Meet the 2018 F.A.M.E. Finalists
Dakota Alessandrini
Dakota is from Crown Point, Indiana and has been dancing since she was three at the Indiana Ballet Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana. One of her goals is to become a Pediatric Physician's Assistant and she is working toward that at Valparaiso University. Dakota has worked with dance students of all ages and want to mentor young dancers. If she wins the award from F.A.M.E. she would be able to afford classes to pursue a dance pedagogy minor and become certified to teach dance classes in the future. Dakota choreographed her own routine and dedicate it to her mother and father who have literally and figuratively “raised her up” to fulfill her every passion and dream, no matter how big or small.
Dakota is from Crown Point, Indiana and has been dancing since she was three at the Indiana Ballet Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana. One of her goals is to become a Pediatric Physician's Assistant and she is working toward that at Valparaiso University. Dakota has worked with dance students of all ages and want to mentor young dancers. If she wins the award from F.A.M.E. she would be able to afford classes to pursue a dance pedagogy minor and become certified to teach dance classes in the future. Dakota choreographed her own routine and dedicate it to her mother and father who have literally and figuratively “raised her up” to fulfill her every passion and dream, no matter how big or small.
Jasmin Williams
Jasmin is a multi-lingual native Chicagoan who has lived, worked and studied with various companies, programs and Grammy award winning artists in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Western Europe. Jasmin was on work-study at the Lou Conte Dance Studio and apprenticed with Cerqua Riviera before travel to Europe. Upon return Jasmin wrote and performed songs for the musical “Out of the Blu” which debuted at the Harris Theatre. She’s been featured at the Promontory as a vocalist and is now training, choreographing, performing, and vocally recording work throughout the city. With this monetary award; she will pay her musicians more, and finish the recording of her EP entitled: “A lot of God, a lil ego.”
Jasmin is a multi-lingual native Chicagoan who has lived, worked and studied with various companies, programs and Grammy award winning artists in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Western Europe. Jasmin was on work-study at the Lou Conte Dance Studio and apprenticed with Cerqua Riviera before travel to Europe. Upon return Jasmin wrote and performed songs for the musical “Out of the Blu” which debuted at the Harris Theatre. She’s been featured at the Promontory as a vocalist and is now training, choreographing, performing, and vocally recording work throughout the city. With this monetary award; she will pay her musicians more, and finish the recording of her EP entitled: “A lot of God, a lil ego.”
Gabriel Hartman
At the age of 4, Gabriel started dancing with the Indiana Ballet Theatre. He performed in roles such as Fritz, Chinese, Nutcracker, and Snow King in the Nutcracker Ballet. He also was Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty and the Summer Fairy partner in Cinderella. In the fall of 2017, Gabriel began attending A & A Ballet as a Conservatory student along with continuing his studies at the Indiana Ballet Theatre. He is thankful for his family and all the sacrifices that they willingly make which allows him to study and pursue his dream of becoming a professional dancer.
At the age of 4, Gabriel started dancing with the Indiana Ballet Theatre. He performed in roles such as Fritz, Chinese, Nutcracker, and Snow King in the Nutcracker Ballet. He also was Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty and the Summer Fairy partner in Cinderella. In the fall of 2017, Gabriel began attending A & A Ballet as a Conservatory student along with continuing his studies at the Indiana Ballet Theatre. He is thankful for his family and all the sacrifices that they willingly make which allows him to study and pursue his dream of becoming a professional dancer.
Juliana Omokheyeke
Juliana is a 20-year-old singer/songwriter from Houston Texas. She developed a deep connection to music and singing at a very young age. She says music was an escape growing up from school drama and family issues. She struggled with fitting in and feeling accepted in school and she says when singing made her feel accepted. Juliana sings and writes songs to let her emotions out in a healthy way that others can relate to. When she joined choir and turned to singing, she quickly learned that she was not alone. Juliana's number one goal is to inspire and uplift people. If there is a way to brighten up someone's day or connect to someone in a positive way through my music, she wants to do it.
Juliana is a 20-year-old singer/songwriter from Houston Texas. She developed a deep connection to music and singing at a very young age. She says music was an escape growing up from school drama and family issues. She struggled with fitting in and feeling accepted in school and she says when singing made her feel accepted. Juliana sings and writes songs to let her emotions out in a healthy way that others can relate to. When she joined choir and turned to singing, she quickly learned that she was not alone. Juliana's number one goal is to inspire and uplift people. If there is a way to brighten up someone's day or connect to someone in a positive way through my music, she wants to do it.
Lindsey Lanham
Lindsey has been dancing since the age of three and has performed in a variety of ballet roles including The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. She is currently dancing with the Indiana Ballet Theatre. In 2015, Lindsey was involved in a car accident that left me very ill with broken bones and extensive nerve damage. Lindsey decided to use dance as a way to heal from all the trauma of the accident. While working with the Dance Movement Therapist, Amanda Tuohy, she created movements that would express my feelings in a way that words could not do. Lindsey is currently studying finance at Loyola University. If she were to win the award from F.A.M.E., she will use the money to start a program similar to the one Amanda Tuohy used to help her recover from my injuries.
Lindsey has been dancing since the age of three and has performed in a variety of ballet roles including The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. She is currently dancing with the Indiana Ballet Theatre. In 2015, Lindsey was involved in a car accident that left me very ill with broken bones and extensive nerve damage. Lindsey decided to use dance as a way to heal from all the trauma of the accident. While working with the Dance Movement Therapist, Amanda Tuohy, she created movements that would express my feelings in a way that words could not do. Lindsey is currently studying finance at Loyola University. If she were to win the award from F.A.M.E., she will use the money to start a program similar to the one Amanda Tuohy used to help her recover from my injuries.
Brian Jackson
Brian loved performing from a very young age. Whether it was singing, acting, dancing, or writing, he tried his best to indulge in the arts as much as possible. He started early on singing in church in the praise team and choir, and from then on he made a habit of singing whenever he could. Commercial and theatre acting training also reserved some time in his schedule and he began to fall even deeper in love with the arts. Brian is a Musical Theatre major and Music Business minor at Columbia College Chicago, where he is fortifying his artistry and pursuing his goals in the city. He intends to use his talents to lead and inspire others to follow their purposes and use the arts to shift the focus of society towards God.
Brian loved performing from a very young age. Whether it was singing, acting, dancing, or writing, he tried his best to indulge in the arts as much as possible. He started early on singing in church in the praise team and choir, and from then on he made a habit of singing whenever he could. Commercial and theatre acting training also reserved some time in his schedule and he began to fall even deeper in love with the arts. Brian is a Musical Theatre major and Music Business minor at Columbia College Chicago, where he is fortifying his artistry and pursuing his goals in the city. He intends to use his talents to lead and inspire others to follow their purposes and use the arts to shift the focus of society towards God.
Haley Peterson
Haley was born in the Chicagoland area and loves the city's culture. She says she dances because it fills her soul with purpose and a sense of self. Dance gives Haley hope and a belief that pure happiness and acceptance is possible. At Columbia College, she studies and performs so she can eventually become a professional and share her education with others. At Turning Pointe Dance Company, she has helped mentor young dancers and she has taken part in dance programs in Los Angeles, Orlando, and Branson. If she were to win the F.A.M.E. Award, she says she would use it to help pay student loans, intensives, workshops, and audition material. Haley believes with the help of F.A.M.E. she can reach her goals.
Haley was born in the Chicagoland area and loves the city's culture. She says she dances because it fills her soul with purpose and a sense of self. Dance gives Haley hope and a belief that pure happiness and acceptance is possible. At Columbia College, she studies and performs so she can eventually become a professional and share her education with others. At Turning Pointe Dance Company, she has helped mentor young dancers and she has taken part in dance programs in Los Angeles, Orlando, and Branson. If she were to win the F.A.M.E. Award, she says she would use it to help pay student loans, intensives, workshops, and audition material. Haley believes with the help of F.A.M.E. she can reach her goals.
Andrew Johnston
Andrew has been singing since he was four. To help support himself through school, Andrew started performing on the streets of Chicago, and attributes much of his success to the support of people walking by. Andrew has gone on to be featured as a singer on Windy City Live, and The Steve Harvey Show. In addition, he is currently in the final stages to make it onto America's Got Talent for the season beginning in May of this year. Just recently, he has received shout outs on social media by, Chicago's very own, Jennifer Hudson, and Grammy Award winner, Sam Smith. When asked how he felt about this whirlwind adventure, Andrew said, “When I stopped taking ‘no’ for an answer and started thinking of it as ‘not yet,’ doors began to open. The only no I take for an answer now is, NO LIMIT.”
Andrew has been singing since he was four. To help support himself through school, Andrew started performing on the streets of Chicago, and attributes much of his success to the support of people walking by. Andrew has gone on to be featured as a singer on Windy City Live, and The Steve Harvey Show. In addition, he is currently in the final stages to make it onto America's Got Talent for the season beginning in May of this year. Just recently, he has received shout outs on social media by, Chicago's very own, Jennifer Hudson, and Grammy Award winner, Sam Smith. When asked how he felt about this whirlwind adventure, Andrew said, “When I stopped taking ‘no’ for an answer and started thinking of it as ‘not yet,’ doors began to open. The only no I take for an answer now is, NO LIMIT.”
Teh’Ray Hale & Derrick Judkins
Teh'Ray and Derrick are 2 Hip-Hop dancers from Chicago,Illinois. They formed a partnership in the winter of 2017, combining Derrick’s explosive movement and lyrical style with Teh’Ray’s intricate and musicality based style of dance. The duo uses their dynamic choreography to give viewers the best of both worlds using many Hip-Hop based movements such as Bboying, tutting, popping, gliding, and much more. Teh'Ray and Derrick say they face discrimination of both their race as well as their less predominant style in the Chicago dance scene. They both dance to inspire those who face the same discrimination. They also say they look to prove that you can do anything when you have determination and teamwork.
Teh'Ray and Derrick are 2 Hip-Hop dancers from Chicago,Illinois. They formed a partnership in the winter of 2017, combining Derrick’s explosive movement and lyrical style with Teh’Ray’s intricate and musicality based style of dance. The duo uses their dynamic choreography to give viewers the best of both worlds using many Hip-Hop based movements such as Bboying, tutting, popping, gliding, and much more. Teh'Ray and Derrick say they face discrimination of both their race as well as their less predominant style in the Chicago dance scene. They both dance to inspire those who face the same discrimination. They also say they look to prove that you can do anything when you have determination and teamwork.
Sarita
From a very young age, Sarita felt a connection to music and knew she wanted to be a singer. She worked very hard to graduate with honors from Columbia College in Chicago with a Bachelor's degree in vocal performance. She says her passion for singing has blessed her with the opportunity to share the stage with artists such as John Faddis, Koko Taylor, Darmond Meader, Claudio Rodito, Otis Taylor, Ivan Neville, and Charlie Sexton. If Sarita were to win the F.A.M.E. Award, she says she would use it to fund voice lessons so she can continue in her exploration of voice and self.
From a very young age, Sarita felt a connection to music and knew she wanted to be a singer. She worked very hard to graduate with honors from Columbia College in Chicago with a Bachelor's degree in vocal performance. She says her passion for singing has blessed her with the opportunity to share the stage with artists such as John Faddis, Koko Taylor, Darmond Meader, Claudio Rodito, Otis Taylor, Ivan Neville, and Charlie Sexton. If Sarita were to win the F.A.M.E. Award, she says she would use it to fund voice lessons so she can continue in her exploration of voice and self.
