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Testimonials 2010
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We are Family & We are
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"I am so happy to have the privilege to be a part of something so Great!!!"
- Alicia Colletti, Associate Producer, NHS Teen Idol
"I've been producing, mixing and engineering talent from every range and age-category, from all over the world, for the last 35 years... I am proud to have Taylor-Made Productions be chosen as the official studio / production facility for NHS Teen Idol's winners this year and I must say that I have rarely seen talent at this high-level flowing from newcomers like John G and Jamie G... They were not only fantastic talents, but professional in every way and wonderful to work with! Let's do MORE!!!"
-Glenn M. Taylor, Taylor-Made Productions, www.taylormadeprod.com, 'Official Studio Facility' of NHS Teen-Idol
"My time at NHS teen idol was amazing, wonderful, fun, great people, and a learning experience I'll never forget."
-Jamie Lee Gaita, NHS Teen Idol Female Winner 2009
"This experience of Producing Teen Idol is one of my life’s most rewarding. To think that we may have contributed to helping some young person forge a happy and successful career in show business is unequaled in all of my 59 years on this earth!"
-Robert Colletti, Executive Producer/Director, NHS Teen Idol
"WHEN CATALINA WON, I WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MANY TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE AND A LOT OF RAW TALENT. I ADMIRE THE PRODUCER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS AND JUDGES WHO VOLUNTEER THIER TIME TO INSPIRE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE. AS A RESULT OF MY DAUGTHER'S PARTICIPATION, SHE HAS MET SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE THE LAST TWO YEARS. SHE HAS PRODUCED HER OWN CD. HAD A CD RELEASE PARTY AND NOW IS ON HER WAY TO BEING INTERVIEWED ON RADIO AND TV SHOWS. NHS TEEN IDOL TREATS ALL THESE PARTICIPANTS AS FAMILY. EVERY YEAR THE PROGRAM THAT THEY OFFER GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER. HATS OFF TO NHS TEEN IDOL. " SINCERELY, AMEDEO GAGLIOTI
-AMEDEO A. GAGLIOTI, ESQ., Parent of Catatlina Gaglioti, NHS Teen Idol Female Winner 2008
“To all who have participated and those who will in the future; There has never been an event that has brought so many industry icon's and associates in one place to help the young people that long for a music journey in their lives.
The only goals that I have are to help and offer guidance, advice and music connections they can use for their entire lives.
I thank all the participates, associates, interns and friends for making this event the best and most meaningful part of my music career.”
-Carmen Jon, Executive Producer/Director, NHS Teen Idol
Hello Alicia,
"I don't know whether you remember us. My daughter Ashlee Madhukar was one of the participants in 2008. We are glad to know your organization/family is growing. Congradulations !! Because of the participation in the Teen Idol we were introduced to the world famous apollo theater talent competition and Ashlee was the winner in 2009.
Ashlee is working on her original album with producers from Nashville and New York. We hope to release the first single in summer. We keep in touch with Mr Eugene Foley.
If this would be an encouragement to the contestants please pass it on. Ashlee performs in many places including churches, schools and political functions.
Thank you for the networking opportunity we got in associating with your organization."
Her website is
www.ashleeM.com
-Joel Madhukar, Parent of Ashlee Madhukar, NHS Teen Idol Contestant 2008
From Florida
"I had the best experience at the 2009 National High School Teen Idol competition. I was able to learn about the music industry with esteemed professionals in a supportive environment, show off my love for my talent and earn many new friends. NHS Teen Idol isn't about winning, it's about growing as an artist and believing in your decisions and in your own voice. Carmen Jon & Robert Colletti were very supportive of my voice and my dreams and helped me grow over the weekend. Dr. Foley & Blake Althen demonstrated the inside tips from industry professionals, and the contestants taught me to go for it because everyone was so confident and supportive. I was very fortunate to have won the title and recording contract, but I am even luckier to have had the opportunity to have met all the amazing people apart of the Teen Idol family. I can't wait to see you all this summer! :) "
Best,
-John Geraghty (JP) NHS Teen Idol Male Winner 2009
(To hear preview of my Teen Idol song, "Only Girl")
Alicia,
"I had the pleasure of being one of the Judges at the 2009 NHS Teen Idol Event. I was very impressed with the talent of the contestants, which made it very hard to choose a winner. But what most impressed me was the two days of work shops that the NHS Teen Idol offered giving the young contestants a better understanding of the music business. While there can only be one winner, I truly feel that all the contestants came out winners by way of experience and knowledge."
-Garry Colletti 2009 NHS Teen Idol Judge
"Although I have not attended NHS Teen Idol alot of preparation is going into this competition, and as a singer, rapper, and musician I'm planning to turn my game up for all my fellow competitors. The competition is a great way for young diligent, talented teens to do what they love to do make Music to live their dream. Alot of genres will show up in this competition R&B, country, jazz, and soul (etc). It is time to crank it up, it is time to put on the show that can make your career, it is time that National High School Teen Idol see’s you there."
-Milton Conley ( a.k.a. J-Crews Musiq) 2010 Contestant
Hey Alicia,
It was a pleasure speaking with you, you are a sweetheart and I am glad that our kids are in your hands. You guys are doing wonderful things for these kids and as a parent I truly appreciate the fact that someone cares for them as much as you, Robert Colletti and Carmen Jon have and are looking out for them.
-Marie Ann Perez , Parent of Kristina Perez, NHS Teen Idol 2009 Female Runner-Up
THIS IS ADORABLE !!!
- Bridget Maresca, NHS Teen Idol 2010 Jr. Mascot
This year we had "Jr. Mascots" very talented children that were not able to compete because of their age, however, were able to attend our workshops and participate. - Alicia
To all associated with "Teen Idol",
I would just like to take the time to thank you all so very much for the opportunity that was given to my son Taylor Popielarz. He expressed to me how this entire weekend was a very rewarding, fun and educational experience for him.
He enjoyed being able to perform, make new friends, and to listen to, and learn from the many experts as they spoke about the entertainment business. The workshops you offer are a wonderful step in helping these young people to educate themselves. Taylor truly gained so very much from his experience! I also thank you for making this experience a very positive one for my son. He is eager now to take your critiques of his performances and to apply any suggestions made, so as to improve his performance quality. He is now looking forward to participating at next year's event!
Thank you
Sincerely,
Robin A. Popielarz
Alicia;
I would like to thank NHSTI for allowing me to participate in such a Wonderful Event. Although I was not there from the start you all made me feel like part of the original team. There is no other place I would have liked to be for my birthday weekend than with your team of Special Individuals. I was really honored to be invited to the dinner after the show and was looking forward to attending However I had car trouble and could not find a way to attend I also did not have the foresight to ask for someone's number just in case. I really appreciate the invite and in no way did I not want to be there. Please past my regrets and apologies to Carmen and the Crew Members and thank them again for me....
My son also enjoyed himself and learned a lot by just watching your professional at work He is a better coordinator having the opportunity to attend your show.
I enjoyed myself greatly and if there is anything I can do in the future to be of any help please don't hesitate to call or email me. Thank you again and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future there is so much I am looking forward to learning from all of you.
Respectfully,
Benita Brayboy
ALICIA.............. THANK YOU! WISHING EVERYONE A GREAT SUCCESS. CIAO JOSEPH
NHS Teen Idol 2010 Sponsor, The Coccia Foundation
Hey Carmen,
Thanks for having us at your event again this year. Your new venue seemed to be really on the ball when it came to the tech. I think the kids really get something out of the event.
Hope we can do it again next year!!! Blake
Blake Althen
Composer/Owner
Alicia,
Ok, Thank You for the Thank You and also Thank You. Well, it's over and while I do look forward to this every year, the hours that we put in always tire me out and I'm always glad when all is said and done for the weekend. Well the show just keeps getting better and better. It evolves a little bit every year. It's a good thing for the kids; there were a lot of people leaving at the end that said they learned a lot in a short time. Just want everyone to know, the kid that stayed with me for the weekend was one of the nicest people I've ever met. And, he had a real story to tell for just getting here. Of course we all know he was only 14 yrs. old, had no parent or guardian with him and any money he had was his, he did it all on his own. A 14 yr. old kid traveling on his own from Texas to Jersey. That was just the beginning though, little did he know when he actually made it to his destination, he had no place to stay. A 14yr. old can't get a hotel room and the bus he took dropped him off in Midland Park. So with three bags of luggage he walked to the college. The reason he was here on his own was his parents paid someone to travel with him but, they backed out at the last minute. After all this and not getting to the Semi-Finals, he read and read the judges critiques until he was sleeping with the sheets of paper on the bed with him. When we were getting ready to leave for the event the next day he didn't say he wasted time and money because he didn't make the cut. He didn't moan about the long trip he had to make alone getting back. He didn't make excuses or blame the judges for not getting through. What he did say was, "I thought I was ready for this and knew what I was doing but I didn't come here close to being prepared.":He also thought he knew all there was to know about being a musician because he was able to sing and play a couple instruments. He said after he heard everyone speak, he realized just how little he knew and after hearing the talent he was up against, he knew he wasn't near prepared for the event. He went on to say he wouldn't make the same mistake next year. I hope he does come back just to see how he's progressed and how he put the information he got throughout the weekend into action.
See You All Soon,
Joe Gaita
Note: Milton called me, he had a safe trip back to Texas! - Alicia
Alicia,
I never did get to meet you at the NHS Teen Idol but wanted to thank you and the whole crew for doing such a wonderful job. My daughter Jenna had a great learning experience along with having a great time. I appreciate all the hard work and many hours you guys put into the kids.
Thanks again and she is looking forward to next year,
Maureen Huggins
An unbelievable traveling experience as I traveled two days and fourteen hours to make it from Houston Texas to Paramus New Jersey. With hotel setbacks I stayed with a wonderful, outstanding, absolutely WOWING family the Gaita's and the trip did not only help me improve in my music but I also gained a new family it was outstanding.
An unimaginable experience it changed my whole outlook on my music career it showed me how to get my music out in the world and how to network with other music companies and with the advice from the workshop I have improved my music, my voice, and my skills. Although I did not win I cannot wait to return with my networking plan and my new songs and hopefully I leave as the 2011 Male Teen Idol.
Milton Conley a.k.a. JR
Dear Alicia,
I just wanted to drop you a note explaining why Jessica and I won't be attending this afternoon's final show. As you might recall, I had gotten a flat tire last night. Although I have a donut tire on the car, we live a little over an hour away and I was advised only to travel on highways if it is essential (like getting home last night). I cannot replace the tire today because it is a Sunday. We both wish you and the production team the best for the show today. Jessica had a great time participating in the competition. She is disappointed we can't make it over there this afternoon. We will be watching and voting from home! Please send our regards and thanks to Carmen and his "sidekick." Thanks for a great weekend! I know Jessica learned a lot of new things and made some great friends. Jessica looks forward to coming back next year!
Sincerely,
Eileen Lynch
Thank you to everyone for allowing me to be part of such an amazing event! The teens that I was lucky enough to have in my group for the skit were filled with creative ideas. We all had a great time putting it together. I was also honored to be a judge, however I did not realize how hard it was going to be to narrow down 57 of the best vocalists to two. I was impressed with the support and love that all of the staff and teens showed to one another throughout the event. I can't wait to be a part of Teen Idol next year!
Liz Maresca Twiggs, NHS Teen Idol Workshop Instructor, Judge and Mom
Hi Alicia,
Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the Teen Idol competition at BCC. I was able to attend on Saturday with my sister and finally got to meet Catalina. That was really great - she is an incredible person and I'm very proud that she recorded one of my songs. Please keep me on your distribution list - I would love to help in anyway I can for future events. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you that night. I wish you all the best in your future plans for the competition.
Thanks,
Helga
Helga Kaefer, Songwriter
Alicia,
I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for sponsoring me this year at National High School Teen Idol! I learned so much about how to pursue a career in the music industry. The weekend was filled with friends, fun and experiences I’ll treasure forever. I wish I had known about this competition three years ago it all started. The information I received by attending both the workshop on Friday and the constructive criticism on Saturday, it will help me to practice harder, rehearse more and try better next year. I have been so inspired to start a musical journey, write and record original songs and get my name out there. I am looking forward to attending next year’s event, and leaving with the title "National High School Teen Idol 2011 Male Winner!"
Thanks For Everything!!
- Matthew Owitz (NHS Teen Idol 2010 Semi-Finalist)
Hi Alicia,
I have been meaning to contact you for sometime now. I've been traveling the last month so my email response rate is unusually low:)
It was such a pleasure to meet you and be apart of your project. The event was a great success and I find myself telling folks about it all the time. The kids are amazing and truly talented in ways they haven't even identified yet. They have so much respect for all of you that put the show together and that's really special!
Lyssen (M.A.D.E.)
National High School Teen Idol was an experience that will live in the hearts and minds of all the students who had an opportunity to perform. The judges were of top quality, the production team was warm, welcoming, and collaborative. The producers were extremely inviting, opened to more students and provided a great venue and atmosphere for all students to perform in.
Particularly, the students that I represented from New Milford High School showed their professionalism, enthusiasm, and broke through self implemented walls through their performance. One of the most gratifying moments of the event for me was when one of my students (who was extremely shy, introverted, afraid to take the stage) approached me and said "thank you so much for believing in me, this was the best experience I’ve ever had and because of this I have so much confidence". For this I thank NHS for providing a home for young performers to step into the limelight and shine for an afternoon, but shine for the rest of their lives.
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