Get ready for the 3rd annual Tampa's Got Talent!

So you think you can dance?

How about sing, act or play an instrument? If the answer is yes to any of these, we want to hear from you!

The Patel Conservatory's third annual Tampa's Got Talent competition will be Sunday, July 10, 2011. You'll have the chance to show off your talent and possibly win one of four scholarships for classes in voice, dance, theater or music.

Last year's dance scholarship recipient Johnny Maio had started his training years ago in Irish step. With the dance scholarship, he was able to study, and fall in love with, ballet, tap, modern and jazz.

“This past year has transformed him as a dancer,” said Linda Maio, Johnny’s mother.  “It’s taught him the fundamentals of dance and opened up a world for him.”


"I expected ballet would be easy, but as I got to know the style of dancing more and more, it showed me how that’s a base for any other style of dancing," said Johnny.


"This year has helped me be so much more flexible," he continued. "I didn’t realize how much you use your back and stomach muscles...it's very hard, and very cool."

Prior to last year, Johnny had suffered a couple of stress fractures in his hip from his years of Irish step.

At the Patel Conservatory, “he’s become an educated dancer. He now knows what’s good for his body, what’s bad for his body, how to stretch and warm up...it’s been very therapeutic for him,” said Linda. “Without this year, I don’t know if he would’ve kept dancing.”

In addition to the training he received, he also had many performance opportunities throughout the year, including in The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night’s Dream showcase. He still performs and teaches Irish step, but he’s developed a love for all types of dance and will continue his training at the Patel Conservatory. He’ll participate in our summer dance intensive and classes in the fall.


"I'd like to continue to perform throughout Tampa, and hopefully farther with my new talent," said Johnny.

It could happen for you, too!

The Tampa's Got Talent competition is free and open to anyone in the Tampa Bay area in grades 2 through adult. Competitors will perform a prepared two-minute performance piece in front of a panel of judges in one or more of the following categories: voice, dance, theater and/or musical instrument.

Full scholarships for fall classes at the Patel Conservatory will be awarded to the top  competitors in each category. 

The Patel Conservatory offers classes for children and adults in all skill levels in dance, music and theater. Classes include our youth theater camps and classes, private instrument lessons, voice lessons, on-camera acting, musical cabaret and many types of dance.


For more information, or to register to compete in Tampa's Got Talent, please call 813-222-6453.