UNC Greensboro: UNCG Students Audition For America's Got Talent

Press release from UNC Greensboro:

February 24, 2022

Hollywood came to campus recently. Ten UNC Greensboro students performed for America’s Got Talent (AGT) producers to display their performance abilities in dance, voice, comedy and beatboxing, in a first-ever virtual showcase exclusively held for the University. UNCG student group 1aChord paved the way with their successful run on AGT, reaching the semifinals last season.

Lead producer Courtney Harrell – who discovered AGT semifinalists 1aChord – wanted to have a UNCG-exclusive event to capture lightning in a bottle again.

“I knew from my experience with 1aChord that there is something special going on at UNCG,”  Harrell told NBC affiliate WXII, who has written, performed and produced such artists as Mary J. Blige, Ariana Grande, and Beyonce, among others.

AGT has held only one other showcase at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston.

According to Music Theatre director Dominick Amendum, who coordinated the student participation, the showcase selection by AGT demonstrates the high caliber of UNCG’s programs and student talent.

“We can clearly compete on the national stage with the best programs in the country – the producers have elite backgrounds and know how to identify future stars. Our students can go up against elite programs and shine on one of the most popular talent programs in history. AGT has a 3-billion audience reach.”

The students included Kaitlyn Bryant (vocalist); Aubria Battle (musician/vocalist); Molly Oldham (vocalist); Melissa Lozada (vocalist); Lucas Shields (beatboxer); Tori Lee (stand-up comedian); Ty Gibson (stand-up comedian/sketch/dancer); Ife Winner (Afrobeat/neosoul vocalist); Jalen Davis (dancer); and Cory McIntrye (vocalist).

Each student performed and received feedback from the producers, with UNCG faculty and 1aChord members there to lend their support.

“The experience was thrilling and motivating,” said dance major Jalen Davis. “I’m beyond honored and grateful to be a Spartan for opportunities like UNCG’s partnership with AGT that allowed my talent to be seen on a larger platform! I’m so grateful to the School of Dance faculty for their sculpting and training me as a moving artist.”

Another tryout for AGT will occur on March 5 for the greater Triad community. Once the producers have reviewed all of the potential candidates, they will make contestant recommendations for the next season.

Story by Eden Bloss, University CommunicationsPhotography by Martin W. Kane, University Communications

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This press release was produced by UNC Greensboro. The views expressed here are the author’s own.