'America's Got Talent': Meet members of Northwell Health Nurse choir, the first golden buzzer act
'America's Got Talent' Season 16 has announced its first golden buzzer act on premiere night. The Northwell Health Nurse Choir from New York is the first act to have received direct entrance to the live shows after Howie Mandel pressed the golden button for this inspiring group of frontline workers. 18 nurses were up on the stage sending out a message of hope for a better tomorrow. Not all heroes wear capes, some wear scrub jackets and these frontline workers just raised the bar of the competition by becoming the first golden buzzer act of the season.
The choir group reflected on what it was like to care for people who fell sick during the pandemic and how each of them stepped in to comfort these patients who were left alone in recovery. "The hardest part was seeing these patients alone. They couldn't have their families with them, so we stepped in as their family. I come home and I was so afraid to hug my family when that was the only thing I wanted to do," said one, fighting back tears. They had to be strong for others during one of the toughest times that the world we know today had ever seen and the power radiated through each one of them as they stood up on that stage to sing. Continue reading below to know about each of the 18 members of Northwell Choir.
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Meet the members of Northwell Health Nurse Choir from New York
Jodi Beasley
Jodi Beasley is a cardiac nurse at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center. 'My job is to educate patients on managing their diagnoses upon discharge. I live on Long Island with my husband and am very thankful to have my kids and grandkids close by. I enjoy cooking for family gatherings, singing at church (and with friends), and right now I am learning to crochet," read her bio.
Darice Borlaza
Darice Borlaza is a PACU Nurse at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center. "Music and nursing are both close to my heart. I started singing when I was 6 at my church in the Philippines and now one of the Praise and Worship leaders in Hillside Church in Queens. I'm a mother of three talented kids and I inspire them to care for people and love music as well," her bio reads.
Jenny Philip Chacko
Jenny Chacko is an Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Phelps Hospital. "I live in Bronx with my husband and 3-year-old son. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and POTS, so I'm passionate about disability advocacy and raising awareness - and I'm developing a new surgical testing program. My work, family, and love for singing make my life full and happy," reads her bio.
Gaelle Clesca
Gaelle Clesca is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with Cohen Children's Medical Center. "I've been a pediatric nurse for 14 years. I live on Long Island and am currently working on my PhD in nursing. I always follow my mom's advice, "Have a pure heart, work hard, and you will shine! I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, ballroom dancing, fashion designing and singing," she wrote in her bio.
Sydney Daniel
Sydney Daniel is an orthopedic nurse at the Long Island Jewish Valley Stream. "I was born in Germany and raised in Brooklyn and Long Island. I'm currently an orthopedic nurse at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream. I'm a loving mother, former firefighter, and was once a nationally ranked chess player," her bio reads.
Danielle Filippone
Danielle Filippone is a registered nurse with Staten Island University Hospital. "The nursing care my mom received after her cancer diagnosis inspired me to become a nurse. My 7-year-old autistic son and I used music to communicate, and singing together gave my son a voice. I'm so grateful to be part of this choir with such an amazing group - they have become true friends," her bio reads.
Janelle Garcia
Janelle Garcia is a Hematology-Oncology nurse at the North Shore University Hospital. "I'm a Queens native, Filipino-American and the third nurse in my family. Aside from singing, I like to dance, binge-watch Netflix, brother my nephew, and eat. A lot. It's been a dream come true to be able to sing for all of you. I'm hoping everyone can feel the love we put into our work," her bio reads.
Julieta Hernandez
Julieta Hernandez is a Registered Nurse working with Cohen Children's Medical Center. "Born in Argentina, I live in New York with my husband, daughter and goldendoodle. I love traveling, Italian food, and singing to premature babies in the NICU. A graduate of Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, I'm excited to perform again as part of the Northwell Health Nurse Choir," her bio reads.
Josh Hombrebueno
Josh Hombrebueno is a cardiothoracic ICU nurse working at the South Shore University Hospital. "I got my start in music in high school choir and I was involved with musical theater and a capella throughout college. Aside from music and medicine, I enjoy teaching chemistry, cooking, and tinkering with pour-over coffee and espresso. I'm also a proud dad to a fat gray cat," his bio reads.
Keshia Jaboin
Keshia Jaboin is an Assistant Nurse Manager at the North Shore University Hospital. "I have been a nurse for seven years and I've loved every second of it. Nursing has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life and I'm honored to be able to touch so many lives. I love to sing, travel, and live life like every day's my last," her bio reads.
Lisa Kennedy
Lisa Kennedy is a registered nurse at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center. "I've been an RN for over 40 years, and I'm a lactation consultant. I can't describe the joy helping mothers and infants bond brings me. I've been happily married for 41 years and I have another passion: singing. I sent in an audition tape and I was selected! And so the journey begins!" her bio reads.
Winnie Mele
Winnie Mele is the Director of Perioperative Service at the Plainview Hospital. "I've been a nurse for 41 years and am grateful for all the profession has given me. I've been married for 40 years and am the proud son of three sons. I'm blessed with a large extended family with whom we love spending time. I also love to golf, sit by my pool, and eat with friends and family.
Christian Montanez
Christian Montanez is a Float registered nurse with the North Shore University Hospital. "I am a nurse by day, and musician by night. Aside from singing, I like to play guitar, beatbox, and rap. Combining my two passions of caring for people and music has always been a dream of mine. My goal is to spread happiness through my positive vibes, one smile at a time!" reads his bio.
Shonda Ramirez
Shonda Ramirez is a Nurse Case Manager with Long Island Jewish Forest Hills. "I've been an ED nurse since 1993 and have four children. I got my love of singing from my mother, but I was always too shy to pursue singing, which is why this choir is so special to me. Meeting all these diverse and wonderful people is an experience I realize I needed in my life. This is awesome!" she wrote in her bio.
Emanuel Remilus
Emanuel Remilus is a nurse at the Cohen Children's Medical Center. "When I was young, I was in and out of hospitals, but I look back with fondness because I had nurses who took great care of me. These nurses inspired me to become a nurse, and now I have been a pediatric nurse for seven years. I'm so happy I get to do what I love with people I admire and respect.
Jonell Kenneth Robles
Jonell Kenneth Robles is an Assistant Nurse Manager at the Lenox Hill Hospital. "My passion for helping others is what inspired me to become a nurse - I've been an RN for about seven years. Aside from nursing, I enjoy traveling, working out, boxing, playing piano, and saxophone, singing, seeing a show, and spending time with family and friends," his bio read.
Ben Thomas
Ben Thomas is a Nurse Educator at Plainview Hospital. "I have a passion for education and nursing, so my role helps me fulfill both. My hobbies include making music in my home studio (when I don't have my two toddlers climbing all over me). My wife also works for Northwell Health, and we are expecting a third child soon," wrote this soon-to-be father of three in his bio.
Cassidy Toben
Cassidy Toben is a Nurse Manager at the Lenox Hill Hospital. "I've worked at Lenox Hill for the last 10 years and truly love the sense of family I feel every day. Music has always been such a huge part of my life, so I'm grateful to share that passion with an incredible group of Northwell nurses. I also like to travel and spend time with friends and family," her bio reads.
'America's Got Talent' airs on Tuesdays at 8 pm ET on NBC.