Talking To: LI Northwell Nurse Choir Members, Finalists On 'AGT'

LONG ISLAND, NY —The Northwell Health Nurse Choir is officially in the final round of "America's Got Talent." The choir, made up of 18 working nurses from across New York state, has several members who live and work on Long Island. Patch talked to four choir members, who reflected on their journey from amateur singers to part of one of the most popular acts on the talent show.

Christian Montanez works at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. He said that when they created the choir, he knew it was an inspirational story but didn't expect such a tremendous response from the public.

"What's so unique about this choir," he said, "is that we are all bedside nurses—singing just happens to be a shared passion or talent for us."

"It was such an honor to get the 'golden buzzer' in the first round and to get such positive feedback. Every time we perform the competition gets harder. Next round we are going to be fighting for our lives."

On Tuesday, the 18-member choir performed Andy Grammer’s “Don’t Give Up On Me" live.

The final round will air on September 14 and 15.

Keisha Jaboin also works at North Shore University Hospital. She told Patch that she's seen how the choir has progressed through the months. Northwell Health, the largest employer in New York State with 80,000 employees, has been allowing the nurses some flexibility balancing performing and working, and that the nurses are "making it work."

Winnie Mele, a director of nursing at Plainview Hospital, agreed.

"This is important to us and so we've all made the commitment and we make the time. We are representing everyone we work with, from the cafeteria workers to the" housekeeping staff.

The choir members are hoping the nurse choir may continue on performing at conferences or at work events but there are no set plans for after the show ends yet.

Shonda Ramirez, who grew up on Long Island and works in Forest Hills, says joining the choir helped remind her how much she loved singing.

"This choir has been phenomenal for me. I used to sing when I was younger with my family in church and and when I got into nursing and raising my family I stopped singing in public. [The choir] has made me realize how much I love singing."

"It's so cathartic and healing for me."

Some of the choir members perform as musicians in addition to their full-time nursing jobs, like Christian Montanez and Josh Hombrebueno of South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore.

Montanez and Winnie Mele both predict that the choir members will continue to want to sing, whether as a hobby, or together as a choir in the future.

"Singing is what we love," Mele said.

"I don't want this dream to stop," Montanez added.

The winning act on the show will receive a $1 million grand prize and a spot at the "America's Got Talent Las Vegas Live" stage show in Las Vegas in November.

But Shonda Ramirez explained that winning wasn't her ultimate goal, but that delivering a message to those listening was her priority.

"Our message is to nurses, to patients, to citizens, and it is to hold on, stand together. You can't lose sight of helping each other."