Step into the spotlight soiree & talent competition

Jeremy Grunin is President, Jay & Linda Grunin Foundation.  Jeremy has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the private sector where he managed teams of 1000+ employees responsible for over half a billion dollars in revenue.  Since 2013, Jeremy has been actively engaged throughout the community as President of the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, a proactive grantmaker focused on economic growth at the Central Jersey Shore. Jeremy is a Partner of Grunin Holdings, LLC., a New Jersey Partnership specializing in the development and management of commercial real estate, as well as investing in third party commercial ventures. In addition, Jeremy is the host of Topic A talk radio show every Sunday morning on 92.7 WOBM from 7AM to 11AM.

Colleen Finnegan Kahl, President, Actors Connection in NYC. 

Colleen is an experienced theatre arts educator, entrepreneur, consultant and community engagement leader.  Colleen has a well-rounded theatrical skillset having worked a professional actress, stage manager, producer and educator in both the NYC and regional theatrical markets. In 2017, her company, Enspirited Projects, was nominated as a top 3 innovative company for work in arts education and self-esteem along the Jersey Shore. Earlier this year, she was honored as a nominee for the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award at Ramapo College for her direct impact on aspiring performers.

Anna, stunt person, actress, entrepreneur.  Anna performed as a stunt person for 13 years in film and television doubling stars like Kate Winslet (Cigarettes and Romance), Goldie Hawn (First WIves Club), Drea Di Matteo (Adriana/Soprano's), Lauren Velez (NY Undercover). Movies, Independence Day, Spider Man 2 and Spider Man 3, Analyze That, Unconditional Love, The Rebound and earned a SAG AWARD for Stunt ensemble in Bourne Ultimatum. She has performed opposite Rita Moreno, Paul Sorvino and Mira Sorvino. Anna opened SOLE SHOES in 2001 in Westfield, NJ. Sole Shoes is an upscale boutique importing from Italy children's, women's and men's  shoes and accessories.

Tony  Nation has been a partner in Actors Connection, NY's leading networking/acting studio for actors for over 18 years and in Reproductions, the leading printing, imaging and video services company serving actors and performing artists nationwide for the past two years. His work with clients has led to hundreds of actors signing and freelancing with talent agencies, getting auditions and booking work as well as making huge progressions in their own acting careers. Currently, he has a recurring role on the CBS top 10 series BULL! A professional actor as well, he has thrilled audiences throughout his performing career from Off-Broadway to numerous regional theaters across the country, to film and TV, concerts and recordings.    For two years, he hosted the national entertainment show PREMIUM TV airing across the United States and in Canada.  Some of his other television credits include AS THE WORLD TURNS on CBS, the NBC TV series CONVICTION as well as ABC-TV's ONE LIFE TO LIVE.  Off-Broadway, he was one of the original cast members for FORBIDDEN BROADWAY 2001:  A Spoof Odyssey which was awarded the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical Revue.  Tony can also be heard on the original soundtrack for FORBIDDEN BROADWAY 2001 on DRG Records.

Felicia is an award-winning Broadway performer who has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway and many top regional theaters. Broadway: Original Linda in "The Wedding Singer"*, Amneris in "Aida", "Smokey Joe’s Café"*, Tanya in "Mamma Mia!", "The Life"* by Cy Coleman. Off-Broadway: "Forbidden Broadway"*, "The Wild Party" (MTC)*, "Bubbly Black Girl"*...(Playwrights Horizons), City Center "Encores!" National tours: "Happy Days"* as Pinky, "Jekyll and Hyde", "Jesus Christ Superstar". Most recently she was apart of the NY Times Critic's Pick called "Songbird"* as Tammy Trip at Two River Theater. Notably, her debut album, “Great Mood for a Tuesday” was hailed by critics, "reminiscent of American Classic Rock, Finley's album is evocative with blistering vocal sincerity and the artistry of a rock veteran!' She sends her love to her amazing and talented husband, Paul Stancato. (* denotes original company / cast recording.) Direct link to Felicia Finley on itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/great-mood-for-a-tuesday/id304141849#see-all/top-songs)

Anthony Patellis is an actor, director, and acting coach, with over 30 years of experience in all three disciplines. As an actor, he has worked all over the world. Most recently playing the role of Lt. Shrank, in an extended worldwide tour of the 50th Anniversary production of, West Side Story, premiering at La Scala Opera house, in Milan Italy, before moving on to 15 countries, on 3 continents. He has acted extensively, on stage, in New York City, as well as throughout most of North America. He has guest starred in national television shows including; Gotham, The Sopranos, Law & Order, New York Undercover, Crime Story, Family Ties, The Guiding Light. His films include; One Last Thing, I Think I Do, The Grift, and Team Marco, which will be in theatre’s in 2019.  Anthony is a national director for the hit Off-Broadway comedy, Tony ‘N Tina’s Wedding, and has directed it across the country. He has also directed the successful Off-Broadway productions; Totie, Lobster Tales, Waiting For My Man, as well as many regional productions, including an encore production of Lobster Tales, in London, England. On-camera, Anthony directed 40 episodes of the successful web-series, Patty And Patty, and just completed directing 8 episodes of a new web-series, along with a 30 minute pilot episode, of Brittany Portman’s, Hooked.  Anthony has been an acting teacher, and private coach for 20 years, working with many talented professional actors on Broadway, motion pictures, and television. His extensive training includes working with famed acting teachers, Lee Strasberg, in his master classes, Stella Adler, as an actor, and for script interpretation. He was a professional observer at the Actors Studio for many years.

Kayla Caffrey is the Owner/Operator of Idol Time Vocal Academy in Brick, NJ.  Kayla began singing at age seven.  She has received over 20 years of vocal training and has a diversified range of performance experience.  She toured NJ as a lead in the original rock opera “Day After Day” and produced solo benefit concerts for autism awareness; receiving special recognition for her composition of the single “In Her Smile” about her younger sister who has autism.  Kayla has performed at  the Stone Pony, The Strand Theatre, The Count Basie, and The Algonquin. Performing as the opening act for KC and The Sunshine Band, and winning many local and regional titles such as “Rock N’ Idol”, WNEW Vocal Star, Ocean Star, and Beyer Ford Idol have been fun highlights in her singing career.  Kayla received a full scholarship to study vocal pedagogy with a professor from Columbia University.

To vote for Kayla – www.applaudourkidsstepintothespotlight.eventbrite.com.

Carolyn Hester lives in Manchester, NJ, but is originally from NY. At 3 years old Carolyn sang on stage at an Italian festival and at 7 she won a scholarship for singing lessons and ballet lessons at the Old Metropolitan Opera House. Carolyn appeared on the Bruce Marrow Show (Cousin Brucie).  At age 18 she recorded for Kama Sutra Productions under the Jubilee Label. Her songs, “Who are You” and “Funny Face” made the top of the charts on Billboard and Cashbox. After having her two daughters, Carolyn went back to school and became a registered nurse at Lutheran Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering.  After losing her second husband to ALS, she began singing again with a performer at restaurants and other venues. She feels she is now getting back into the love and part of the life where she belongs.  

To vote for Carolyn - https://applaudourkidsstepintothespotlight.eventbrite.com.

Originally a Jersey girl, EL currently lives in NYC making music happen! Her latest performance was on Minetta St. in Greenwich Village, where she sang alongside guitarist, Greg Askins. There, she sang everything from jazz to pop to classical. She is a graduate of IAR (Institute of Audio Research) in NYC, where she studied Music Entertainment and Management. EL is also an alumni of OCVTS PAA (Performing Arts Academy). At this time, she is working for a music publishing company in lower Manhattan. EL has three different CD’s, all originals, available on the major digital platforms (iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, etc). She is grateful and excited to give back in a way that allows young people to follow their calling in the arts—it’s a beautiful thing that Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids helps make possible. Big hugs to her ever-supportive parents and her love, Jesse.    

To vote for EL-  https://applaudourkidsstepintothespotlight.eventbrite.com.

Danielle Bagdzinski lives in Toms River and is the Marketing Manager for Cowan, Gunteski & Co., P.A. She is trained in ballroom dance, and has participated in several competitions and showcases throughout the tri-state area. She also taught part-time at Shall We Dance Ballroom Studio in Toms River, NJ. She was recently a member of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s 2017 Dancing with our Monmouth & Ocean County Stars committee. Danielle received the 2017 Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Phenomenal Women Under 40 Award. 

Michael Henrich, is an Accountant at Cowan, Gunteski & Co., P.A. He is also co-chair of the firm’s internship program and attends various career fairs around the state. Community involvement is an important attribute in Michael’s career. When asked just five days before the Applaud Our Kids Foundation’s Step into the Spotlight Soiree audition to dance a Cha Cha with his colleague, he went full force knowing that if selected he would have a chance to make a difference in the lives of children in our community. 

To vote for Danielle & Mike - https://applaudourkidsstepintothespotlight.eventbrite.com.

Tara Eccles-Frye is the owner and director of Emotion In Motion Dance Center in Middletown, NJ. She has over 25 years of dance training with over 18 years teaching experience. She is a Five-time Count Basie Theatre nominee for Outstanding Choreography in a Musical. Tara has also received countless choreography, creative concept, technique and overall scoring awards at both regional and national competitions, including choreographing for the winner of the All American Cheer and Dance Awards in Hawaii for two consecutive years. She has served as an Education Board member at Phoenix Productions in Red Bank, NJ where she is a teaching artist for their triple threat musical theatre summer camps, one day workshops and adult tap classes. 

Leigh Emery is the Chief Compliance Officer at a network of 50 investment advisors across the country. By night, Leigh is the proud co-founder & Creative Director of Broadway Lights the Night, a non-profit that produces musical performance events for charitable causes. 

To vote for Tara and Leigh - https://applaudourkidsstepintothespotlight.eventbrite.com.

Kassie began dancing at a local studio in Monmouth County, NJ at the age of 7. She then joined the competition team where she was regionally and nationally recognized on a competitive level. Kassie attended Ocean County Vocational Technical School's Performing Arts Academy where she received her high school diploma with a concentration in dance. While in high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. Kassie studied at various summer intensives such as Point Park University’s International Summer Dance, The Joffrey’s Ballet Summer Intensive, and the MetDance Professional Intensive where she trained under world-renowned teachers and choreographers. Kassie continued her education attending Point Park University, graduating in 2016 with a BA in dance, concentrating in jazz technique. After graduation, Kassie studied at Broadway Dance Center in New York City for their Professional Semester Program. Currently, Kassie is an apprentice at Nickerson-Rossi Dance in Philadelphia.

To vote for Kassie – https://applaudourkidsstepintothespotlight.eventbrite.com