'America's Got Talent' on NBC: Who is Sing Harlem? Breakout choir is significant in NYC gospel scene
Vy Higginsen's award-winning Sing Harlem choir will perform in Season 17 of 'America's Got Talent' on July 19. The musical group will be judged by veteran comedian Howie Mandel, the show's creator Simon Cowell, international fashion icon Heidi Klum, and award-winning actress and global celebrity Sofia Vergara on the set of the world's most successful variety show.
Terry Crews is also back as the host of the show. Aside from the choir, there will be performances by several other artists, including a family country trio named 'Next Women of Country' act by CMT, and an indie singer who starred in the Broadway musical 'Once'.
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Who is Sing Harlem?
Sing Harlem was founded to serve as the breakout choir at Mama Foundation for the Arts' School of Gospel, Jazz, and R&B Arts. The choir has evolved to be a highly regarded and prominent force in the New York gospel industry, producing not just exceptional vocalists but also top-tier global citizens under the guidance of Ahmaya Knoelle Higginson.
The Foundation, established by the writer/producer of 'Mama, I Want to Sing', is recognized as a highly respected and powerful source of education and self-development for young people as highlighted in CBS 60 Minutes' Emmy-winning broadcast. 'Mama, I Want to Sing' tells the story of a gifted young girl who, despite her mother's strong objections, dreams of quitting her church choir to seek a career in popular music.
Creator Vy Higginsen based her musical on the biography of her sister Doris Troy, whose 1963 single 'Just One Look' rocketed her to international stardom, as a tribute to the many African-American musicians with church choir roots who rose to fame in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
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Sing Harlem has performed at several prestigious venues, programs, and concerts across the United States, including Brooklyn's Afropunk, Chicago's Ravinia Festival, the US Open, Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Fashion Week (TOMMYxZENDAYA), The Stellar Awards, and The Congressional Black Caucus.
'The Grammy Awards', 'VH1 Trailblazer Honors', 'Good Morning America', 'The View', 'Saturday Night Live', 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert', and 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' are among the television appearances. As You Like It (Public Theater, Public Works), The Mile Long Opera (David Lang, Liz Diller), and The Let Go Nick Cave) are among the theatrical productions. Sing Harlem continues to accompany a range of musical performers, including Madonna, Chance the Rapper, Lykke Li, Alessia Cara, Pharrell Williams, Arianna Grande, Sting, and SZA, in addition to headlining.
To follow Sing Harlem's 'AGT' journey, you can watch the show on NBC.com or watch it live on Tuesday, July 19 at 8 pm EST.