Three Locals Tapped to Perform at U.S. Open
The USTA has announced the names of the vocalists, ages 14 and under, who will perform patriotic-themed songs prior to the night sessions of the 2016 U.S. Open and/or during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. The lineup for this year’s U.S. Open features talent from throughout the New York metropolitan area, as well as from Arizona, California and Tennessee.
The audition process for these coveted spots began earlier this summer, when more than 200 performers submitted performances via a nationwide online audition. A select number of contestants from the online audition were invited to participate in an in-person call-back audition, where they performed in front of a panel of judges from the music and entertainment industries.
For the second consecutive year, the audition age in 2016 was extended to children 14 years of age or younger. Previously, it was only open to those 12 and under.
Among the 12 vocalists, three locals made the cut: Brandon Hernandez from Yonkers, Cailin Paul from Brooklyn and Danny Pena from Corona. After a competitive, nationwide search, Hernandez, Paul and Pena were selected as one of 12 young performers to sing The National Anthem or America the Beautiful prior to a match in the upcoming U.S. Open. The three locals were among the 200-plus submissions for the U.S. Open Anthem Auditions, with 60 kids selected for in-person call backs held at Ripley Grier Studios. International music stars, including Taylor Swift and Bea Miller, both kicked off their careers by performing at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the U.S. Open.
Brandon Hernandez will be singing at his second U.S. Open, and will perform “The Star Spangled Banner” to kick off the 2016 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Saturday, Aug. 27. In addition to Hernandez’s love for performing (he sings, acts and plays the piano), he also enjoys baseball and karate. He holds a black belt in karate and occasionally trains at a boxing gym as well. In 2015, Brandon was a finalist for Yonkers Idol and he has done some voiceover work in a few commercials.
Although Cailin Paul is just nine-years-old, she has already accomplished a great deal as a singer. Not only has she performed the National Anthem at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center at a basketball game, but she has also won several singing talent shows in various NYC venues. Cailin will perform on Friday, Sept. 2nd at The Open.
Danny Pena has been singing since he was only four-years-old and was part of La Voz Kids third season in 2015 on NBC Telemundo. Singing is Danny’s passion and he is honored to perform so close to home at the U.S. Open when he takes the stage on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
The remaining performers will be making their Arthur Ashe Stadium debuts, performing in front of anticipated capacity crowds and singing “America the Beautiful.” Joining the three locals will be Sami Bray from Cordova, Tenn.; Franco Cabanas from Alexandria, Va.; Allison Kirkner from Ladera Ranch, Calif.; Kialani Mills from Litchfield Park, Ariz.; Elijah Morman from Lumberton, N.J.; Toleeya Napolitano from Mountain Lakes, N.J.; Natalie Schroeder from Orinda, Calif.; Lucy Scorziello from Stamford, Conn.; and Jacob Shanker from Tenafly, N.J.
These children will join the group of music industry leaders who have performed at the event, ranging from Rob Thomas and Aretha Franklin to Diana Ross and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Earth, Wind & Fire. This year’s Opening Night Ceremony will feature generational icon and cultural legend Phil Collins.
