NEW YORK(SMIWIRE,08.20.18) – The USTA today announced the names of 13 vocalists, ages 14 and under, who will perform patriotic-themed songs during the night sessions of the 2018 US Open and at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. The lineup for this year’s US Open will feature a new slate of talent from throughout the New York tristate area, as well as from Florida, Illinois and Michigan to name a few.

 

Kicking off with “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2018 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day powered by Net Generation on Aug. 25 are brother and sister duo, Dylan and Denver Humphrey of Orlando. Both singers also participate in USTA’s Net Generation 14 and Under and 10 and Under divisions respectively.

 

Returning for her third consecutive year is 12-year-old Kialani Mills from Litchfield Park, Ariz. Mills will also serve as one of this year’s “US Open Kidcaster”, where she will lead in multiple interviews onsite during the tournament. Also returning to perform are Lucia Fernandez de los Muros of Miami and Lucy Scorziello from Stamford, Conn. for their second consecutive time.

This year’s talented roster, including 10 singers making their US Open debuts, will perform “America the Beautiful” in front of anticipated capacity crowds during the evening sessions in Arthur Ashe Stadium. With this year marking the 50th anniversary of the US Open, singing on this grand stage is a great opportunity for the chosen performers.

 

2018 US Open Anthem winners, in alphabetical order:

 

Name-Age-City/State

William Alexander, 11, Staten Island, N.Y.

Hayden Bercy, 11, Marlboro, N.J.

Lucia Fernandez de los Muros, 13, Miami

Amanda Guach, 13, Fairview, N.J.

Srushti Gubbi, 12, Commerce Township, Mich.

Preston C. Howell, 14, Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Denver Humphrey, 10, Orlando, Fla.

Dylan Humphrey, 13, Orlando, Fla.

Anthony LaRussa, 13, Middle Village, N.Y.

Kialani Mills, 12, Litchfield Park, Ariz.

Rika Nishikawa, 11, Chicago                      

Lucy Scorziello, 14, Stamford, Conn.

Jordan Hazelton-Walker, 12, Freeport, N.Y.            

 

The audition process for these coveted spots began earlier this summer when more than 300 singers submitted performances via a nationwide online audition for the 12th 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 Lenny Kravitz, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Phil Collins, 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 GRAMMY Award winning music sensation Kelly Clarkson.

 

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The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization with more than 655,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, and launched the US Open Series, linking seven summer WTA and ATP World Tour tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA’s philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network.