Every participant embraced this opportunity, creating an evening full of talent, emotion and pride. The audience enjoyed a variety of performances. Solos, duets, trios and bands showcased the result of more than a month of dedicated hard work. The night offered a mix of moments that made us smile and laugh and even left us completely speechless.

 

3rd Place - Zofia: Zofia opened the show with grace, setting the tone for a memorable evening. She began by introducing herself and presenting her song in French, making a special effort to bring the audience into her musical world. Her piano performance captivated the audience with her emotional interpretation. The judges were impressed by her stage presence, which exuded ease, as well as her unique cross-legged posture while playing—an unconventional detail that added to the charm of her performance.

 

2nd Place - Isabella, Luke, Jeremy, Eric, and Kimmy: This band closed the evening with a performance that made everyone want to dance. The synergic connection between Luke, Jeremy, Kimmy and Eric was already known by everyone since last year because of Cafe Cappuccino and Variety Show (great job, Soundtrax Club!). With the addition of Isabella’s voice and stage presence, their contagious energy, strong sense of camaraderie and undeniable talent left a lasting appreciation on the judges. The joy they shared on stage made the audience feel excited and energized. It is unbelievable to witness the growth of this young singer since her last performance at Variety Show two years ago 

1st Place - Axelle, Kimmy, Dahlia, and Alix: This group delivered a breathtaking performance that gave the audience chills. Axelle’s ability to express emotion through her singing really resonated with the judges, while her musicians created a beautiful and harmonious atmosphere that lifted the performance to a whole new level. Together, they made the evening unforgettable, marking it as the highlight of the event for many.

 

Earlier that day, Axelle played a perfect game; not letting a single goal through. A few hours later (quick shower, soundcheck and a sandwich), she followed it up with a first-place win. On stage, she was in her element, with her VG hockey teammates cheering her on, their loud support filling the Haskell House Opera with energy and love.

One of the evening’s most delightful moments was seeing siblings Jeremy and Dahlia Robert qualify for the regional finals with two separate acts. Although they will be competing against each other, I have no doubt they’ll cheer each other on with pride and support.

Kimmy's double qualification is not a surprise for anyone who knows this dedicated and involved student. She is gradually establishing herself as a leader who takes good care of younger musicians like Alix and Laurel, with whom she performed in a third act that same night.

Another standout surprise was our guest artist, Van Hoan Le. He spent the entire day with our students, sharing his professional expertise and offering helpful advice, tips and feedback. His generosity and encouragement inspired the young performers. The evening concluded with Van’s stunning performance of four original songs while the judges deliberated. His music naturally illustrated how emotions can be communicated without words, leaving a lasting impact on everyone in attendance.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved! This is just the beginning of an exciting artistic journey for some of our students. While the three bursary winners head to the regional finals  in April, I can't wait to see where this chapter takes all of our talented performers. The evening was a celebration of creativity, hard work and passion. I am incredibly proud of all they have accomplished, and I look forward to seeing what they will achieve next!

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