In the first St. Louis Teen Talent Competition held by Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation at the Fabulous Fox theater, Circus Harmony was there. What follows is a list of our finalists, but please note we have had some very talented teens in the opening rounds and semi finals over the years. Our aerial artist, Mei Ling, was a finalist in that first 2011 competition. The next year, 2012, Kellin Quinn took third place with his unique juggling. We didn’t make the finals in 2013, but our Daring Donesha wowed everyone when she took first place with her hula hooping in 2014! Then, it wasn’t until juggler Sean Petric made the finals in 2018 that we were back in the game. In 2019, Sean was back in the finals plus our KO Duo, Kyran Walton and Oliver Layer, took third with their partner acrobatic act. In 2020, Sean made the finals for a third time and was joined by our aerial duo, Midnight Rose, Sabrina Skaggs and Jahlah Baum. Finn McNamee made the Teen Talent finals for the first time with his chair balancing act in 2021. This year, Finn was in the finals with a hoop diving act and partner acrobatic trio, Trifecta, composed of brothers Dennis and Eliot Bailey along with their childhood friend, Ethan Ryan. If you have somehow missed it, Trifecta tied for first place!!!
In general, circus is not a competitive activity. In fact, we rather pride ourselves that circus is a performance art for physical people and a skill-based physical activity for those who love to perform. In Circus, you win when you work together to create an act or a show. American Youth Circus Conferences are all about sharing what you know and showing what you can do.
That being said, there are circus competitions for youth and adults around the world. There are talent contests at schools and community organizations. Here, in St. Louis, St. Louis Teen Talent Competition is the biggest and the finals take place on the glorious Fox Theatre stage plus are filmed and shown on PBS Channel 9. It is a lovely opportunity to be noticed, seen, and celebrated. The cash and scholarship prizes ($8000 for first place) are not bad, either.
So, a number of staff, students, and families from Circus harmony were in the Fox Theater on February 11 when Finn performed his heroic hoop diving act and Trifecta presented their comedy partner acrobatic act. In addition to our current coaches, both acts had been guest coached by our alumni, former third palace Teen Talent winner, Kellin Quinn. (We love those little connections!)
Trifecta’s act was perfect in technique, character, presence, and timing. Finn’s was flawless until the last hoop. Both acts were wonder-full! Then, it was up to the judges. And…. drumroll please… first palace was a tie! They announced the first winner, singer Aubory Bugg! With all the applause for her, Trifecta did not, at first, hear or realize that they were the other first palace winners!!! They also won the I Award for most imaginative, inspired, and inventive act.
In the end, it is also just lovely to have all the hard work of the flying children and the creative coaches appreciated and acknowledged. And, if you missed it, and are in the St. Louis area, you can see it on Nine PBS at 7 pm on April 11. Or, even better, you can catch these acts in their home ring at City Museum! After all, this is the ring that serves as the launching pad of champions! Come be amazed!
