The local youth in Kids VT‘s 2025 Spectacular Spectacular talent show don’t need a spotlight to shine — they are already stars! The young performers listed below impressed our panel of judges with their amazing auditions and now they’re ready to perform in person.
Cheer them on as they showcase their talents at noon on Saturday, December 6 at Higher Ground in South Burlington.
Thanks to everyone who submitted audition videos — and to our sponsors:
2025 Performers
Polina Alekhina
13, Vergennes
Singing “Once Upon a December” from Anastasia
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? Blackpink.
What are you grateful for? My new life in the U.S.
Who inspires you? My favorite singer, Lalisa Manobal.
What’s one thing that makes you unique? My height. I am the tallest girl in my middle school.
Uliana Alekhina
9, Vergennes
Singing “Snowman” by Sia
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? I would like to be able to stop time.
Who inspires you? My chorus teacher, Rachel Weinfeld.
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? “America’s Got Talent.”
The Amazing Dual Bow Duo
Amelia Quante, 12, Underhill
Jax Washburn, 12, Jericho
Performing “Dragonhunter” by Richard Meyer on cello and bass
If you could see any kind of show,
what would it be?
Amelia: The band Deerhoof.
Jax: Hamilton.
What are you grateful for?
Amelia: MUSIC.
Jax: My family, who have supported me through my musical journey.
What’s one thing that makes you unique?
Amelia: Art style and hobbies. I don’t know anyone else who enjoys throwing knives.
Jax: My lovely weirdness.
Alyce Ayer
12, Bolton Valley
Performing “Riptide” by Vance Joy
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? Broadway shows.
Who inspires you? My acting instructor, Mary Wheeler.
What are you grateful for?
For my dog Stella and this wonderful opportunity to perform.
Adim Benoit
13, Montpelier
Playing “Piano Man” by Billy Joel on the piano
What are you grateful for? I am grateful for my new piano that we got last year.
Who inspires you? My brother and my piano teacher inspire me to grow and play piano along with ultimate Frisbee and basketball.
What’s one thing that makes you unique? I speak fluent Russian and have relatives in Ukraine and Bulgaria whom I have visited many times.
Grace Castillo
10, Jericho
Singing “Taco’s Tirade” by Inanimate Insanity
Describe your act in two words. Amusing and ambitious.
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? I would turn into a rat.
Who inspires you? Katniss Everdeen.
What’s one thing that makes you unique?
I can draw really well.
Violet Chamberlin
12, Jericho
Performing an original spoken-word piece
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? I would choose a musical. I love the energy and emotion of live theater, and since I enjoy acting, singing and dancing, a musical brings all of my favorite things together in one magical experience.
What are you grateful for? All the opportunities I’ve been given and (hopefully) even more to come!
Who inspires you? KATSEYE — the global girl group. They inspire me to let my creativity shine through dancing and singing and make me think that I have a chance of becoming like them!
Lila Crowley
13, Middlesex
Singing “Shy” from Once Upon a Mattress
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? Teleportation, because then I could sleep later and still be on time for school.
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? I would see The Outsiders on Broadway again, but I would travel back to when Brody Grant played Ponyboy because … Brody Grant!
Who inspires you? I’m inspired by Taylor Swift because she overcomes difficulty and criticism and is a great role model for young people.
Henry Leitz
12, Jericho
Performing a guitar solo
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? I would have super speed because I love running. Currently I can run a mile in under six minutes, but with super speed I could run a mile in under a minute!
What are you grateful for? I am grateful for my family, especially my brother. Plenty of children don’t have siblings. I have a warm home filled with love and care because of them.
What’s one thing that makes you unique?
My ability to hyperfocus. It has helped so much in life. I have spent easily hundreds of hours playing guitar.
Molly McCarthy
13, St. Albans
Singing an original song, “Still Enough”
What’s one thing that makes you unique?
I started writing my own songs at a young age. I’m glad that I did and that now I can share them with people.
Who inspires you? My Dad, because he has helped me with music all of my life.
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? I would want to see the original cast of Hamilton on Broadway.
Lindy Moynihan
9, Underhill
Performing a lyrical dance to the song “Surrender” by Natalie Taylor
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be?
I’d see a famous dance company, like Boston Ballet.
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? Antigravity.
What are you grateful for? Dance!
Who inspires you? The older dancers at Vermont Ballet Company. I can’t wait until I’m in the VBT Company.
Theophilus Parkinson
7, Burlington
Performing yo-yo tricks
What are you grateful for? I am grateful for my family, food, my home and my yo-yos.
Who inspires me? Gentry Stein inspires me because he never gives up even if he messes up.
What’s one thing that makes you unique? I am a mixed kid, Mexican and Jamaican.
Poutine
A band from Shelburne featuring:
Eli Bart, 15
Jack Blazawicz, 14
Frank D’Amore, 14
Thomas Schramm, 15
Performing an original song, “Returns”
Describe your act in two words. Unfiltered fun.
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? We would see Woodstock 1969.
What are you grateful for?
This opportunity to play and showcase our music.
Lily Ryersbach
16, Starksboro
Singing “Zombie” by the Cranberries
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? Mind reading.
What’s one thing that makes you unique? Being an empath.
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? I would love to see another Broadway musical. It’s a magical experience!
Malhar Zach Sengupta
11, South Burlington
Describe your act in two words. Comedic genius.
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
Shape-shifting.
What are you grateful for? Family, friends and being alive.
What’s one thing that makes you unique? I can lighten up any situation with my humor.
Yvette Shedrick
11, Waterbury
Singing “Death of the Invader” from Princess Ida
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? Any stunning opera in Italy.
What are you grateful for? For the beauty in the world.
What’s one thing that makes you unique? I can sing really high and fairly low.
Who inspires you? The people who inspire me are my voice lesson teacher, Lillian, my good friends Nessa and Claire, and of course my Mom and Dad.
Jenna Sweeney
14, Georgia
Singing an original song, “Merry Christmas From Me”
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? I would love to see the United States Marine Band perform or a Broadway musical in NYC.
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? I would want the ability to be a prodigy at every instrument I pick up.
Who inspires you? Kyle Casazza, my former band teacher. He’s a phenomenal person and musician and has given me so many musical opportunities that I otherwise would not have pursued.
Eva Tarrant
14, South Burlington
Singing an original song, “Georgie”
Who inspires you? I am inspired by all my family and friends every day. I’m also inspired by so many artists, notably Taylor Swift, Tate McRae, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, KATSEYE and so many more.
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? Teleportation.
What’s one thing that makes you unique? I sing, dance and write my own songs.
Julian Trahan
15, Colchester
Performing a guitar solo
If you could see any kind of show, what would it be? Pink Floyd.
What are you grateful for? My parents.
What’s one thing that makes you unique? I practice the guitar every day.
Ella Twiggs
11, Shelburne
Performing on the piano
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? I would be a telepath and read thoughts.
What are you grateful for?
I am grateful for books and cats.
What’s one thing that makes you unique? I read more books than anyone I know. I have read over 60 books so far this year.
This article appears in Kids VT Winter 2025.