Congratulations to the 2020 Algonkian’s Got Talent winners

In its inaugural year, 24 outstanding students recently participated in “Algonkian’s Got Talent,” a virtual event created by Loudoun County Supervisor Juli Briskman to draw attention to the importance of the arts in students’ lives. A musician herself, Briskman gave a performance on the viola for the competition. 

The students submitted videos of their performances in five categories: Solo Instrumental, Group Musical Act, Solo Dance, Solo Vocalist, and Fan Favorite. 

Josh Beyer, from Dominion High School, won in Solo Instrumental for his performance of Schubert Impromptu No. 3 in G-Flat Major. 

The winner in the category of Group Musical Act was Robert Manfredi, from River Bend Middle School, and his band, Antigravity, for their performance of U2’s “Sunday, Bloody Sunday.” 

Samantha Ankers, also from Riverbend, took home the award for Solo Dance performance. 

In the Solo Vocalist category, Caroline Taylor of Horizon Elementary School took home first place with “On My Own” from Les Misérables. Claudia Brohs, who also sang “On My Own,” was awarded second place. 

Max Garrett, of Lowes Island Elementary School, was given a Special Honorable Mention award for “Remember Me” from the Disney film Coco. 

Ava Buchner, from Lowes Island Elementary, was named Fan Favorite, with 97 “likes” for her vocal rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” 

Todd Grivetti, Jordan Markwood, Robbie Taylor, and Mindy Padworski served as judges and guest performers. 

“I am so thrilled that so many of Algonkian’s youth decided to participate in this event,” Briskman said in a prepared statement. “I really wanted to give our young people, in this challenging time, an opportunity to perform for their peers and family, and to just have a good time. It is my hope that next year we will be in a better place as a nation, and can have this program in person.”