NEW YORK,NY (SMI-SPORTS,08.20.19) – The USTA today announced the names of 12 vocalists, ages 14 and under, who will perform patriotic-themed songs during the night sessions of the 2019 US Open and at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. The lineup for this year’s US Open will feature a new slate of talent with one returning to the line-up from throughout the New York tri-state area, as well as from California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.

 

This year’s talented performers feature 11 new singers. Kicking off with the “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2019 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day powered by Net Generation on Aug. 24 is singer, actress, and dancer Violet Young of New York City.

 

The youngest performers on the roster include two 10-year-old up-and-coming Broadway performers. Skye Turner of Dallas who was recently cast as young Tina Turner in the upcoming new musical “TINA” will be opening the women’s semifinals. Winter Donnelly, of New York who currently performs in Disney’s hit musical “Frozen,” will be performing at the men’s semifinals. Both will delight fans with their renditions of “America The Beautiful.”

 

Newcomer and Queens resident, 13-year-old Kelly Lukito, who’s an off-Broadway performer, will be representing the area of Flushing, which is also home of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

 

Returning for his second consecutive year is 12-year-old William Alexander of Staten Island who will lead the second day of this year’s tournament. Slated to perform at the US Open’s eighth annual Military Appreciation Day on Sept. 2 will be 13-year-old Daniel Wright of West Point, N.Y.

 

This year’s talented roster will perform in front of anticipated capacity crowds during the evening sessions in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

 

2019 US Open Anthem winners, in alphabetical order:

       Name,                   Age,       City/State

• William Alexander, 12,  Staten Island, N.Y.

• Simone Baker, 14, Sherman Oaks, Calif.

• Winter Donnelly, 10, New York

• Malcolm Fuller, 11, Waterford, Va.

• Gavin Heraldo, 14, Milpitas, Calif.

• Daniel Lukatsky, 12, Glen Rock, N.J.

• Kelly Lukito, 13, Flushing, N.Y.

• Ian Shaw, 13, Bloomington, Ind.

• Sunidhi Srinivas, 14, Phoenixville, Pa.

• Skye Turner, 10, Dallas

• Daniel Wright, 13, West Point, N.Y.

• Violet Young, 14, New York

• ​

The audition process for these coveted spots began earlier this summer close to 350 singers submitted performances via a nationwide online audition for the 13th anniversary US Open Anthem Auditions. A select number of contestants from the online audition were invited to participate in an in-person call-back audition, where they performed in front of a panel of judges from the music and entertainment industries.

 

Past US Open anthem winners and performers include Frenie Acoba (“Matilda” on Broadway), Angelica Hale (“America’s Got Talent” season 12), and Brennley Brown (“The Voice” season 12).

 

These children will join the group of music industry leaders who have performed at the event, including Kelly Clarkson, Lenny Kravitz, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Fitz and the Tantrums, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Diana Ross, Art Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, and Tony Bennett, to name a few. Headlining this year’s Opening Night Ceremony will be Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winning vocalist, actor and Atlantic Records recording artist Ben Platt of Broadway’s “Dear Evan Hansen.”