UG’s Got Talent promises dazzling showcase

May 19, 2024 News

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By: Shania Williams

 

 

Kaieteur News – University of Guyana Got Talent Competition (UGGT) 2024 promises a dazzling showcase of extraordinary talent from enchanting songs to spellbinding poems, and a performance from a brilliant saxophonist.

The talent hosed by University of Guyana’s 60th Anniversary Commemoration Committee held its preliminary rounds on May 8 and 9, 2024 at Theatre Guild on Parade Street in Georgetown, kicked off the event in spectacular fashion, drawing in audiences to witness the captivating displays.

Among the contestants vying for the winning title and the role of UG Talent Ambassador are Onelly Holder, Cherise Roberts, Joshua D’Ornellasm, Jaivon Weeks, Tirishatta Semple, Romana Richmond, Serena Hope, Shaneel English, Kezia Nunes, Lilian Rege, Zamani Collins, Rani Goberdhan, Althrenor Bovell, Stracy Stewart, Nathania Samad, Asiyah Kayum, Joel Weeks, and Roshauna Fraser.

The competition consists of three more rounds; Quarter finals, Semifinals, and Final. All contestants were eager to be elected into the next round.

Expressing their excitement some contestants shared their thoughts on participating in this prestigious competition with The Waterfalls.

Jaivon Weeks, a talented 19-year-old young lady hailing from North Ruimveldt, entered this year contest because she participated last year and only made it to semifinals.

“I want to make a comeback this year and keep the judges on their toes with my performance and to take home the title. I’m a very multitalented person; I like to try new things.” He explained his choice of dancing, saying, “Dance was a part of me from the age of nine, I have a passion for dancing. It tells a lot; it tells a story and for me what words can’t say, I show it through dance and it helps you to embrace oneself.”

He further described his performance saying, “most of my dances are based on Christian like genre and one of the challenges as a dancer in that case is that you get caught up by the world and there are not much Christian songs that I would have known and I would have tried to find out that could have given the message, I want to relate to my dances. The mistake I made last year was falling short if the message itself, so this year I am going to be on point on the message I am trying to deliver and execute that to the best of my abilities.”

Nathania Olivia Hamilton-Samad, a 22-year-old from Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, shared her motivation for joining the talent contest.

Hamilton-Samad said, “I entered the competition because God has blessed me with many talents playing instruments, composing songs, learning languages and I enjoy sharing them with my fellow Guyanese to encourage and make them proud”

She plans to surprise the audience with her performances, stating, “I did the alto saxophone in the first round, and I’m planning to use another instrument in the second. However, for the third, I want it to be a surprise.”

She explained that she has received as unwavering amount of support, “My entire family and my friends are supporting me all the way, and especially my parents who worked really hard to get me the instruments believing that I could play them though none of us had any experience with the majority.”

“There are many other talented competitors in UGGT and sometimes it can be intimidating, but I do believe that if I work hard, be confident and gain enough supporters, I will take home the win”, she added.

Similarly, the multitalented Tirishatha Semple, of 2256 Ozama Street, North Ruimveldt, explained that she was aware of the competition last year.

“It was very interesting to me since then but now that I’m a university student I can take part… I tried my luck … I believe this platform would be great for me to showcase my talent and garner exposure and to be a voice for the voiceless.”

She said “I am not over confident but humbly confident, knowing that true talent cannot be ignored and Guyana does have talent. Anything can happen, I’ve heard the other contestants, they are very good and talented, but I believe what’s for you will be for you. So, in terms of winning, it’s a possibility, but making finals is important and getting my voice and lyrics heard. That’s important.”

With the preliminary round voting concluded, contestants await the results eagerly as they continue their journey towards claiming victory. The next round is scheduled for May 22, 2024.

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• Althrenor Bovell, Asiyah Kayum, Joel Weeks, Kezia Nunes, Lilian Rege, Nathania Samad, Rani Goberdhan, Serena Hope, Shaneel English, Stracy Stewart, Zamani Collins

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