Rutherford's Got Talent 2026
By Jennifer Ersalesi
As Rutherford learned last year, Rutherford residents proved that they really do have talent. This year was no exception as children and young adults sang, danced, played musical instruments, and so much more. The Rutherford Arts Council Board Vice-President Genesee Orlowicz was excited to share more information about this year's Rutherford's Got Talent show in this interview with ThisisRutherford.
TIR: Congratulations on another successful Rutherford's Got Talent show. How was this year's show different from last year's?
Genesee Orlowicz: Thank you! We were so excited to bring Rutherford’s Got Talent back for Season 2. This year, we built on everything we learned from our first show and were able to grow the event. After last year’s show, we sent out surveys to gather feedback and suggestions, and we used that information to help us grow, make changes, and improve the experience for everyone involved.
One of the things we were especially excited about this year was offering additional opportunities for our performers, regardless of their talent or experience. Fred Astaire Dance Studio offered complimentary 30-minute coaching sessions to help participants prepare and build their confidence. Eryn Santos of Atelie Eryn Santos Hair Design hosted an Own the Stage workshop to help performers feel more comfortable and confident on stage. He also generously offered his talent by providing complimentary hair and makeup services to participants on the day of the show.
We were also fortunate to have tremendous support from our sponsors, volunteers, judges, local businesses, and families. Their generosity and willingness to get involved helped make the event possible.
TIR: Tell us about the judges on this year's RGT Panel.
GO: We were incredibly fortunate to have five outstanding judges on this year’s panel, each bringing a unique background and perspective in the arts, music, and performance.
Three of our judges, Dominique Abita, Lise Avery, and Lee Boocock-Stephenson, returned from Season 1. One of the most rewarding things was that, immediately after our first show ended, they expressed how much fun they had and wanted to be part of it again. That meant so much to us! We knew we had found people who genuinely enjoyed working with our young performers and believed in what we were trying to create with Rutherford’s Got Talent.
Dominique Abita is a trained rock, opera, and jazz vocalist with more than 20 years of experience. She holds a Master’s Degree in Music from The Catholic University of America and is the co-owner and Regional Music Director of School of Rock in Carlstadt and Randolph. Dominique is also a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, bass, keyboard, and piano, and she has performed at Carnegie Hall. Her passion for music education and helping performers of all ages develop their abilities made her a wonderful addition to our panel.
Lise Avery is an accomplished jazz vocalist who has performed throughout the New York metropolitan area and internationally, as well as at many Rutherford community events, including First Nights, the Summer Concert Series, and Labor Day festivals. She specializes in the Great American Songbook and brings a deep appreciation for artistry, interpretation, and storytelling through music. Lise is also the host and producer of the internationally syndicated radio program Anything Goes!!® with Lise Avery. Throughout her broadcasting career, she has interviewed legendary personalities, including Don Rickles, Herb Alpert, and Dick Cavett. Her experience both on stage and behind the microphone gives her a special appreciation for the connection between a performer and an audience.
Lee Boocock-Stephenson discovered his passion for dance at just six years old, and that passion has taken him around the world competing in ballroom dance. During his competitive career, he consistently ranked among the top 10 dancers on the IDTA U.K. national circuit. In 2019, he won the NSTD U.K. Couples Title, placing first in all dances. After 15 years of competing, teaching, and choreographing, Lee is now the proud owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Rutherford, where he helps dancers of all ages develop their skills and confidence. His understanding of stage presence, movement, and the dedication it takes to perform at a high level brought another valuable perspective to our judging panel.
We were also thrilled to welcome two new judges to Season 2.
Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi is an accomplished South African singer, actress, and international musical theatre performer whose career has taken her to prestigious stages around the world. She is internationally recognized for her work in Disney’s acclaimed musical The Lion King, where she has performed the iconic role of Rafiki. As a former Idols South Africa contestant, Ntsepa also understands firsthand the excitement, challenges, and vulnerability that come with pursuing a dream and putting yourself out there as an aspiring artist. She brought an incredible wealth of international performance experience and a passion for discovering and encouraging talent.
Michael Rizzo brought yet another creative perspective to the panel. Michael is an award-winning fantasy fiction writer, musician, and member of the local band The Big House. He plays guitar and mandolin, writes music, and balances his creative pursuits with his work in finance as a commercial loan officer. He is also deeply involved in our community, serving in leadership roles with several local organizations, including the Kip Center, Rutherford Public Library Foundation, Rutherford Chamber of Commerce, and Felician Board of Regents. His experience as a writer and musician gives him an appreciation for originality, creativity, and the courage it takes to share something personal with an audience.
Together, these five judges brought an incredible range of experience, from professional music and dance to international theatre, writing, and live performance. We wanted a panel that could appreciate different forms of talent.
Most importantly, we wanted judges who would appreciate that these are young performers still learning, growing, and discovering what they are capable of. We are so grateful to all five for sharing their time and expertise with us. And the fact that our three returning judges had so much fun in Season 1 that they wanted to come back before the first show had even faded from memory really says something about the spirit of this event!
While Rutherford’s Got Talent is a competition, our bigger goal is to build confidence, celebrate creativity, and give young people opportunities to pursue their passions. Having a panel of judges who genuinely care about the arts and our community helps us accomplish exactly that.
TIR: The Rutherford Arts Council came up with this idea a couple of years ago and organizes this event. What goes into the planning and preparation?
GO: Rutherford’s Got Talent is a project of the Rutherford Arts Council, and the planning begins months before the actual show. There are a lot of details that go into producing an event like this, from securing the venue and coordinating with the school, to managing registrations, organizing the lineup, arranging sound and stage logistics, recruiting volunteers, and securing sponsors to help cover the costs of the event and prizes.
Another important part of our planning is making sure the day runs smoothly for everyone involved. We coordinate with families, judges, volunteers, and venue staff so that performers know where they need to be and what to expect. With children as young as four participating, we also need to pay close attention to scheduling, backstage organization, and making sure everyone feels comfortable and ready when it is their turn.
We also use feedback from our post-show surveys to guide our planning for future seasons. Rather than assuming we know what works best, we want to hear directly from the families and participants and use their input to make thoughtful improvements.
It really is a team effort, and there is so much work happening behind the scenes that the audience never sees. But seeing everything come together on show day makes it worthwhile. We want to continue building an event that Rutherford looks forward to each year and that gives young performers a memorable opportunity to share their talents with the community.
TIR: Who assisted with this year's show?
GO: This year's show was truly a community effort! The Rutherford Arts Council organized and coordinated the event, but we could not have done it without the generosity and support of so many people.
Our judges generously volunteered their time, and our volunteers helped with everything from backstage coordination and assisting performers to keeping the event running smoothly. We had volunteers working directly with the children, helping them get from the ready room to the stage and back, making sure they knew where to go and felt supported throughout the day.
We are incredibly grateful to our financial sponsors for helping make Rutherford’s Got Talent possible. This year's sponsors included the Women’s Club, Columbia Bank, Allstate – Dan Meredith Agency, Studio 108, Jesse Davidson of The Agency, Go Help Confidently, Code Wiz, Web Samurai 4 Hire, Earl White Law, and Colette Marino.
We also want to recognize our in-kind sponsors, whose generous contributions helped bring the event together: Fred Astaire Dance Studio, School of Rock Carlstadt, Jenna’s Party Box, Casano’s Pizza, and Atelie Eryn Santos Hair Design, Ayala Pics Photography.
We also appreciate the cooperation of Rutherford High School and its staff, whose assistance with the venue and technical production was essential to putting on the show.
Most importantly, the families supported their children throughout the process, and our community showed up to cheer them on. An event like this takes many hands, and we are so thankful to everyone who gave their time, resources, and enthusiasm to make Season 2 possible.
TIR: What did you enjoy most about RGT this year?
GO: One of the things we enjoyed most this year was seeing everything come together at our new location at Rutherford High School. It was exciting to have a space that allowed us to grow the event and create a special experience for the performers and their families.
But honestly, the most rewarding part was watching the kids come off the stage. Seeing their excitement, their smiles, and their sense of accomplishment was priceless. Whether they felt proud, relieved, or just couldn't wait to tell everyone how it went, you could see how much the experience meant to them.
We also loved seeing how supportive the children were of one another. They cheered each other on before their performances, celebrated with one another afterward, and encouraged each other throughout the day. It was wonderful to see them recognize and appreciate each other's talents rather than simply focus on the competition.
Those moments really reminded us what Rutherford's Got Talent is all about. Yes, we want to give these kids a stage to showcase their abilities, but seeing them build confidence, make connections, and lift one another up was just as special as anything that happened on stage.
TIR: RGT was held at Rutherford High School this year. What made this a good space for the event?
GO: Rutherford High School was a great fit for Rutherford’s Got Talent this year because it gave us the space and resources to take the event to the next level. The larger stage gave our performers more room to showcase their talents, and the additional seating allowed us to welcome more family members and community supporters.
Having a built-in sound system was also a huge benefit, helping us create a more professional performance experience. And the full piano was a wonderful addition for our musical performers. Overall, the auditorium provided a fantastic setting for the show and helped us create a special experience for both the performers and the audience.
TIR: Who were the winners this year?
Age Group 4-9
1st Place - Christian Ferreira (Michael Jackson)
2nd Place - Victoria DeSantis & Rosie Edmunds (Swifty Girls )
3rd Place - Viha & Vaachi Shah (The Rhythmic Sisters)
Crowd Favorite - Sarah Gherger
Age Group 10-14
1st Place - Ella Bucey
2nd Place - Madhavi Pandarathil & Reeva Damodar (Bolly Beats)
3rd Place - Derin Unal
Crowd Favorite - Sienna Torres
We’d love to see Rutherford’s Got Talent continue to grow, and one way we hope to do that is by encouraging adults to apply, too! Talent doesn’t have an age limit, and we’d love to showcase the amazing abilities of performers of all ages in our community.
You can also catch this year’s first-place winners performing at Rutherford’s Porchfest on Saturday, October 17. We’re excited to give them another opportunity to share their talents with the community!
We’re always looking for volunteers to join us next year. The more helping hands we have, the smoother the day runs and the more attention we can give to the performers and their experience. Putting on a show like this takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work, and we’re grateful for everyone who helps make it possible.
As we look ahead, we’re continually learning and finding ways to improve the event. Ultimately, while Rutherford’s Got Talent is a competition, our bigger goal is to create opportunities for performers to grow in confidence, explore their creativity, and share their talents with the community. We want every participant to leave feeling proud of themselves and excited about what they accomplished, regardless of whether they take home a trophy.
Our hope is that they’re still riding that cloud-nine feeling days after the show, remembering the experience with a smile and feeling proud that they had the courage to step onto that stage. Most of all, we want the experience to inspire them to keep pursuing what they love.
That’s what makes Rutherford’s Got Talent so meaningful to us. It’s about more than winning; it’s about celebrating talent, building confidence, encouraging people to pursue what they love, and bringing our community together.
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