Finalists for the talent contest Alter Ego 2014 announced
Eight acts were chosen for the finals of the talent contest, ‘Alter Ego 2014’ on Saturday 11 January.
The live auditions held at the Hackney Empire saw over 40 talented acts take to the stage. Judges Susie McKenna, Artistic Director, Hackney Empire; Renell Shaw, Musical Director, Alter Ego; Yamin Choudhury, Associate Producer, Hackney Empire; Jemilea Wisdom, Administrative Producer, Alter Ego worked till late in the evening deciding on the lucky finalists.
The eight acts will receive two full days and five evenings of mentoring by professional Hackney Empire artists, before the final on Friday 7 February.
Excited finalist, 23 year old singer, KC Raphael said: "I've been singing all my life and when I sing I'm telling the world who I am and what I'm about. I love being able to bring people together through the medium of music."
The finalists
Dancer, Warren Hugh Murray, aged 18
Singer, Kagan Page-Burgin, aged 17
Singer, KC Raphael, aged 19
Rapper, Di-Andre Silvera, aged 24
Girl group, Our Song is Contagious
Amna-Janine Elsayed, Glorious Okosun and Abigail Asabea Appiah
All aged 14
Girl group, Flight
Melanie Wanjala, Israel Ferron and Esther Korner
All aged 15
Rappers, Splash Crew
Shanziie Carter, Rykardo Levy-Martin Zamora, Tyla-Ryan Fenlon and Kirstan Andrew
All aged between 14 and 15 years old
Band, The Brasscals
Nadia Haloua, Rose Yemelyanova and Sanchez Mequina
All aged 14
The final will be held at the Hackney Empire, Saturday 7 February and tickets cost just £2. Some are still available from the Hackney Empire box office or from the website.
Alter Ego is part of Hackney Council’s annual youth arts and culture festival Discover Young Hackney, 1 to 28 February, (#DiscoverYoungHackney14)
Now in its seventh year, the award winning Discover Young Hackney festival provides the borough’s ambitious 13 to 19 year olds an insight in to the performing, media and visual arts industries. Discover Young Hackney provides ambitious youngsters a platform to showcase their talents in the performance, media and visual arts. Partnering with the vibrant local cultural and arts community, the month long festival will also provide activities offering insights into the creative industries, giving young people more opportunities to prepare for the future.