Last Friday, March 28, 2014, the 6th Annual Kinsley S. Ard Memorial Talent show was held at Milton J. Weinberg Theater, Weirton High, Weirton, WV. Our daughter's piano teacher encouraged our daughter to join the said talent show. Our daughter has never joined any talent show, since she only started taking lessons in January 2013. We gave it a try and sent her application. There was a sign up fee of $15 for every participant. Prior to the competition, we told our daughter that it is okay if she don't win, the most important part is she will get to experience it.
This event was spearheaded by the Parent Group of the Weir Middle School in honor of a late student, Kinsley Savannah Ard who died years ago.
Our daughter was anxious going to this talent show because she did not have any experience but we told her to just enjoy it. I must admit that I was more nervous than her lol. There were three judges and there were three categories Elementary (K-4), Middle School (5-8), and High School (9-12). Daughter was on the first category.
She competed against 10 other acts in Elementary category. Four of them played piano, some sung songs, and other danced. Two winners were piano players and one was a broadway singer. No dance acts won.
There was an entrance fee of $5 for adults and $3 for kids. There were also raffle prizes during the duration of the show. They sold tickets inside the theatre. The proceeds of this event goes to the Weir Middle School. I am glad that my daughter have participated and became a big part of this good cause. I think that the event was a huge success, lots of people came to watch which means that lots of fund was collected.
- 1st place's prize is $100
- 2nd Place's Prize is $75
- 3rd place received $50 each.
When the head judge explained the mechanics, she said that the crowd will serve as the 4th judge. Hubby and I looked at each other and said "Well, her chance of winning is very slim because we don't know anyone in there" lol. Our daughter was the underdog so when they announced that she won the first prize, we were actually shocked.
Each contestant was judged according to quality of performance, presentation, length of act (2 minutes) and over all impression.
I think what helped our daughter was the fact that she played without music sheet and that she confidently played her piece. When she played the crowd was very silent. I wasn't sure if they were drawn to her act or they just did not dig her performance. But I guess, she captured the audience as she got applauded after her act.
It was nerve wracking when they were announcing the winner. When they call the 3rd and 2nd place winners, hubby and I thought that our daughter won't place at all so just imagine what we felt when the judge announced that she won the first place, I was like yohoooo.
So yeah, she was so thrilled. This is her first experience and she finished with victory. Look how overjoyed her face is lol.
Of course, the whole family has to share to her victory so we took a family picture with victorious smile, wink. Sorry if my post may sound like too much bragging but I can't contain my happiness inside, I have to share it! This win will help boost her confidence to the next level.
Here is her piece that I recorded. I missed the first part because I had to switch my camera from taking photo to video recording. She was going to play Beethoven's Fur Elise but decided to play The Hunters as suggested by her Piano teacher.
I hope you enjoy watching.
