Home-grown talent from Sandwell showcased at the SHAPE Your Talent Grand Final with performances from six finalists to compete for a prize of £500.

Following open auditions in April, a public vote was held with an overwhelming response on social media of over 6000 votes cast, 6 finalists were chosen to compete in the first SHAPE Your Talent shoe held at Sandwell College, West Bromwich. They competed for a prize of £500.

9-13 category

1st Prize – Miss Starrs’ Little Stars

2nd Prize – Sophie Jade

3rd Prize – Flavia Muka

14-19 category

1st Prize – Emily Badger

2nd Prize – Wesley Rolston

3rd Prize – Revelations

The SHAPE Your Talent Grand final was held at Sandwell College Central Campus.

The show was hosted by ex-Hollyoaks actress and singer-songwriter Abi Phillips who also performed one of her songs.

The judging panel consisted of who Creative Director of Aston Performing Arts Academy Truchio Powell, classical Indian dancer and finalist of BBC Young dancer of the year Vidya Patel, dancer Mckennen Reidfinnikin better known as Kenny Reid and they were joined by celebrity guest Jake Quickenden who shot to fame on the ITV shows X Factor and I’m a Celebrity get me out of Here! Jake also performed at the show.

It was a wonderful night and the audience filled with young people and families thoroughly enjoyed the talent on show.

SHAPE Your Talent Finalists

9-13 year category

Flavia Muka

I have a very special talent that lots of people adore and it would be a great opportunity when I get older! I also have great confidence when I’m singing on stages and singing my heart out! When I get older I might even be lucky enough to be a singer or even a singing teacher to also help other children shape their talent.

Miss Starrs’ Little Stars

We are a group of dancers aged 9-11 from St John’s Primary Academy in Wednesbury. In September we began an after school dance club with one of our Learning Supports Miss Starrs. Since September we have performed at Wednesbury Christmas lights switch on, Merry Hill and also Birmingham library for a cultural evening. We are lucky to have staff and parents that fully support and appreciate out hard work. We are very enthusiastic about performing and have loved the ‘SHAPE Your Talent’ experience so far. We received very positive comments from the judges who noticed out ‘Love to Dance’ attitude. We are not given these types of opportunities very often and would appreciate your support. Thank you.

Sophie Jade

I am so happy and excited to have got through to this stage. I lack a lot of self-confidence and my passion for music and singing has got me through tough times in my first year at school. Being constantly told you’re a nobody, makes you feel worthless and alone. It would be amazing to win so I can show people my true potential as I was nervous at the auditions and not used to singing with a microphone.

14-19 year category

Revelations

Revelations are a diverse dance group that ranges from the ages 12-18. We are a committed after school dance crew that takes place at Phoenix Collegiate. We create all our own choreography and explore different dance genres as a team. We are all from different backgrounds but come together as a family to create inspiring, and energetic choreography to give off an atmosphere of enjoyment for our audience. Our passion is to dance.

Emily Badger

Singing and performing is my vocation, it is all I have ever wanted to do. I am 15 years old and live in Sandwell, until a few months ago, I also attended a Sandwell school. I moved to BOA in Birmingham as this school allows me to follow my dreams. I have performed at many Sandwell events to including the turning on the Christmas lights and festivals in Blackheath, Wednesbury and Oldbury. I have performed at the Mayor’s Christmas ball which is a charity event, I have done other chairty events as well. What i consider to be a magical experience was being allowed to sing at the WBA ground. The songs I like to perform are theater songs, pop music and ballads.

Wesley Rolston

I am acting in order to give you a choice. My performance is aimed at allowing you to shape your opinions on life: from when we are schoolchildren, to when we are in relationships and then when we grow older. I hope to continue this endeavour to educate everyone equally. Therefore, more people like you will be able to understand who they are in life and who they want to become, as they perform on the stage of life. This individuality we all have should be discovered as the social, economic and political elements are constantly changing around us, leading us to forget ourselves sometimes.

Judges

Jake Quickenden is a singer who has appeared on reality television shows. He was a contestant on the ninth and eleventh series of The X Factor in 2012 and 2014, before being runner-up in series 14 of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in December 2014.

Abi Phillips is an actress, singer-songwriter from Birmingham. She is best known for playing Liberty Savage in British soap-opera Hollyoaks and her debut single ‘Summer Sunshine’.

Vidya is a Kathak dancer and one of the Grand Finalists and South Asian Category Finalist Winner of the BBC Young Dancer 2015 competition. The Grand Final took place at the prestigious Sadlers Wells main stage and was broadcasted live on BBC2 earlier this May. She comes from Birmingham, where she participated in classical Indian dance styles from an early age with the support of her parents and two older sisters. She also graduated last year from the Centre of Advanced Training at Birmingham DanceXchange. She is training under the guidance of Sujata Banerjee at the Sujata Banerjee Dance School based in London.

Vidya is now committed to training further in Kathak. Ultimately, she aims to develop her career as a dancer, choreographer and producer in the performing arts.

Truchio Powell found his passion for music and performing at the tender age of 8 where he did duets with his twin brother for church members and school peers. Truchio joined APPA (Aston Performing Arts Academy) in 2010 as the Creative and Events Director and is also responsible for the overall project management of events presentation and performance.

Tashon Tyler started singing when he was around the ages of 6-7, then started professionally making music when he was 13 and has been recording for 6 years. Tashon went on tour to support Tinchy Stryder in 2013 and recently signed a 6 month contract to MachéMoneyRecords. 

Mekennen Reidfinnikin, better known as Kenny Reid, is a dancer and choreographer who has contributed to over 20 awarding titles including UDO Best Duo New Comer World Championships and the West Midlands Best Dance Crew Battle! As a dancer and choreographer Kenny has mentored over 30 under 18’s to have the confidence to perform live in front of large crowds.