PERFORMING AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL FOR GARDEN OF DREAM’S “BEYOND A DREAM” 2022 TALENT SHOW
Every year, the Garden of Dreams Foundation hosts its beloved Talent Show at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City. This annual event brings together more than 150 young performers from various foundations, all united in a mission to support peers facing life’s challenges. I first auditioned through Make-A-Wish New Jersey in 2019 for a 2020 performance, but due to the COVID-19 quarantine, the show was postponed indefinitely. Then, in 2022, my dream finally came true when I was invited back for my moment in the spotlight. I had the incredible opportunity to perform a solo as one of the final acts, choosing “Waiting On A Miracle” from the trending Disney movie Encanto.
In the months leading up to that performance, I underwent several major orthopedic surgeries that left me wheelchair-bound, putting a pause on my upperclassmen years of high school. I felt as if I were falling behind my peers, missing my chance to shine. The song “Waiting On A Miracle” perfectly captured the mix of emotions I had been struggling with, so I embraced the opportunity to pour my heart out on that great stage.
As you may be able to tell from the emotions in my voice while singing… this was truly an incredible moment for me! Getting to have a dedicated performance honoring my story, both past and present, and being able to feel so much love and support all at once was something that I still cherish to this day. I connected with amazing people, made new friends, and, with the invaluable mentorship from the Garden of Dreams Foundation, gradually overcame my stage fright and performance anxiety.
My journey with the Talent Show didn’t stop there. In 2023, Make-A-Wish New Jersey invited me to serve as a judge at their annual talent show held at the Make-A-Wish New Jersey Castle. This event not only provided a wonderful opportunity to reconnect but also helped identify potential talent to audition for the upcoming Garden of Dreams Talent Show. Having been through the audition process myself back in 2019, it felt like a full circle moment to be the one sitting in the judge’s seat. I even learned that my inclusion as a judge started a new tradition, with Make-A-Wish New Jersey always including one alumni judge for their talent shows moving forward.
In 2024, I returned to the Make-A-Wish Castle to watch a new generation of performers and to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s brand-new stage. I was thrilled to see familiar faces—like Hamilton’s Christopher Jackson—and to reconnect with my Garden of Dreams and Make-A-Wish families, relationships that I hold dear and hope to continue nurturing.
Click here to watch the full 2024 Dreams To Reality Talent Show! I’m featured as an alumni performer in the opening and closing numbers.
And click here to see the blog post on the Garden of Dream Foundation’s website highlighting my performance!
