News

2009 US Open Casting Call

By Erin Bruehl, USTA.com

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Gina Incandela is no stranger to singing or performing in public, including professional sporting events.

The seven-year-old from Kissimmee, Fla. has performed at events ranging from Major League Baseball to National Basketball Association games and, in fact, currently has a streak of performing at Orlando Magic basketball games as the team is a perfect 6-0 when she has sung the national anthem lately, including five postseason victories.

But one of the Incandela’s favorite performances in her already prestigious singing career was being selected to sing the national anthem at a 2008 US Open day session.

So Incandela was back with her family at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Monday, June 8 to once again audition at the US Open Casting Call for a chance to sing at this year’s US Open.

She was one of 225 children 12-and-under who sang “America the Beautiful” a cappella at the third annual open casting call in front of three celebrity judges as an audition to perform live in Arthur Ashe Stadium during a night session of the 2009 US Open.

The casting call helped officially launch the summer season as tickets to the US Open also went on-sale to the general public.

Diana Degarmo, the runner-up on Season 3 of American Idol, Mark Indelicato of the hit show ‘Ugly Betty’ and past Arthur Ashe Kids' Day performer Lil Mama served as judges. Together, they saw the most-ever participants in US Open Casting Call history.

Of the 225, only approximately 14 children will be selected to perform at the US Open.

“It was great last year,” Incandela said of performing at the US Open. “I just like the US Open and tennis. I really wanted to try out again, it was so much fun. I love the big cities, the smell of the air, the food. I just really like it here in New York.”

Incandela learned to sing as part of music therapy for an autistic disorder and did not even speak until age three.

Now Incandela is a very in-demand performer and has her own CD with an original single, ‘I Dare to Dream’, released last summer with plans in the works for a second record. She has performed the song on The Today Show amongst other places.

Her family’s trip to New York for the Casting Call – where she was the first contestant on line – was just 24 hours however, because Incandela has to make it back to Florida to sing the national anthem at Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, June 9. But she told her mother, Michelle, she did not want to miss the chance to sing at the US Open again.

“She said, ‘I don’t care if I’m tired, I want try out again,’” Michelle Incandela said. “From the time we got to the US Open last year, it was one of the most amazing experiences. Gina was just thrilled that day and she just loved everything about it.

“The USTA is an amazing organization,” Michelle Incandela added. “The kids (at the Casting Call) are all very supportive of each other and it is done so well. They really get a sense of accomplishment just being here. They’re all wishing each other good luck and the USTA does a great job of organizing it.”

Incandela was one of a few prior winners who were back hoping to sing at another US Open. Brooke Demetri, 10, and Owen Doherty, 10, are both two-time winners and are hoping to make it three this year.

Demetri, of Glen Head, N.Y., had the honor last year of performing on 2008 Opening Night that celebrated all 40 US Open champions. She had the chance to meet some US Open champions, including Roger Federer and Venus and Serena Williams.

“Last year I was more comfortable with everything and it was easier because I knew what it would be like,” she said of performing at the 2008 US Open. “It was cool (at opening night), in front of the stadium I felt so small. And I got to walk down the hallway where all the players walk.”

She knew she wanted to come back this year for sure as she balances both a singing and ice skating career. As an ice skater, Demetri placed 14th at junior nationals last December.

“I like waiting in the line. You meet new friends, talk to people and I love singing,” she added of why she likes the Casting Call.

Doherty, of Rumson, N.J., sang last year on a Friday night matches featuring Lindsay Davenport and Andy Roddick. In his two years performing at the Open, he has had the opportunity to meet the legendary Billie Jean King as well as James Blake.

“You get to sing in front of a lot of people,” Doherty, a big tennis fan, said of why he enjoys performing at the US Open. “I like singing because it is performing your personality to someone else.”

And there were of course some first-time contestants as well as some contestants from prior years hoping that this is finally their year to be selected.

Sophie Haiman, 11, of Wayne, N.J., was the second contestant on line behind Incandela. She had been there with her mother, Hope, since about 4:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. start of the casting call. Hope Haiman had seen an advertisement on the Internet a few days prior and found all the information on usopen.org and Sophie immediately wanted to go.

“I really like performing and I thought it would be a good idea,” Sophie Haiman said. “I liked the idea that I would get to sing in front of a big audience.”

Right behind Haiman on line was Mary Amigud, 11, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who was at her third US Open Casting Call. She was not selected the first two years but hopes things are different this year. Amongst other accomplishments, she is the lead singer in her chorus at school where she just finished fifth grade.

“It is fun (the Casting Call),” she said. “I am really hoping this time it will work. I’ve been to the US Open a few times and I really like watching all the players.”

Also amongst the early birds on line was also 11-year-old Aviella Winder of Rochester, N.Y., who was expecting to sing ‘America the Beautiful’ a cappella but unlike most of the contestants, she brought along her guitar as well just in case.

“It depends what they like, I came prepared to sing a cappella but I can play guitar,” she said prior to her audition. “I’ve never been to the US Open before but I like watching tennis a lot.”

(Winder did sing a cappella during her audition).

A few local kids also came out for the first time, including Kyle Parks, 11, of Yonkers, N.Y. and Jack Tartaglia, 12, of Yorktown, N.Y.

Parks’ favorite tennis player is Venus Williams and loves to sing, especially blues and R&B. He has performed in kids’ talent concerts at Madison Square Garden, the Izod Center as well as the Apollo – and won them all.

“I just thought I would give it a chance. I’m always looking for new opportunities,” Park said of coming to the Casting Call. “I just love singing and it would be cool to sing in front of everyone at the US Open.”

Tartaglia is a huge tennis fan and his favorite players are Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. His performing resume includes a stint in Shakespeare in the Park (in Central Park) two years ago as one of the fairies in ‘A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream’ as well as some off-Broadway shows.

But the chance to sing at the US Open sounds just perfect to him.

“I love tennis and I love to sing, they are my two favorite things,” Tartaglia said. “I’ve been to the US Open the past two years and I just like watching the matches. It would be a great experience (to sing there), I would love it.”

Which children are selected to perform will not be decided until sometime in July but from what the judges saw on Monday, many of the children have bright futures and gave performances they will not soon forget.

“It was a fun day and about four of five kids really stand out that I can still remember,” Indelicato said at the conclusion of the event.

Added Degarmo: “There were a few we thought, ‘That kid is going to be great one day.’”

Lil Mama really enjoyed seeing all the kids and their varying styles of singing from country to soul.

“They were beautiful kids and there was a lot of talent,” she said. “It was fantastic whether they were trying hard or were really great (singers).”

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