Kids Aspiring to Dream hosted a pre-audition on March 8 at First Christian Church. The event was a preview of an upcoming talent showcase in June. (Contributed Photo)

Kids Aspiring To Dream, also known as KATD, held its first Talent Night of Discoveries on March 8 at the First Christian Church in Tyler. The event was filled with the talent of members of Kids Aspiring to Dream, highlighting what East Texas offers.

Highlights of the event included artist Chynna Wilson and performers Kianna Sanchez and Anorah Johnson, along with Andrea Johnson, who all gave stunning and stirring solo performances. The exceptional talents of Belen Coss were displayed in a musical rendition performance on the cello.

New faces were introduced to include Samuel Antonio, a jazz saxophonist, who along with his ensemble band – The Pocket – energized the audience with two musical jazz selections. Will Vogle inspired and elevated the evening with a masterful performance of a violin solo. Then Hudson Layne’s Rose Revival group added even more layers of talent to the evening with their harmonious sounds.

As Kids Aspiring To Dream focuses on both the visual and Performing arts, special guest artists of both these areas were invited to share their gifts during the evening. Hayden Reynolds and Mekenna Booze presented outstanding artworks from their portfolio as former distinguished SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) graduates.

The night concluded with renowned singer and Christian recording artist, Nancy Michelle Taylor, who ended the program by singing “I Can Only Imagine.”

The program served as a pre-audition for those who will become part of Kids Aspiring To Dream’s upcoming talent premiere event called ‘Showcase Sunday,’ which will be from 5 – 7 p.m. on June 9 at the Liberty Theatre in Downtown Tyler.

The live production will serve as a platform to introduce many homegrown emerging and rising stars.

Kids Aspiring To Dream board members – Doris Batson, Executive Director of KATD, Tricia Billington, Vice President and Sandra Nauls-Mast, Associate Director – are excited to have the gifted talents of Pamela Erwin and Jessilyn Taylor to serve in vital roles as planning and advisory coordinators of the showcases.

“We are all proud to applaud the talents of our young people, who are aspiring to dream and to continue to provide for them a spotlight to showcase their exceptional talents,” Batson said.

Those who may be interested in participating in Kids Aspiring To Dream’s first season, upcoming showcase in June – and who are, ages 10 and up, talented as a musician, singer, poet, dancer and/or actor – are welcome to submit their information online, by visiting the website, www.kidsaspiringtodream.com, or contacting Doris Batson by phone at 903-330-7473.