2022 Union’s Got Talent Winners
Township of Union
It was an evening filled with song, dance, and magic as 20 contestants took the stage. Still, the twin tap dancers stole the show. They wowed the panel of prestigious judges on November 19th, at the 2022 Union’s Got Talent (UGT) competition held at Enlow Recital Hall at Kean University.
Jaden and Ellis Foreman, both 17 years old and from Union Township, have been tap dancing for ten years. For Union’s Got Talent, they performed “War Dance,” which served as a tribute to The Condos Brothers. Their first-place win earned them a $1,000 cash prize, sponsored by Investors Bank.
“I’m absolutely blown away by not just the level of talent but the range of acts that were showcased,” said Mayor Manuel Figueiredo. “Everyone did a spectacular job. Congratulations to the winners and everyone who participated!”
Jaden and Ellis Foreman are interviewed by UGT Host Meridoc ‘Doc’ Burkhardt after being announced as first-place winners.
Finishing in second place and earning $500, sponsored by the Township of Union Special Improvement District (SID), was pianist Maxwell Kocaj, who performed an excerpt of Liebestraum No. 3 by Franz Liszt.
Ashley Mahaux and Francisco Gonzalez Negron danced their way to third place with their Banda Policia Nacional del Peru performance, winning a $250 prize sponsored by BCB Bank.
The People’s Choice winner, voted by the audience and sponsored by Red Cadillac, was Colette Maynard, who sang “Tomorrow” from “Annie” and also won a $250 prize. Every year, audience members are asked to participate as the 6th judge, where they can vote for their favorite contestant by donating money into their perspective basket.
“Everyone did such a wonderful job! The judges had such a tough time picking the winners, and I don’t envy them at all,” said Marie Krueger-Canarelli, Union’s Got Talent Founder. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who participated and supported Union’s Got Talent and the DMK Scholarship Fund. Special thank you to Union TV34 and director Yvonne Lorenzo for everything they’ve done!”
All proceeds raised from the event benefit the UHSPAC and DMK, two organizations that give back to the students of Union through scholarships and arts education.
For more information on the 2022 Union’s Got Talent Show, visit unionsgottalent.org or call 908-851-5096.
