Kyah Allen, 9, is very happy to have finished second in the recent Fresh B.C. Talent Quest finals held in Penticton. (Photo supplied)
Nine-year-old Kyah Allen finished second in the final round of the Fresh B.C. Talent Quest held in Penticton recently.
The aspiring local singer made it to the final round held on May 9 in Penticton after a successful performance in the semi-finals held on May 2.
Her music teacher, Leslee Hatherly, said she is proud of Allen’s performance, as well as of her cheerful attitude that earned her a Spirit Award.
“She was just as thrilled about coming in second as if she got first place,” said Hatherly. “Kyah was over the moon, and I was especially over the moon about her getting that Spirit Award because that speaks volumes.”
First place went to Neveah Dyson, of Penticton, who did a song and dance from a musical and performed on the floor instead of the stage.
“I knew in my heart that Kyah would either be first or second,” said Hatherly, adding that Dyson also was talented and deserving. “I knew it would be between the two. It could have gone either way because I feel like they were pretty evenly matched.”
There were five contestants in the nine-year-old category of the finals, including one boy and four girls, she said. Both the finals and semi-finals were held at Orchard House Theatre in Penticton.
Allen performed a Miley Cyrus song, Hatherly said, but she quickly added that it was from an earlier period before Cyrus adopted a raunchier persona.
“It was a very inspirational, age-appropriate song,” she said.
Allen did a television interview and also took home a number of gifts and prizes.
Hatherly said Allen will be performing at Rock Creek Fair in September at a talent competition. She hopes also that the young singer will compete in Osoyoos Idol this summer.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Kyah Allen, 9, dreams of becoming a famous pop singer. Her teacher, Leslee Hatherly, is the mother of singer Kansas Lee and took Allen under her wing as her daughter left home. Allen hopes to compete at Rock Creek Fair and Osoyoos Idol later this year. (Richard McGuire photo)
