Thirteen chosen for Teen Talent semifinals

By Charmaine Walker

Last Sunday’s second preliminary of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Show at the Barbados Museum, saw nine contestants vying for a place in the semi-finals. However, by the end of the night only six emerged successful to join those from the first preliminary.

One of the contestants to make the semi-finals was Shontae Alleyne-Clarke. While Alleyne-Clarke has shown visible growth in her overall command of the stage, rendering powerful ballads that call for pinpoint modulation and technique is not her forte. And this was evident in her rendition of Adele’s “Skyfall” and Regina Belle’s “If I Could”. Perhaps she would stand a better chance in the competition singing soca or uptempo songs which might not be as demanding in terms of vocal control. However, she is a very strong stage performer.

Joshua Osbourne

Joshua Osbourne performed “Impossible Dream” and “My Love” and was an absolute treat. The crowd and obviously the judges were clearly pleased with both of his renditions which earned him a seemingly automatic place in the semi-finals. Osbourne demonstrated great vocal control and range, and his interpretation of the former song was especially riveting.

Also presenting excellent vocals was Tavon Boyce whose renditions of Kenny Rogers’ “Lady” and “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” by Luther Vandross showed the value of choosing songs that fit one’s vocal ability and tone. The songs truly complemented his smooth, melodic tone.

Daianna Price could consider herself fortunate to make it into the semifinals, even after forgetting words in both of her songs, “Love On The Brain” by Rihanna and Adele’s “Someone Like You”. But she has a voice that is simultaneously husky yet beautiful and it stood out to the extent that the judges obviously felt she merited advancing despite her lapses.

Daianna Price

Other contestants were Atonica Straughan, Weslon Samuels, Kayla Alleyne, Diamond Applewhaite and Kereesa Chase.

The semifinalists are: Dmitri Hoyte, Weslon Samuels, Shaneka George, Kymani Devonish, Stefan Huggins, Skyy Dowridge, Joshua Osbourne, Kereesa Chase, Tavon Boyce, Beyonce Clarke, Amirah Cordice, Daianna Price and Shontae Alleyne-Clarke.