CNE Rising Star Jr Grand Champ

CNE Rising Star Jr Grand Champ

10-YEAR old KATHARINE BELLE REYES BAGS 2013

TORONTO–Filipino-Canadian Katharine Belle Reyes, 10 years old, bagged the 2013 CNE Rising Star Junior Grand Champion title,  in a prestigious annual competition held at the CNE,  Sept. 1, 2013.

The young singer and dancer emerged champion, after three rounds of competition, starting with the video audition that included over 100 candidates, then the live performance at the preliminary round held Aug. 16 which included 60 competitors, 24 of them making it to the the semi-finals, held Aug. 26.  The finals, held at the last day of the CNE, resulted in a triumphant win for Reyes, who brought home a cash prize of $1000 as the Junior Grand Champion.

Her other recent accomplishments include garnering 1st Place Overall at several dance competitions in 2012 and 2013 for her Song & Dance performances.  She also swept all three vocal categories that she entered in at this year’s North York Music Festival.  In July of this year, Reyes brought home three gold medals from the World Championships of Performing Arts, held in Hollywood, California for her Tap Dance, Song & Dance and Jazz Vocal Solo entries.  In August, she was the recipient of the 2013 York Region Celebration of the Arts Bursary Award which will be awarded to her in October at the New Market Theatre.

Her many achievements will be recognized on September 30th by Markham’s City Council at a Special Council Meeting for Community Recognition which will be awarded by Markham’s Mayor Frank Scarpitti. She has also been given the honour of singing the national anthem O’ Canada for the opening ceremony.

Since early childhood, Reyes has participated in numerous dance competitions, and several singing contests.  She has also guested at various functions and events, including fundraisers for such organizations as World Vision. She receives dance training from K&K Dance Dreamz, and vocal training from Pro Music in Markham.