2011 Finalists and Winners

Markham’s Favourite Performers: Richardson Dancers

Act: Highland Dancing

This dance group is trained in a Scottish dance style known as “highland dancing”, under the direction of Nancy Richarson.

1^st Place:

Nicole Panteloucos

Act: Singing

Nicole is spontaneous and fearless.  She has no limits.  She knows it’s important to “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”

2^nd Place:

Luke Avoledo

Act: Singing

Normally you can find Luke singing in the shower but he is happiest when he gets the change to sing for a crowd.  His passion for music and acting is fulfilled through music lessons and performing with Unionville Theatre Company.

3^rd Place:

Emily Moore

Act: Guitar and Singing

Emily has been singing for as long as she can remember.  She can play guitar too and has a wide range of musical influences, old and new.

Most Charismatic:

John Rouchotas

Act: Beatboxing

Also known as “Heat”, John is a beatboxer from Markham who has been beatboxing for 2 ½ years, winning the Unity Beatbox championships.

Most Engaging:

Matthew Panetta

Act: Original Song

He is currently 20 years old and has been writing music and poetry for as long as he can remember.  He hopes to release an anthology in the future.

Most Memorable:

Mae Janelle Berte

Act: Singing

She sings songs that are from her favourite artists or songs that have a memorable meaning that she can relate to her life.

Markham Getting Together’s Team Pick: Faith Feat. M.O.M

Act: Singing

Faith is ten years old and entering grade 5 at Blessed John XXIII.  She’s a dedicated member of the Upper Canada Chorus, but also sings day and nigh for her family at home.  The women is black is her M.O.M.-and her biggest fan long with her D.A.D.

Judges’ Pick:

Diana Lyn Ruffolo

Act: Original Song

She is a 16 year old acoustic singer-song writer.  She has played at many different venues throughout Markham and Toronto either solo or with her band.

Vivian Lee

Act: Singing

The feeling of butterflies just minutes before she steps on stage and the sound of the crowd’s cheer and applause; that’s what keeps her doing what she loves to do.

Dillon Rasiah

Act: Piano

He started our learning classical piano, but a few years ago, he felt too disconnected from classical music so he started to make covers of modern music on piano.

Chin Yang and Tuan Bui

Act: Hip-hop Duet

Tense image is a dance crew expressed with the form of surrealistic animation style through which being able to free the mind enables them to become whatever they visualize.  This is Tense Image; “Tense Your Mind, See the Image.”

Claire Whitaker

Act: Tap Dancing

She has been dancing sing age 3, competitively for three years.  Dancing allows her to express herself and it makes her feel free and have fun!

Spice ‘N’ Rice

Act: Dance Crew

Spice ‘N’ Rice is a group of friend that were inspired to dance and have fun.  Each member’s different specialization in a different area of dance reflects not only their high school’s multiculturalism but also that of Markham.