Finalists Honing Acts For Morristown’s Got Talent

The top 16 contestants in the upcoming Morristown's Got Talent fundraiser show returned to Morristown High School Saturday, where they auditioned Dec. 14, to rehearse the numbers that got them to the February finals. More than sizing up the competition, the 16 stars were there to participate in a press day for the annual fundraiser for the Morris Educational Foundation, which added over $50,000 to the coffers last year.

“The Morris Educational Foundation is very excited about our seventh anniversary production of Morristown’s Got Talent,” said Kim Pistner, MEF Board Member and Chairperson of the Morristown’s Got Talent Committee. “ We are proud to give our community’s local amateur talent an opportunity to perform in front of their hometown, and in a top notch facility such as the Mayo Performing Arts Center.”

Finalists are: 

·       Riley Amalfitano, singing

·       Daniel Baldan, singing/guitar

·       Band of Misfits, singing/instrumental

·       Alexandra Butman, dancing

·       Hugh Grennan, singing/piano

·       Uma Kantheti, dancing

·       Marimba Four, instrumental

·       The Merritt Sisters, singing/piano

·       Moderately Bright Four, singing

·       Morris Music Men, singing

·       Lindsay Roby, singing

·       Nailah K. Taylor and Rexx Hill, singing/piano

·       Rudy, Jim and Steve of Anthony's Pizza, singing/guitar

·       Gabrielle Visser Trumbull, singing

·       Joe Van Loon and accompaniment, singing/guitar

·       Nicole Williams, singing

The 16 finalists will compete for top prize, as well as for the admiration and praise of the regularly-sold out event. Tara Bernie, a Morristown resident who serves as senior producer for NBC’s Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood LIVE, will preside over Feb. 26 contest at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown. 

Four distinguished arts and entertainment professionals will judge the talent competition and there is a $1,000 cash prize for 1st place, $500.00 for second place and $250.00 for third place.

“The Morris Educational Foundation is a integral part of the Morris School District and this fund raising event will further the Foundation’s ability to distribute financial and other resources to and for the Morris School District for enrichment programs and other projects aimed at enhancing the quality of education and educational opportunities for students in the district, “ Molly Servais, Chair of the Board of the Morris Educational Foundation said.

Tickets will go on sale Jan. 27 for the event at the Mayo Peforming Arts Center, 100 South Street, Morristown. Those interested can call 973-539-8008 or purchase online at www.mayoarts.org.

Those interested in sponsoring the event or purchasing an advertisement in the event’s playbill to cheer on the contestants and to benefit the Morris Educational Foundation can download forms at www.morristownsgottalent.com.