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Twenty Children Ages 12-and-Under to Perform Patriotic-Themed Songs on the World's Stage at the 2008 US Open

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The USTA today announced the names of 20 talented vocalists ages 12-and-under who will perform patriotic-themed songs at the 2008 US Open. The line-up for 2008 features talent from the New York metro area as well as Kissimmee, Florida, Washington, D.C., and Dothan, Alabama.

As a special feature, two local family acts will take the stage together — five D’Auria-Gupta brothers ages 7 to 12 from Rockville Centre, New York and two Kogarova sisters ages 6 and 10 from Brooklyn, New York. In addition, Kissimmee’s six-year-old Gina Marie Incandela — who learned to sing as part of her therapy for autism — will add Arthur Ashe Stadium to her impressive singing resume. In 2008 alone, she has performed the National Anthem at the New York Mets’ Shea Stadium, the Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park and the Florida Marlins’ Dolphin Stadium.

The following is the list of casting call winners in alphabetical order:

Name Age Hometown
Elijah Boothe 12 Jackson, NJ
Carmine D’Auria-Gupta 10 Rockville Centre, NY
Francesco D’Auria-Gupta 10 Rockville Centre, NY
Gaetano D’Auria-Gupta 12 Rockville Centre, NY
Leonardo D’Auria-Gupta 7 Rockville Centre, NY
Marconi D’Auria-Gupta 10 Rockville Centre, NY
Alexis Deblasio 9 Valley Cottage, NY
Sasha Delaquis 10 Kew Garden Hills, NY
*Brooke Demetri 9 Glen Head, NY
*Owen Doherty 9 Rumson, NJ
Davia Echols 12 Freehold, NJ
Gina Marie Incandela 6 Kissimmee, FL
James E. Keelen, Jr. 10 Flemington, NJ
Irena Kogarova 6 Brooklyn, NY
Maria Kogarova 10 Brooklyn, NY
Gillian Koch 7 Demarest, NJ
Elijah Lawrence 12 Washington, DC
Lydia Manuel 8 Wilton, CT
Beatrice Miller 9 Maplewood, NJ
Calen Santos 11 Dothan, AL
*Also selected to perform at the 2007 US Open.

Each of the 20 children will perform in front of anticipated sellout crowds in Arthur Ashe Stadium, one of the premier stages in all of sports and entertainment. The performers were selected at the second annual open casting call held at Radio City Music Hall. Performances were conducted in front of a panel of three celebrity judges — former Top 10 American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis, Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy and former MTV “Total Request Live” host Susie Castillo.

The US Open is the highest-attended annual sporting event with record crowds anticipated again this year, making this a great opportunity for the chosen performers. These children will join the group of music industry leaders who have performed at the US Open, ranging from Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin to Liza Minnelli and Boyz II Men.

Posted on August 12, 2008
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