Peninsula youth feature in concerts

A number of young people from the Peninsula will take part in the 16th year of Youth In Performing Arts (YIPA) during five concerts from June 5 to 9.

The concerts will feature the "best young performers from the Central Coast", according to Laycock St Theatre marketing manager Ms Lisa Kelly.

Ms Kelly said that over 400 individuals and group acts auditioned in February for the program of 28 acts each night over five nights.

Each night's concert features a completely different program.

"Nat Backhouse, a 16-year-old dancer from Ettalong who currently attends Hunter School of Performing Arts in Broadmeadow, will perform a dance titled 'Jump Around'.

"Originally choreographed for a group, Nat has adapted it as a solo piece and added his own personal touch.

"Nat will perform at Saturday night's concert.

"Daniel Scarratt and his mates Daniel Thomson, Andy Clews and Liam Scarratt from Phegans Bay are an up and coming Rock Band who call themselves 'Mind Priorities'.

"They will perform a number titled 'Take Me Out' at Thursday night's concert.

"Ashleigh Knight from Woy Woy is just 13 and is a student of Brisbane Water Secondary College's Junior Campus.

"The young singer will perform a piece called 'Not Ready to Make Nice' and will appear at Thursday night's concert.

"Jessica Hind attends the Australian Institute of Music and lives at Umina Beach.

"She is just 16 years old and will sing 'I Dreamed a Dream' at Wednesday night's concert.

"Jessica will also perform a piece called 'War Is Over' at Friday night's concert.

"Joshua Keane from Umina Beach is also a student of the Brisbane Water Secondary College. Joshua will sing 'Let Me Entertain You' at Wednesday night's concert.

"He is just 13 years old and has appeared in the Gosford Musical Society Juniors production of Peter Pan, as well as receiving first, second and third place honours in various sections at the Central Coast Eisteddfod.

"Joshua was a regional finalist in MATS, and also appeared in Central Coast Showcase in 2006.

"Leanne Broadley leads the BWSC Choir on Wednesday night in a piece titled 'We're All In This Together'.

"Kate Leslie attends the Ku Ring Gai Creative Arts School and hails from Ettalong Beach.

"Kate will perform with Jessica Quoy (2006 YIPA Scholarship winner) and Lara Low at Tuesday night's concert singing the popular song 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy'.

"Kate, Jess and Lara call themselves 'The Alphabet Sisters' and are all keen performers involved in Gosford Musical Society Juniors.

"They have been working together for a few months and, although this is their first performance together, between the three girls they have many years experience.

"Kimberly Kelly from Empire Bay attends the BWSC Woy Woy Campus and will perform a monologue entitled 'The Audition' at Tuesday night's concert.

"She is one of a growing number of young dramatists performing monologues on stage at YIPA this year.

"Amanda Bruce from Umina will perform a piece called 'Addicted', with Cara Cerulli, also from Umina.

"The duo call themselves 'Haunted' and have performed at many festivals and eisteddfods. They appear on Tuesday night's concert as one of the opening acts."

Ms Kelly said another highlight on the program would be the appearance of dancers from the Veronica Law School of Highland Dancing.

"Eight young dancers, trained by International Award winning dancer Douglas McFarland, will appear on Friday night performing traditional Scottish Highland Dance," Ms Kelly said.

"These five professional concerts are a fantastic opportunity to see a variety of talented youth performing dance, drama, instrumentals, comedy and vocal, either individually or in groups.

"Performers also have the opportunity to receive scholarship funds which are donated from the proceeds of ticket sales, along with scholarships from local businesses and community groups.

"This year there are over $12,000 in scholarship funds available.

"A great night out for all the family with very reasonable ticket prices."

Concerts will be staged on Tuesday, June 5, Wednesday, June 6, Thursday, June 7, Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9.

All concerts will commence at 8pm

Press release, 24 May 2007 Lisa Kelly, Laycock St Theatre