GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- Laura Hurtado has a voice that could easily grace the airwaves. She has perfect pitch, a broad vocal range and sings with the emotion of a professional " and she’s only 11 years old. For Hurtado, singing may be as universal a human trait as talking.
“If you have the talent, you should share it with other people,” said Hurtado. “I try to sing with feeling so other people can feel it, too.”
The Netzaberg Middle School sixth-grader has developed her voice over the past three years by singing every chance she gets, most recently in the Europe’s Got Talent competition at the Main Post Performing Arts Center, June 4. Joline Powell, director of the center, and Sgt. Frank Brown, Armed Forces Network, Bavaria, hosted the event.
The competition brought the best of the best from garrisons around Europe to compete and showcase their talent. Each competitor was judged on a regional level by Col. Vann Smiley, U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr commander, veteran stage performer Margi Ritscher, and Sgt. Jerry Wilson, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
Additionally, Army Festival of the Performing Arts and Army Entertainment Director Joe Leavell, along with consultants Ken Freehill and Darryl Allara, traveled from the United States to judge the child and adult competitions on a national level.
All six judges were impressed with the amount of talent on stage.
“(Hurtado) has excellent control of her breathing and the vocal control of someone twice her age,” said Ritscher.
Talent seems to run in her family.
Hurtado’s younger brother, Santiago, 8, also performed, delighting the judges and audience members by moon walking across the stage to Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean.” And Santiago had the moves. From the slide glide to Jackson’s famous spin, his body moved in perfect rhythm to the music.
So how did he learn those classic moves?
“I watched a Michael Jackson video one day and just started dancing,” said the Grafenwoehr Elementary School third-grader. “After a while I just got addicted to it.”
“Dancing is my favorite thing to do,” he added.
Music is the universal language. It’s easy to see how creative youngsters get swept up in the allure of the stage, especially if they have natural talent. Take Bailey Hagar for example. At only 16 years old, Hagar writes her own lyrics and music, sings and plays guitar. She can hold the stage on her own and captures the attention of anyone within range.
The self-taught artist wrote her first song at the age of 9 and started playing guitar just two years ago. She continues to fuel her craft by producing a new song each week and playing in front of an audience whenever she has the opportunity.
“Sometimes it’s just for friends, but I love being on stage. I feel really comfortable,” said Hagar.
Her songs often reflect her life as a high school student.
“I write about the good and the bad,” said Hagar. “About keeping a smile on your face and looking towards the future.”
Hagar has a lot of confidence to match her extreme talent. She knows who she is and it reflects in her playing. It’s no surprise she was picked for this competition and no surprise she was awarded the second place “Best of Show” award.
For Hagar, however, playing music isn’t about the awards or recognition.
“It’s more about having fun with what you’re doing rather than worrying about who’s sitting in the audience,” she said.
And the fun reflected on stage for all competitors. They danced and sang, gabbed and giggled.
Hurtado and Santiago stood bright-eyed on stage as they were announced the first and third place winners, respectively.
“My parents said they are proud of me and my brother because of our gifts,” said Hurtado. “We make people happy with our talents and that’s a gift from God.”
During the adult portion of the Europe’s Got Talent event, held later that evening, the three children gave encore performances to a cheering crowd.
“I like the attention,” said Santiago.
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