Meet Our Celebrity Judges!

Kala Banham is an artist on the current season of NBC’s The Voice, landing spots on three separate teams coached by Niall Horan, Kelly Clarkson, and Chance the Rapper. Growing up, she pursued music wherever she could—studying the viola for seven years, singing in her high school jazz band and theatre productions, leading worship at church, and joining a competitive collegiate a cappella group. Outside of her performance experience, Kala graduated from the University of Florida in 2021 and began a career in PR supporting media relations for tech companies in the music industry.

Multiple Emmy Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated Wayne Brady has made his mark both on stage and screen as an actor, producer, singer, dancer, songwriter, and television personality. A five-time Emmy winner, Brady has an impressive TV resume including Whose Line Is It Anyway?, The Masked Singer, Dancing With The Stars, Black Lighting, The Good Fight, and Showtime’s American

Gigolo. On stage, Brady has starred in the long-running hit musicals Chicago and Kinky Boots (Broadway’s Tony Award-winning Best Musical), as well as headlining as ‘Aaron Burr’ in the Chicago production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning juggernaut Hamilton. Brady began honing his skills right here in the very first production at Dr. Phillips High School.

Omar Jose Cardona is a singer/ songwriter from Orlando, Florida. He has been singing professionally for 15 years and started his career as a session singer after graduating University High School. More recently, he was a finalist on Season 22 of NBC’s The Voice. His vocal ability is unrivaled in the industry, and his dynamic performances have been shared across the globe. Omar is hardworking with his sights set on Broadway and also currently writing and producing original music to be released soon. He is grateful for the opportunities to do what he loves and share his passion for music as part of this year’s Top Talent LIVE 2023!

Pollyanna Dorough (Singer/ Songwriter) grew up in Orlando, Florida with four siblings and a love of music. She is a proud Edgewater High School alumna who majored in voice at the Westchester Conservatory of Music at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York. While in college, she encouraged the musical abilities of her younger brother, Howard Dorough aka Howie D., of the Backstreet Boys.

Pollyanna discovered her songwriting ability after her sister Caroline lost her battle with lupus in 1998.

After Caroline’s passing, she wrote her first song, “Fly to Heaven,” in memory of her sister.

Pollyanna took her music further by releasing her debut album, “Wings of Hope.” Howie was the album’s executive producer.

Her accolades include receiving the Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year Award at the United Catholic Music and Video Association’s (UCMVA) Unity Awards ceremony in 2004 and 2005 for her songs “Fly to Heaven” and “We Will Meet Again.”

“Fly to Heaven” also appeared on “A Tribute to Pope John Paul Il” compilation album.

Pollyanna was the opening act for the Backstreet Boys during the group’s “Black & Blue” tour in 2001, and continues to perform as a solo artist and with Howie internationally and throughout the United States.

Nowadays, Pollyanna sings and directs choirs locally in Brevard County, Florida. She also teaches private voice lessons to adults and children in Merritt Island, Florida.

After teaching in Orange County Public Schools for 34 years, Karen J. Rugerio retired to dedicate herself to her private acting studio. Initially teaching at Jones High School, Karen became instrumental in creating the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet (VPA) at Dr. Phillips High School in 1995, the first magnet of its kind in OCPS. 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 from that program, including Wayne Brady, Michael James Scott (the Genie in Aladdin on Broadway), Matt Lauria (CSI: Las Vegas), Joey Fatone, ‘NSync) and many more worldwide.

Karen is currently owner/director of Act III Acting Studio, and founder of The Robin’s Nest program, which is dedicated to bringing theatre into the lives of special needs students.