All the contestants for VanCity Idol are now finalized!
Here are our lovely contestants and their respective schools:
Jiro Dumrique, from Charles Tupper
Hs name is Jiro Jerome Dumrique, but he prefers to be called Jiro. He is in Grade 10,representing Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School. He is 15 years old. He started to show his interest in Music at the age of 3. Singers that inspire him are Brian McKnight, Arnel Pineda and Chris Brown. He loves to sing during his spare time.
Kate Kurdyak, from Lord Byng
For 16-year-old Kate Kurdyak, music has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Kate has been singing with choirs since the age of 7. She plays the violin and viola in the Strings Program at Lord Byng Secondary School and she is currently working on her RCM grade 9 piano. Kate loves writing and performing her own music and in 2012 she received the Cultch’s Ignite! Songwriting Mentorship and she is currently ranked in the top 3 in BC’s Best Teen Band Contest. Kate can be found playing in local coffeehouses in and around Vancouver or busking on sunny days at Granville Island.
Rachel Laride, from Point Grey
Rachele Laride is an artistic sixteen year-old girl currently attending Point Grey Secondary School. Being only in her third year of high school, she is greatly involved in the music program as well as the sports program at Point Grey. She is extremely easy-going, friendly and some may even call her bubbly. She takes pleasure jamming with her friends and posting covers on Youtube. She not only dedicates her time to music & sports but also to her family and friends.
Min Young Hwang, from Prince of Wales
Min Young would never have imagined that bursting into song at home and excessively listening to her favourite songs would get her anywhere, but it somehow did! She’s tried pretty much everything, from Vocal Jazz to Musical Theatre, but her favourite remains to be soul music – mmm. Don’t be too surprised when she talks, though; she gets the “wow you sing?” a bit too often. Her #1 role model is Beyonce (she’s a beast); Min Young is also dying to learn the guitar. She looks forward to serenading you – and only you, baby – at VanCity Idol.
Jeemin Roh, from University Hill
Jeemin is a singer-songwriter that writes about memories, hope, childhood sweethearts, loss, and etc. Three winters ago, Jeemin got a guitar for a Christmas present. That’s when she began to sing and write her own songs. When she received such positive feedback about her music, she was initially surprised and then was encouraged to write and share more songs. Her songs are simply melodic confessions of a girl, where she writes out her heart and mind, and she hopes that you like them. Check out her songs at www.Youtube.com/hiseeyoulater and get a sneak peak for her performance!
Jasmine Traviss, from Sir Winston Churchill
Originally from Winnipeg, Jasmine moved to Vancouver when she was only one. She is a Grade 11 student at Sir Winston Churchill, and she has always had a love for music.
At 8 years old, Jasmine started her musical journey taking private Violin lessons. A year later she joined the Corelli Strings Orchestra, with which she is still involved with today, perfoming concerts for the public. Jasmine taught herself how to play the guitar. She wrote her first song a few years ago and recently perfomed that very song at the Biltmore for Talenttime TV. You may see Jasmine from time to time singing on youtube, or busking on Granville Island. Jasmine hopes to go to Concordia University to study Performing Arts.
Kaitlyn Boucher, from Kitsilano
Kaitlyn Hansen-Boucher goes to Kitsilano Secondary School. She loves performing. Whether she is dancing, singing, or acting she is always enjoying herself. Last year she played the role of ‘Babette’ in Beauty and The Beast, put on by Broadway Edge Musical theatre company. Kaitlyn is so grateful to be able to compete in this years VanCity Idol, she is thankful for the amazing oportunity.
Marylou Vilegas, from Kilarney
Marylou Villegas is a grade 8 student that goes to Killarney Secondary School. She loves to sing and started to sing practically since she was born. She enjoys sports like soccer and volleyball. Music is a big part in her life because it’s another way to express yourself in things other than just words. Marylou plays many instruments which include the piano, clarinet, and guitar. She has also participated in many singing contest, including ‘The Next Star’. Some of her inspirations would be Leona Lewis and Celine Dion. She believes that everyone has a dream, but to chase it is your own choice.
Jade Barcelon, from Gladstone
Timothy Ebio, from Vancouver Technical
This is Timothy! He is a very studious boy who takes school very seriously. His favourite class at school is choir and he enjoys singing to the greatest degree known to man. When he grows up he wants to be the first singing dermatologist on broadway. Out of all the singers in the world, his favourite is Danny Hathaway and his favourite song is “For All We Know” which he sang for his audition in VanCity Idol. His favourite colour is yellow because it stands out and he would really appreciate your vote. SO VOTE TIMOTHY EBIO!!!!!
Dj Tejada, from Windermere
Molly Boca, from King George
Kyla Domingo, from Eric Hamber
Kyla Domingo enjoys performing. She loves to do best in front of crowds that motivate her through her singing experience. Other than singing, she enjoys shooting baskets, spiking balls and giving it her all on the court as she does on stage. Her favourite genres to listen to and sing are soul and R&B. VanCity Idol will be a milestone in her life that will increase her singing experience. She is truly blessed to be a part of VanCity Idol . In another note, turquoise is her favourite colour and clowns scare her :)
Maya Ayque, from Britannia
Teresa Icasiano, from David Thompson
Teresa Icasiano started to sing as soon as she could talk, and began to write her own lyrics and songs when she was 8. She believes that music is her everything; her life, she is most inspired by her family and friends. Teresa’s love for music provided her with the courage to perform on stage and lead her to be a part of a music group called Virus Tower She was the lead singer and has performed at multiple events including the Vancouver Olympics. Teresa is currently active in her high school choir and juggles attending choir practice in the early mornings and keeping her good grades.
Sarah Sum, from Magee
Sarah Sum is a tenth grade student and a soprano in the Magee Chamber Choir. She has performed in Germany, Austria, and Italy with the Choir. In her free time, Sarah enjoys listening to records, writing songs, and singing loudly while playing the piano when no one else is at home. She loves to sing everything, from theatre to choral and opera to jazz. She is a fan of British television and indie bands. Sarah has many dreams for the future, some of which include moving to England, writing a novel, and appearing in Doctor Who.
Mike Arcangel, from John Oliver
Representing John Oliver Secondary school, we have the very talented Michael Arcangel. Mike or Mikey, for short, has repeatedly flourished in the arts department, with the addition of being extremely talented in drawing, art, music and dance. In and out of school, he’s performed at many events and concerts. Whether it’d be singing or dancing, he’s never failed to impress the audience with his performances, but his charismatic personality and his bright smile never goes unforgotten. At school he’s gained much popularity over the years with his school band “In 3D”, where he takes the role as the lead singer.
Holly Day, from Templeton
Congratulations and best of luck to all of the contestants!
Jennifer Yoon
VDSC Vice President