Talent show for local artists

Whether you find yourself passionately singing in the rain or dancing to the beat looking for an opportunity to show your talent, Centerstage, The Queens Center for the Performing Arts has opened its doors to help aspiring artists through a talent show, “Show Us What You’ve Got!” which will award winners a scholarship to study at the school of art and music.
Located in the school building of St. George’s Episcopal Church in downtown Flushing, Centerstage consists of a growing number of students including children and adults.
With more than 20 independent artists who teach all styles of vocal and instrumental music and dance, along with workshops and assistance with public performances to aide students in honing their musical abilities, Centerstage’s mission is to provide students education and exposure to music and art so that they gain a sense of appreciation for both.
“All the people there have years and years of experience among them. Not only just technical stuff but things that pertain to the music industry as well. It’s a well rounded education as far as the music industry goes,” said Malcolm Spaulding, 22, who is a vocal student at Centerstage.
“It was an outlet for me to learn and show off my music skills, it sharpened my skills in terms of hearing and fine tuning things…it’s been a very good experience,” Spaulding said attributing his refined vocal proficiency to the training of his voice instructor Dakota MacLeod.
The “Show Us What You’ve Got” program budded from the idea that an ongoing scholarship program at the school with the help of civic and retail organizations in Queens is needed to preserve access to music and arts education.
Auditions for the talent show are open to all ages under the beginner, intermediate and advanced categories in dance, vocal music and instrumental. Auditions will be held September 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. and September 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Centerstage located at 135-32 38th Avenue in Flushing. The final judging and awards ceremony will be on October 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Sheraton East Hotel 135-20 39th Avenue. For more information and to register contact 718-321-8496 or email centerstagemusic@aol.com.
“Centerstage is more than a music school. We aspire to be a thriving music and arts hub in Queens where people of all ages can access and indulge in their interest in the arts, said Barbara Speedling, executive director of Centerstage. “The school of music also provides music free of charge for other community organizations as a way of giving back and using our talents to enrich our community and the quality of our lives, we believe music and arts education is essential to the world.”