Talent tapped

By Nicole Williams
DANDENONG’S youth have got talent.
More than 47 participants took part in Urban Quest, a young talent competition, in October.
Supported by Mission Australia, the competition is organised by young people in Dandenong to empower young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“Organised by young people for young people, the event provides them with a space to freely express themselves and participate actively within the community,” Mission Australia spokesperson Rosemary Nelson said.
Winners were announced for the three categories: vocal, Cindy and Phillip; dance, PHAATZ and; Street (rap, beat-boxing and spoken word) and Sudo Boyz.
Sixteen-year-old Phillip and Cindy, 15, sang Endless Love, a duet by Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross, in the vocal category.
He said the competition has greatly increased his confidence.
“I lacked a lot of confidence in singing, but singing in front of a bigger crowd in front of a bigger audience really helped,” Phillip said.
Aiming to build on artistic and musical skills, participants attended a number of workshops and heats concluding with the talent competition on 23 October.
“The amount of young talent in Dandenong is unbelievable,” Ms Nelson said.
“We have been completely overwhelmed with the levelof professionalism and rawtalent displayed by all our participants.”
All winners will perform at Centre Court, Dandenong Plaza on Saturday 22 January 2011.