Markham Talent announces semifinal winners in actor, model, singer and dance categories

Markham (ON), July 10: The second season of the Markham Talent Open Casting Call, presented by Green City Communities, showcased its semifinals in the city of Markham, where a diverse array of performing artistes competed for the finals. 

Over the course of two full days, more than 150 performers, including actors, models, singers, dancers, and freestylers, were recognised for their exceptional talent in both the Under 16 and Over 17 age groups. The final showcase and award ceremony will be held at Flato Markham Theatre on September 20.

“It is incredible that over 150 semifinalists were chosen for these two days --- a 50% increase from Season 1. Judges, I want to say thank you. You have a very tough job. I saw some of the caliber of the talent last year and this year is no exception,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Honorary Chair of the event, as he thanked Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci for producing the show.

“Markham Talent is delighted to announce the winners from the semifinal performances of Open Casting Call Season 2, showcasing remarkable talent across various categories,” said Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci, Executive Producer of Markham Talent Open Casting Call & Showcase. “Our premier talent search in Markham, dedicated to discovering and nurturing young and emerging artists, featured a diverse array of talent, making it very difficult to select the ‘best of the best’.”

The semifinals took place at Xinflix Auditorium at 421 Bentley St, Unit 8, Markham, on June 22-23, 2024, with an exemplary judging panel reviewing and finalising the artists who will perform at Markham Talent Showcase in September.

“We had performing artists from all over Ontario for our thrilling Season 2 of the Markham Talent Open Casting Call. The Markham Talent event has become a staple in the community, providing a platform for young and emerging talents to shine. We are now excited to present this year's finalists at the award ceremony set to take place on September 20 in Markham,” said Renu Mehta, chair of MAC.

Casting Director Sarah Shepp said: “In this entertainment industry, we are always looking for fresh new faces from all ethnic backgrounds and different language skills such as Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Hindi…etc. I am thrilled to see the wonderful diversity of talents during these semifinals, and I can see there are so many talents we can work with. This event truly represents the diversity and multiculturalism in our community.”

Casting Director Colleen Rush added: “I love the format of this Open Casting Call as a big talent scouting event where talents have a 5-minute time slot to showcase their best artistic abilities, allowing judges to see a full spectrum and range of the talents.”

Media sponsors, including OMNI TV, AM1540 Sing Tao Chinese Radio, FM 105.9 The Region, and FM 91.9, were on board to provide contestants with the added advantage of being featured on television and radio as part of the media broadcast.

The judging panel included:

Music Producer/Juno Awards Nominee Robert Laidlaw

Television/Film Dance choreographer & director Jennifer Nichols

Songwriter/Music Producer Mickey Brandolino

Talent Manager Patricia Jarosz

Talent Manager and Model Agent Cynthia Cully

Television/Film Casting Director Colleen Rush

Casting Director Sarah Sheps

Youth Judges Anthony Collucci and Canada’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist Maya Gamzu

For more information and Showcase tickets, visit www.markhamtalent.ca.

List of Finalists

MODELS

Group A – 16 and Under

Amy Yang

Rosalina Yu

Jayme Dwyer

Christine Liang

Group B – 17 and Above

Noamane El Fech

Andreas Knelsen

MUSIC

Group A – Age 16 and Under

Mia Du Carmen

Ellena Li

Rishana Senthan

Zata Barchuk

Bella Guidotti – Life of Exile

Rachel Tao

Group B – Age 17 and Above

Noamane El Fech

Allyson Whitmell

Neha Dubey

Quang Phu Nguyen

Lia Dogadin

Shay Lee

ACTOR AND FREESTYLE

Group A – Age 16 and Under

Eleanor Jin

Serena Wang

Rishana Senthan

Jaydn Sloane Blumfald

Amy Yang

John Volfson

Group B – Age 17 and Above

Masha Dray

AJ Spatola

Edgar Allan Della Cruz

Ghazal Faridihaftkhani

Kenzy Le Bolloch

DANCER

Group A - Age 16 and Under

Beatrice Chang

VA Dance Studio

Happy Linda Dance (Blooming Jasmine)

Aleryia (Lera) Hrasevich

Audrey Wei

Joel Li

Julian Ha

Kelly Hof

Group B - Age 17 and Above

Lacey Wang – Ed Dance Studio (Super Nova)

Ellie Germano

Sanjana Sreeram

Quan Tran

Happy Linda Dance (Awakening of the Tang Figurine)

About Markham Talent (www.markhamtalent.ca)

Markham Talent 2024 is co-chaired by Markham Ward 6 Councillor and Executive Producer of Open Casting Call and Showcase, Amanda Yeung Collucci; Markham Arts Council’s Board Chair, Renu Mehta; and Markham Arts Council’s Executive Director, Shruti Ganapathy.

All proceeds from the event will go towards Markham Arts Council’s mission to continue supporting and promoting local Markham artistes.

- PTC PUNJABI