The Performers of 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 they started in 1996 working together to raise money for charity. Jaime has performed in school, community, college and regional theaters. Now in her 3rd year at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee where she is majoring in Christian Leadership, twenty-one year old Jaime, is a member of the Actor's Equity Union in New York City, a title she earned while performing in the National Broadway Tour of "Goosebumps Live on Stage." Following the 9/11 tragedy in New York City, Jaime, along with fellow group member Kaitlyn, recorded the song "We Choose Love" in New York City along with Broadway singers and other youth. Jaime hopes that Dream Kids will continue to grow as a family and last for years to come.
Shannon Buck - Shannon is a singer who is a member of the Pennsylvania Youth Theater and has performed in many of their plays. Shannon won the first Lehigh Valley Idol contest. She has performed in "Annie Warbucks" with the Northeast Theatrical Alliance at Bangor High School. She has also starred in many plays with the Pocono Lively Arts.
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 Theater 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.
Mikaela Esposito - Mikaela is from Lower Nazareth and she sings in the choir at Lower Nazareth Elementary School. 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 the role of Molly in Nazareth High School's performance of Annie. 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. 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 Theater. These three sisters from Easton dance to charming tunes such as "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."
Sarah Harding - Sarah is an energetic singer who recently graduated from Northampton Community College and can be seen in various plays throughout the Lehigh Valley. Sarah hopes that Dream Kids will continue to grow and the younger members will move up and assume the leadership positions.
Rebecca Heller - Rebecca (who prefers to be called Becca), is one of our newest members of Dream Kids. In 2006, she won the Star of Bethlehem competition at Musikfest. 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.
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 the Island and Bye Bye Birdie. 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 Junior Idol, which is a program designed to develop children in singing and performing. 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 attends Nazareth Middle School and has performed in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at Holy Family school and Bye Bye Birdie at Nazareth Middle School.
Bethany McCall - Bethany is a singer/dancer who attends Pa. Youth Theatre (PYT) where she enjoys dancing, acting and singing. She brings along another special gift, the gift of signing, for those who can't hear. She is also a member of her school drama club and chorus. Bethany has performed in various productions at school and PYT. Bethany is very excited to be a part of a group that donates time to such a worthwhile cause.
Kristal Nemeroff - Kristal is currently attending East Stroudsburg University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pleasant Valley High School and made the Dean’s List during her first year in college. Not only has she excelled academically, but musically as well. Her vocal accomplishments include singing for the 2004 Campaign to re-elect President George Bush, in which she personally got to meet Laura 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 attends Nazareth Middle School and has performed in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at Holy Family school and in Bye Bye Birdie at Nazareth Middle School.
Brooke Vinson - Brooke is a senior at Nazareth area High School. She played basketball and this passed summer played tournament ball for the Waves softball team. She will currently be playing varsity softball this upcoming year for the Blue Eagles softball team. Brooke is an Honor Society student at the Career Institute of Technology. She is also an Honor student at Nazareth High. She loves to sing and hopes to compete in the near future.
Elizabeth Weiss - Elizabeth Is a 6th grader at Holy Family School in Nazareth. She 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 was a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz, a lead mouse and a dancer in Cinderella, a head oompa and a dancer in Willy Wonka. This year she also had a duel role as the comical Admiral Boom and is also a Chimney Sweep dancer in their production of Mary Poppins. 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 Girlscout, 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.
