On Saturday 13 February, the Adelaide Festival Centre celebrated the artistic achievements of culturally diverse finalists in the Students Got Talent competition. The event was made possible through a partnership between the Adelaide Festival Centre and StudyAdelaide’s Summer in Adelaide program.
Adelaide comedian, Jason Chong, hosted the event featuring the 11 finalists. The shortlisted talent performed to a full house of more than 900 ticketholders at Her Majesty’s Theatre as well as national and international viewers via livestream courtesy of Adelaide Community Television Channel 44.
Estée Kitingan, a 19-year-old Malaysian-born singer took home the $5,000 in prize money and was awarded first place. Kitingan is studying a Bachelor of Popular Music at The Elder Conservatorium of Music at The University of Adelaide.
Estée Kitingan said she was honoured to receive the award: “Being a finalist was such a great and honouring experience! I think the best part about it was the friendships and connections I made with the other contestants. I feel very blessed to have won and my plan is to just save the money for anything that comes my way in the future.”
Zhiyi He, a beatboxer and Flinders University student originally from China, was awarded second place and $3,000 in prize money while Indian dance group Malwai Bhangra Academy Adelaide came in third place winning $1,000.
Marjorie Tacsanan, a Filipino singer, won the People’s Choice Award and took home $500 after receiving the loudest cheer.
Students Got Talent Judges included award-winning singer-songwriter Elsy Waymeo, Adelaide Festival Centre producer Susannah Sweeney, Adelaide United Director of Football Bruce Djite and Assistant Minister to the Premier Jing Lee. Acts were assessed on their stage presence, preparation, talent, audience response and overall performance.
International viewers from countries including Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Malaysia and China tuned in to the livestream on Adelaide Festival Centre’s Facebook page and Channel 44’s website, which attracted more than 7,000 online audience members.
StudyAdelaide CEO Karyn Kent: “Students Got Talent was the first in Australia to unearth and showcase the amazing talents in the international student community. We’d like to thank Adelaide Festival Centre for creating this event and giving our students the unforgettable opportunity to perform on a major capital city stage.
“The extra step to live stream this special experience speaks volumes to their friends and family overseas that South Australia is welcoming and supportive of international students.”
– Karyn kent, Ceo of studyadelaide
The livestream recording can be viewed on Adelaide Festival Centre’s website and Facebook page and will be airing on Channel 44 on Sunday 7 March at 8pm.
Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier AM says “[…] it has been wonderful to see so many people embrace and welcome these talented international students into our community, with this event attracting such an enthusiastic crowd and buzz.”
“We thank everybody involved and look forward to continue supporting, connecting, and uniting Adelaide’s international students through the arts and entertainment in the future.”
– Douglas Gautier AM, CEO & Artistic director of adelaide festival centre
