Zach Heyde won first prize in the adult category for Darien’s Got Talent competition Saturday night and Taylor Felt won first prize in the children’s category as well as the People’s Choice Award, with the most online votes. Both top winners are from Darien.
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— This article has been updated at 11:17 a.m., Monday, with new information from Darien Arts Center.
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From left to right, in the adult category (for those age 16 and above), 1st prize, Zach Heyde of Darien; 2nd prize, Tom Giles of Cos Cob in Greenwich; 3rd prize, Riley Thrush of Westport; and in the children’s category, 1st prize, Taylor Felt (also holding her People’s Choice Award); 2nd prize, Lauren Blake; and 3rd prize, Ella Bates.
Zach Heyde of Darien won the $1,000 First Place prize at the Darien’s Got Talent competition. (Photo from Darien Arts Center People’s Choice website)
Heyde, a Darien resident, is a composer and piano player. Until earlier this month, he worked at Darien Arts Center, teaching music, as a piano accompanist at Noroton Presbyterian Church and at Crescendo Music in Darien, which sells musical instruments and offers music lessons.
According to a Darien Arts Center announcement, Heyde won “for his flawless and delightfully entertaining piano rendition of ‘Inspector Gadget.’”
An audience of 500 attended the event, and 150 VIP ticket holders and sponsors attended the additional fundraising party, “Darien’s Got Taste” after the show.
Taylor Felt won the People’s Choice Award and the First Place award in the children’s category (Image from Darien Arts Center People’s Choice Web page)
The talent competition, the primary annual fundraiser for Darien Arts Center, took place Saturday at Darien High School with 20 performances from both Darienites and people from surrounding communities of Stamford, New Canaan, Greenwich, Norwalk, Westport.
Second-place winner Lauren Blake from Darien performed an Irish step dance to “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”
Second-place adult winner Tom Giles of Cos Cob performed an original composition, “Swan Song,” on the piano. Riley Thrush of Westport, the third-place winner, gave a “soulful vocal performance of ‘New York State of Mind,’” according to the DAC announcement.
Felt, who won first place in the children’s category, played piano and sang a mashup of “Alive” and “Middle.” Second-place winner Lauren Blake, also from Darien, performed an Irish step dance to “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” For the third-place award, Ella Bates (another Darienite) gave a “poignant vocal performance of ‘On My Own,’” according to the announcement.
Ella Bates of Darien sang “On My Own” to win third place in the children’s category.
As the judges deliberated, the audience was shown a slideshow of entries from the DAC’s recent smartphone photo contest, “Pic Darien,” and Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson joined in the entertainment by singing, “What A Wonderful World.”
The prizes this year are pretty hefty: Adults: 1st place $1,000, 2nd place $750, and 3rd place $500; Children’s: 1st Place $750, 2nd Place $500, and 3rd Place $250.
Here’s part of the DAC announcement:
Accomplished entertainment judges included Columbia Records/Sony Music Senior Vice President John Doelp, producer of Kinky Boots, Jane Bergere, Broadway writer and director Dan Goggin (Nunsense), former professional New York City Ballet dancer Ashlee Knapp Stewart, and renowned jazz musician Joel A. Martin. After much deliberation, six winners were chosen from the adult and children’s categories and were given their awards by the DAC’s Co-President Pam Heckel. […]
Seasoned director Carole Claps orchestrated the evening’s performances seamlessly, with the skillful help of Chris Coogan as musical director and BT McNicholl as Master of Ceremonies. […] DAC Co-President Dana Fead and Executive Director Amy Allen thanked sponsors, producers and the crowd for their support, and invited all to enjoy the Darien Arts Center’s offerings. […]
150 guests, including sponsors, winners and judges attended the exclusive post show party, Darien’s Got Taste, enjoying outstanding cuisine, entertainment by pianist Bob Rissolo, and celebrating with winners.
Donors to Darien’s Got Taste included Cesco’s Trattoria, Amanda Smith Caterers, Bodega Taco Bar, Carolyn’s Absolutely Fabulous Events, Chocolate Works, Darien Butcher Shop, Fjord Fisheries, Four Forks, Michael Joseph’s Catering, Palmer’s, Rowayton Pizza, Atria, Whole Foods, Panera, Trader Joe’s, and Crunch Fitness.
Baywater Properties, Dana Fead, Realtor, EastCoast Irrigation, the Eenkema van Dijk family, Goodnow Investment Group, Darien Rowayton Bank and Andrew Stefanou Salon and Spa generously sponsored the fundraiser, which supports the DAC’s efforts in providing unique opportunities for all ages in dance, visual arts, music and theatre.
For more information about the Darien Arts Center, which is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind Town Hall, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683.
Founded in 1975, the Darien Arts Center (DAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community. The DAC offers educational programs in Dance, Visual Arts, Music & Theatre, & special events & live theatre performances by DAC Stage. Private donations, grants, tuition fees & ticket sales fund the DAC, which is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall.
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Correction: Taylor Felt did not play the cello, as stated in an earlier version of this article. (That was Quinn Taylor, another contestant). Taylor Felt played piano and sang.
Taylor Felt was NOT the cellist. Quinn Taylor was the fabulous cellist, also in the youth category. Taylor Felt played piano and sang.
Thank you, Jan. The article is now corrected.