Young Monroe Performer Vying for Spot on National Talent Show

Virginia Taylor, a 13-year-old Jockey Hollow STEM Academy 8th grader, is among 17 contestants in Connecticut trying to earn a spot in the national “Celebration of Music” talent show, filmed in Los Angeles.

Virginia's performance of “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan will be shown on the PBS channel CPTV at 7:30 pm. Saturday October 19th. Two of the Connecticut finalists will be selected to advance to Los Angeles to compete against winners from other cities.

One of the two winners from Connecticut will be selected by the show’s producers, the other by viewers.

Fans can vote for Virginia online at www.celebrationofmusic.com/virginia-taylor

The winner will be announced and will be performing on November 3rd at the end of a concert at the Bushnell theater by piano virtuoso Ethan Bortnick, who came up with the “Celebration of Music” concept as a way to offer other young musicians the same opportunities PBS gave him.

The show features singers, dancers and “a wide range of curated talent from contestants age 4 to 25,” according to a press release.

At only 13 years old, Virginia Taylor has captivated audiences with her deep, emotional performances that are so far beyond her years you quickly forget how young she is! Blessed with the gift of perfect pitch and the love of sharing music across generations, Virginia started on her musical path at a very early age. At seven years old, she was invited to join the elite Elm City Girl's Choir - a choir that has earned a reputation as one of America’s finest youth choirs, and have performed at many prestigious venues throughout the world.

Virginia also plays jazz bass and cello in the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestra as well as in her middle school jazz band and orchestra. Virginia has been invited to participate in the Western Regional Music festival on both voice and Jazz bass, as well as performing with the Connecticut Honors choir. She is a member of the Tri-M Music honor society and has been studying piano since she was five years old achieving national top talent rating by the American Piano Guild. Virginia has held numerous lead roles in local musical theatre productions, including the role of Katie in one of the first local theatrical productions of "School of Rock".

"I just love to perform and connect with people. Music is a language that everyone can understand, no matter where you come from, or who you are."