OCCC recently hosted its “OCCC’s Got Talent” showcase in the Visual and Performing Arts Center, featuring a variety of performances ranging from vocal acts to instrumental pieces and dance.
Organized by the Student Government Association and the Music Appreciation and Performances Club, the event brought together students and attendees for an evening centered on creativity, performance and community engagement.
The entertainment began with an introduction from the event’s hosts, who welcomed the audience and set the tone for the evening, before William Crews opened the show with a musical performance.
SGA Vice President Teonna Brown followed with a vocal performance, and Ah’Keelah Browne then took the stage with a combination of singing and instrumental work, continuing the event’s focus on musical talent.
As the event progressed, Tim Mahan’s saxophone performance drew a lively response from the audience, with attendees clapping along during the piece. The interactive moment contributed to an energetic atmosphere throughout the event.
Georgia Paige then performed a vocal number accompanied by dance, one of the few acts of the night to incorporate choreography and movement alongside singing.
Isaiaah Spires performed “No Good Deed” from the movie “Wicked.” When audience members were asked if they had seen the movie, a younger attendee enthusiastically responded, “Yeah!” – leading to an amused response from the rest of the audience and adding a lighthearted moment to the evening.
Later in the event, Alonso Phillips and Trey Brite, editor-in-chief of The Pioneer, collaborated on a performance that combined live music with a comedic skit during an extended instrumental segment. The blend of music and humor offered a shift in tone from earlier performances.
Nathaniel Carel followed with an energetic dance performance set to “Billie Jean,” which received an enthusiastic reaction from the audience.
Emy Duron and Terry Isaacs then delivered a collaborative musical performance before the band Placeholders closed out the show, bringing the evening’s lineup to a conclusion.
In addition to the performances, the hosts engaged the audience with a brief trivia game that involved crowd participation, further encouraging interaction throughout the event.
Winners of the talent show were later announced in both a judges’ category and a crowd-voted category, with audience members casting votes via QR code.
The first-place award of $1,000 went to Duron and Isaacs for their performance of “Amor Eterno.”
The second-place award of $500 went to the Placeholders for their performance of “Use Somebody.”
Finally, the third-place award of $250 went to Mahan for his saxophone cover of “Pretty Girl.”
Additionally, the voter’s choice award went to Brown for her vocal cover of “Die on This Hill.”
Among the judges was Abigail Odvody, last year’s talent show winner, whose presence reflected continuity between this year’s event and previous showcases. The evening concluded with photos of the winners, participants and judges, marking the end of the event.
The showcase highlighted a range of talents within the OCCC community and provided performers with an opportunity to take the stage in front of a live audience, while also offering attendees an engaging and diverse evening of entertainment.
