 6

Carletta Davis-Wilson Elementary Schools Cadre 7

Lukeshia Miller Elementary Schools Cadre 8

Julie Helton Elementary Schools Cadre 9

Mindi Smith Elementary Schools Cadre 10

Jenny Gibson Middle/K-8 Schools Cadre

Rolando Bailey Middle/K-8 Schools Cadre

Todd Trimble Middle/K-8 Schools Cadre 3

James Leslie Middle/K-8 Schools Cadre 4

Martha Chang High Schools Cadre 1

Harold Border Division of Strategy

Amy Envall General Counsel

John Palmerini Deputy General Counsel

William Bohn School Transformation Office

Britt Despenza High Schools Cadre 2

Kelly Paduano High Schools Cadre 3

Sheila Windom School Transformation Office Cadre 1

Raquel Flores School Transformation Office Cadre 2

OFFICERS

Greg Dotson BOARD CHAIR Dr. Phillips Center for The Performing Arts

Martha Santoni CHAIR ELECT Nemours Children’s Health System

Jose Fernandez

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Florida Compass Group

Alan Fidelo VICE-CHAIR/TREASURER FTF, Inc.

2023-24 Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

Matt Adcock GOLF TOURNAMENT CHAIR Guignard Company

Mandy Bond

COMMUNITY OUTREACH CO-CHAIR Universal Orlando Resort

Eda Davis-Lowe Valencia College

Jennifer Flynn Dear OCPS ALUMNI NETWORK CHAIR KPMG

Caesar Lopez OCPS ALUMNI NETWORK CO- CHAIR Orlando City Soccer Club

Rob Stang SCHOOL SPIRIT RUN CHAIR SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Katie Thomason

SCHOLARSHIP REVIEW CHAIR Community Volunteer

Tajiana Ancora-Brown Walt Disney World Resort

Richard Barbari Addition Financial

Lisa Curran Duke Energy

Kari Conley Community Volunteer

Francisco Cardoza Village Park Elementary

Jeff Carter WELBRO Building

Hanna Elmasry Baker Hostetler

Dr. Rahim Jones OCPS Elementary Schools

Erick Kepfer, CPA UCF Foundation

Adrian Kierulf-Velez Fairwinds Credit Union

Cliff Long Orlando Regional Realtor Association

Ryan Mahaffey Bank of America

Maritza Martinez-Guerrero Orlando Magic

Stewart Parker Winter Park High

Jacey Poppell Lockheed Martin

Diego “Woody” Rodriguez Community Volunteer

Maria Salamanca District 2, Orange County School Board

Michelle Strenth Orlando Health

Special thanks to our 2023-24 Top Talent Committee

Greg Dotson Committee Chair

Melaney Douglass Committee Co-Chair

Brooke Axtell Senior Manager, Events & Engagement

Debi Pedraza Executive Director

Pam Carson Assistant Director

Scott Evans Senior Director, VPA

Margaux Cruz Senior Administrator, Philanthropic Strategy

Kathleen Wright Administrator, Partners in Education

Sondra Dunlap Senior Manager, Grants

Joie Cadle Foundation Consultant

Don Mascheri Diacom Productions

Carmen Mendez Administrative Specialist

FOR YOUR FAN FAVORITES!

When you vote for your favorite Top Talent LIVE act, you’ll help him or her win a $150 gift card. More importantly, you’ll help provide arts enrichment for students experiencing poverty or homelessness. That’s an investment in our students today that will strengthen the entire community tomorrow!

VOTING IS EASY:

• To vote for your favorite onstage performer, text FFSTAGE to 41444.

• You’ll receive a reply with a link.

• Click the link, then simply fill out the form to give $1 per vote to our cause.

• You can also scan the QR code below for quick access to the voting/contribution form. You may vote as many times as you like, for as many performers as you like.

All contributions are tax deductible.

Voting will close at 3:50 p.m. and a final tally of votes will determine the 2024 Fan Favorite. So be sure to vote early and often for YOUR favorite!

SCAN HERE OR TEXT FFSTAGE to 41444

Proceeds from Top Talent will help support the Foundation and provide arts enrichment for students experiencing poverty and homelessness. We are grateful to all of our generous sponsors and audience members!

Fan Favorite sponsor