College of DuPage Hosts Fourth Annual Student Talent Competition

College of DuPage student Myles Henderson, a first-year music major from Woodridge, accepts the first-place award for his vocal and piano improvisation at “COD’s Got Talent,” the fourth annual student talent show competition held April 26 at the College’s McAninch Arts Center.

View photos of the competition.

The second-place award went to flautist Lydia Walquist, of Lisle, for her performance of “Fantasie” by Gabriel Faure. Nekia Nicole Pearson, of Waukegan, took third place for her vocal performance of “I Know Where I’ve Been” by Marc Shaiman.

Winners were selected based on a variety of factors, including choice of selection, presentation, talent and skill, enthusiasm, presentation and audience participation.

Additional performances included Amira Abuargoub (Glendale Heights) singing “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse; Janelle Hammond (Naperville) singing “Shallow” from the film “A Star is Born;” Paige Kalantzis (Naperville) singing “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley; Christian Sanchez (Wheaton) performing his original song “Recursion” on multiple instruments using live looping; John “Tryggy” Trygstad (Naperville) playing piano and singing “Death of a Bachelor” by Panic! At the Disco; Ashley Turner (West Chicago) singing “Don’t Know Why” by Jesse Harris; and Alex Vidales (Glendale Heights) with a vocal percussion performance.

Opening with a performance by Michael McInerny, last year’s first place winner, the event also included a performance by the student-run COD Gospel Choir featuring members Lorenzo Barbin, Robert Guthrie Jr., Jana Hames, Myles Henderson, Donnea Jackson, Miray McElroy, De’Janae Morris, Morgan Mott, Regente Myers, Sunny Salman and Alex Vidales.