The Dream Kids

Who are the performers of Dream Kids? Well, they are all different. But whether black, white, boy, girl, physically challenged, tall, short, shy, brave, confident, young, or older they all have one thing in common. They share their talents in order to directly make a difference in the lives of others. They are from Northhampton, Lehigh, York, and Monroe counties and they attend Nazareth, Bethlehem, Stroudsburg, Pocono, Allentown, and Gettysburg school districts. But wherever they are, they’re setting the tone for the rest of their lives in reaching out, entertaining, and helping others. Where have they performed? From churches to nursing homes and restaurants, shopping malls to fashion shows, backyards, telethons, and carnivals, they have been very active in the community. But as these spirited performers grow older, they eventually will be off to college and living their own lives. Through it all however, they will always hold dear the special people they have met, the friends they have made, and the joy they have given to others.

Jaime Lyn Keller
Jaime co-founded Dream Kids, which was started in 1996 working together to raise money for charity. Jaime has performed in school, community, college, regional & professional theater. Now a graduate from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, Jaime hopes that Dream Kids will continue to grow as a family and last for years to come.

Alexa Dectis
Alexa is a precious member of our group. Alexa comes with a wealth of attributes. Alexa is a member of the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre and is also very active with Camelot for Kids. Alexa has a disease called “SMA” (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). Alexa received her dream of a trip to Disney World from Dream Come True and she now is giving back to this wonderful organization. Alexa’s wish for herself as well as for others is that enough money is raised and more research is done to find a cure for this debilitating disease.

Marissa Brewer
Marissa is a singer from Nazareth who also performs in theater. She has performed for Holy Family School, Pa. Youth Theatre and Bethlehem Catholic High School.

Mikaela Esposito
Mikaela is from Lower Nazareth and she sings in the church choir St. John Lutheran Church. She is a “Jersey Girl” with stars in her eyes and Hollywood in her heart. When Mikaela isn’t singing, she’s thinking about singing; and when she’s not thinking about singing, she’s dreaming of her first starring role in a major motion picture. She has performed in Nazareth High School’s performance of Annie and various plays at Nazareth Middle School. She has performed as Marta in Muhlenberg College Regional Theatre’s production of The Sound of Music. She would like to thank Mrs. Linda Strechay (her 2nd grade teacher) for encouraging her to give Dream Kids a try.

Zack Esposito
Zack is a singer from Lower Nazareth and attends Nazareth Area Middle School. He enjoys performing on stage as well as helping behind the scenes. He has performed in various shows at Nazareth Middle School. In addition to playing baseball, Zack also enjoys creating his own comic strip series and working on the computer.

Gilbert sisters – Taryn, Tasia, and Teara
This tap team trio has appeared in a national Campbell’s Soup commercial as well as performed for Broadway Rhythms. Their musical training includes study at the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre. These three sisters from Easton dance to charming tunes such as “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”

Jewel Gilbert
Jewel is one of our few male singers who also joins with his sisters and brother to sing several tunes

Jorne Gilbert
Jorne is one of our few male singers who also joins with his sisters and brother to sing several tunes

Rebecca Heller
Rebecca (who prefers to be called Becca), won the Star of Bethlehem competition at Musikfest in 2006. She writes many of her own songs and performs with her dad who plays the guitar. She has been in many variety and talent shows in the Easton school district. Some of her other accomplishments have been: singing on the Brenda & Jerry T.V. show, singing the national anthem for the Lehigh Valley Catz games & Palmer Township Football games. She was a finalist in the Lehigh Valley Idol competition. Becca really enjoys singing and hopes to make it a future career. She also really loves helping people, and that’s why she is with the Dream Kids. She received a dream from Dream Come True as she battles Chron’s disease.

Jilian Keller
Jilian is a talented singer from Nazareth who is a member of Pa. Youth Theatre and has appeared in many of their plays. She has had the lead role in the Nazareth Middle School performances of Once on this Island and Bye Bye Birdie. More recently she played the part of the Mistress in Nazareth High School’s production of Evita. Jilian loves to perform and help raise money for others less fortunate than her.

Erin Kelly
Erin is an amazing singer from Allentown. She has performed for many Veterans Organizations and sang for the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia 76ers and the Hershey Bears, as well as many other sports teams in the region. She also has been performing with the Majestics Band since the age of 5. In 2006, she was the Lehigh Valley’s Junior Idol. She loves sports and enjoys donating her time to such a wonderful charity like Dream Come True.

Amanda Kroboth
Amanda is a fabulous dancer from Nazareth who has performed in high school and college performances. She was our original Dream Kids dancer. She graduated from Desales University.

Arissa Lahr
Arissa is a talented singer who attends Nazareth High School and has had the lead in various shows at Nazareth Middle School and has performed in Nazareth High School’s productions. 

Kristal Nemeroff
Kristal is an accomplished singer. Her vocal accomplishments include singing for the 2004 Campaign to re-elect President George Bush, singing the National Anthem for the Baltimore Orioles, singing at the Pocono International Raceway for NASCAR events, winning the title of Pocono Teen Idol 2006, and volunteer singing for community events and charities. She has a brittle bone disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or OI for short. She has had over twenty fractures and ten surgeries, but she doesn’t let OI stop her from doing the things she loves to do. Kristal loves working with Dream Kids because it gives her a chance to give back to this wonderful foundation that granted her wish of going to Disney World.

Kaitlyn Nonnemacher
Kaitlyn is a singer/dancer who has been working with Dream Kids for many years. Kaitlyn has had dance, acting, and vocal training locally with the Pa. Youth Theatre (PYT) and in New York City. She also has performed in numerous PYT productions. Kaitlyn, along with fellow group member Jaime, recorded the song “We Choose Love” in New York with other singers and youth. Kaitlyn dances jazz and hip-hop at Dream Kids productions as well as sings with the group.

Vanessa Ruggiero
Vanessa is a talented singer who attends Nazareth High School and has had the lead in various shows at Nazareth Middle School and has performed in Nazareth High School’s productions.

Ryan Skerchak
Ryan is a talented performer who has been in several productions at Nazareth Senior High School. 

Elizabeth Weiss
Elizabeth is an energetic performer who loves to use her talents to make people happy and help others. She has performed in Holy Family School’s four musical productions. She has also performed with Holy Family’s Choir for the past 7 years and joined Dream Kids in 2006. Elizabeth is very active in both sports and community. She plays basketball and volleyball, is a Girl Scout, and takes piano, voice, art and sign language classes. When she grows up she wants to be an artist and scientist. As a scientist she wants to help find a cure for Autism.