Breeze Has Talent

Breeze has Talent auditions took place on June 28th at The Carriageworks in Leeds. There was a great attendance and acts from singers, dancers, baton twirlers and magicians turned up.

The semi final heats took place during the summer at Breeze on Tour. Fifteen acts were picked to go through to the finals on Sunday 21st September at The Carriageworks Theatre.

To watch all the semi finalists first auditions click here.

The fifteen finalists are...

To watch any of the finalists simply click on their name to view the You Tube link.

INNER SENSE (band) are Jordan Saggu – vocals/rhythm guitar; 
Greg Forbes – lead guitar; Luke Apolinarski – bass and Luke Saggu – drums. The band have been together since December 2007 as a three piece, with Greg joining just two months ago. Plans for the future include a record deal and playing to sold out venues!

SONGBIRDS (vocal duo) originally a quartet, Songbirds Claire Howarth and Hannah Alexis had to cope with their two co-singers dropping out the day before their Breeze on Tour heat. Undeterred, they pulled a band together and learned a new song in 24 hours! Together they want to “show young people anything is possible and whatever obstacles are in your way you can overcome them”.

SUKBIR KAUR (poet) currently poet in residence for West Yorkshire Police, wrote her first poem two years and five months ago and writes for the love of it. Being on stage makes her feel happy and strong: she feels her poems have a lot to offer and told Breeze she wants her writing to empower and benefit others.

SALLY HAWKRIDGE (dancer) is 17 and is studying musical theatre at Leeds College of Music. She trains seven days a week, but still finds time to teach dancing, gymnastics and the trampoline! Sally has no problems performing in front of large audiences – and she’s aiming for London’s West End!

SAINTS (dance trio) are Anisha, Tinashe and Wilfred. They have been together for 6 months, drawn by a common love for dance and a real commitment to what they do. They choreographed their dance themselves – and one ambition is to one day work with professional choreographers. Anisha finds it easy to work as part of group, “we can encourage and help each other to succeed”.

JEREMY DAVIDSON (singer & tapdancer) started dancing lessons at the age of 3. Now 11, Jeremy is already a veteran of ballet and musicals, and will soon be performing opera - “I just love performing”, Jeremy told us. Future ambitions include being a professional singer and dancer – and owning a pet shop!

FAYE COWDELL (dancer)  has been performing for 4 years – “dancing is my life”, she tells Breeze. Faye finds it easy to pick up dance moves, and has choreographed her own routine for the finals. Her plans for the future include going round schools and getting other young people involved in dance.

RHYTHMS (dance group) are made up from year 11 pupils from Roundhay School, brought together and choreographed by Desiree Iris Sandom - a former pupil at Roundhay. Desiree has just been awarded a place at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance in Dundee.

INGI HUGHES (singer/guitarist) has been performing now for five years. “I’d love to win Breeze has Talent because it would give my music a reason for being. It would show people what I could do”.Ingi finds that the music comes easily – it’s remembering not to worry that is hard!

SSC ( breakdancing crew) are from Leeds with members living in Armley, Little London and Woodhouse. “All we are is a group of youths from the street from different backgrounds, here today to work together as a team through dance”. SSC have been performing for 5 years, with a loose membership including Hau, Gina, Jordan, Danny, Daryl and many more. “We can show that youths are not out there breaking the law”.

SOPHIE DOWNHAM (singer) is 8 but is already a veteran of Emmerdale, Heartbeat and The Royal – and at the moment she is rehearsing for a new Granada TV drama! Says Sophie, “I would like to become famous and travel around the world performing to everyone”.

RE’EMELL PHILLIPS (dancer) started dancing eight years ago at the age of 6 at family events and parties. “I like the thrill you get when the audience is watching”, he told us. Since then Re’emell has performed across Yorkshire with RJC Youth Dance - he would like to go on to become a professional choreographer one day.

CAUTION (vocal group) was set up by Christella Litras in February 2008 and are: Tyrone Henry, Hanna Alexis, Janique Campbell, Clarissa Henry (Ce-Ce), Jidane Thompson and Kael Onyette. Caution are keen on breaking stereotypes – and the group write the lyrics to their songs themselves, “Our lyrics reflect a positive change in society as we encourage people to focus on being true and real to themselves”.

VICTORIA WINTERBURN (dancer) has been performing for 9 years – she started when she was 3! At the aged of 5 she danced at the NSPCC Charity Event in Blackpool. Victoria would like to follow a career in dance, “winning Breeze would be a dream come true”.

URBAN SOULJA (dance group) have been together 4 months, and train twice a week. “We all love performing on stage and to get the chance to perform in the finals is unbelievable. We have all put so much time and dedication (and a lot of sweating) into our routine!”

To view photos of the finals and all the finalists click here.