Today was the second semi-final of America’s Got Talent and here are the semi-finalist and their brief introduction. Since five finalist qualified for the finals from the 1st semi-final, this time too the top five contestants will go to the final. This time there won’t be any judge’s selection.

Recycled Percussion, Lawrence Beamen, Erik and Rickie, Jeffrey Ou, Hairo Torres, The EriAm Sisters, Mario & Jenny, Drew Stevyns, FootworKINGz, Barbara Padilla

1) Recycled Percussion (Goffstown, New Hampshire)

Ryan and Justin are not only cousins but also the drummers; James joins them on guitar and DJ Todd rounds out the group that is rightfully called Recycled Percussion. For the past 10 years they have been creating their unique style of music with just about anything they can get their hands on — everyday household objects like ladders, buckets, trashcans and even metal grinders! This high-energy group promises to bring every ounce of rock and roll to the “America’s Got Talent” stage and wants to prove to the world that it doesn’t matter where you come from, it’s more important where you are going. Recycled Percussion is determined to inspire a drug-free youth to tune in and watch the amazing things you can do when you put your mind to it.

2) Lawrence Beamen (Walnut Creek, California)

Lawrence is a native of the Deep South (Mississippi) and his quiet, humble upbringing is a complete contrast to his booming voice and intense passion for music. The remarkable gift grabbed him at the early age of six and it hasn’t let go. His gospel background was strengthened with classical training and his repertoire grew through discipline and commitment. Lawrence’s sound reflects the great voices that have influenced his musical style: the depth of Barry White, the soul of Mahalia Jackson, the honesty of Bill Withers. His talent as well as his humility have earned Lawrence a place on America’s Got Talent and he hopes he’ll continue to impress both the audience and the judges.

3) Erik and Rickie (Seattle, Washington)

Erik and Rickie began ballroom dancing at the young age of four. They started in a class and were quickly paired up due to their similar size and age. They became fast friends and were soon performing in showcases and competing. They have won several national titles over the last two years. Erik and Rickie dance 10 different dances: the waltz, tango, foxtrot, Viennese waltz, quickstep, cha cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and, last but not least, the jive. They love performing for a variety of audiences, especially retirement communities. Rickie said, “I love to imagine these people dancing when they were younger.” Being on “America’s Got Talent” has given Erik and Rickie the chance to share their love of dancing with Americans of all ages.

4) Jeffrey Ou (Carrollton, Texas)

Jeffery was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and showed a remarkable gift for music as a very young child. His family moved to the United States when he was three and he began formal training in piano at six. Jeffrey launched his competitive career at 13, and won first prize in piano and was named one of three overall grand prize winners in the 2004 North Texas Youth Music Competition. Since then, he has continued to excel in local, national and international competitions. Jeffrey recently graduated from Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas, where he was a member of many musical groups and orchestras. When not at school or participating in competitions, Jeffrey enjoys bringing his gift of music to nursing homes in the area where he lives. “America’s got Talent” marks his first appearance on reality television, and brings him one step to closer to realizing his dream of uniting people from different backgrounds and cultures through music.

5) Hairo Torres (Grants Pass, Oregon)

Hairo Torres is a 23-year-old breakdancer who was born in Southern California and raised in Grants Pass, Oregon. He began his dance journey at 13 and it has helped transform Hairo’s life for the better. Hairo currently works two jobs — as a clerk at a video store and at a distribution plant — but has dreamed of making a living using the love and passion he feels for his craft. Despite the skepticism he has faced from family and friends over the years, Hairo has continued to practice and to perfect his dance moves. Hairo is taking on the “America’s Got Talent” competition in hopes of capturing his dreams, making his family and friends proud, and inspiring anyone who has hopes and dreams of becoming someone special in this world.
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6) The EriAm Sisters (Seattle, Washington)

The Abraham sisters are everyday young girls who happen to have extraordinary voices. Their parents were born in the East African country of Eritrea and soon moved to Amsterdam where both Lianda and Salina were born. Upon moving to Seattle, Haben was born, thus completing the singing trio. Since the age of two, the sisters have been belting out songs in more than one language. The girls started singing in their living room and entertained family members during Christmas and other family occasions. Naturally, like most parents, the Abrahams felt their daughters were extraordinary, but they didn’t realize they weren’t alone until a music teacher brought it to their attention that their daughters had a unique gift. Whenever they are together, be it in the car, their room or walking outside, singing is one thing that makes the girls happy. With their parents full support, the girls are ready to move their performance from their living room at home to the biggest stage of their young lives.

7) Mario & Jenny (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Husband and wife Mario Ferreira and Jennifer Romas-Ferreira take the stage with a blast of energy and showcase their talents including juggling, dancing and comedy. Mario represents the seventh generation of entertaining Ferreiras. At age eight he started walking in his father’s footsteps on the tight wire! Jennifer got her start as a gymnast and went on to become a Minnesota State Floor Champion. Coaches thought she might benefit by taking dance to improve her gymnastics and this flipped Jennifer in a new direction. With huge support from her parents, she left Minnesota for a dance scholarship in Chicago. Today she enjoys teaching and judging national dance competitions for the up-and-coming little stars, but her true passion is performing and working with Mario. Together, Mario and Jennifer feel that they are unstoppable and look forward to taking the “America’s Got Talent” competition by storm.

Drew Stevyns (Sykesville, Maryland)

At age two Drew learned to sing “Happy Birthday” for his dad’s birthday and, at age five, he asked his parents for a keyboard and piano lessons. When he and his family moved to England in 1989 Drew joined the Anglican choir, was a member of the Royal School of Church Music and was enrolled at the Cleeve Comprehensive School in Gloucestershire, where he performed competitively in the annual Cheltenham Arts Festival.

Returning to the U.S., Drew continued his musical development by taking piano lessons, singing in his high school chorus, and teaching himself to play guitar. After graduating high school Drew worked a variety of jobs: fast food, construction, and landscaping, so that he could continue to pursue his dream of music. While locally he has made a name for himself, he is ready to introduce himself to the rest of America. He feels that his time spent with “America’s Got Talent” is “one of the most interesting experiences of my life and winning the competition would be a dream come true!

9) FootworKINGz (Chicago, Illinois)

The FootworKINGz (FWK) is a dance ensemble featuring the best of Chicago’s local footwork champions. FWK was founded in 2007 with a mission of attracting global recognition to this Chicago-born street dance.

10) Barbara Padilla (Houston, Texas)

Barbara Padilla was born in Guadalajara, Mexico where she studied music, acting, and dance. While in college, Barbara was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. During this time, Barbara was told that she might never be able to sing again because the radiation could harm her vocal chords. But she would not give up her dream.

After traveling to Houston for a consultation with doctors, Barbara had the chance to audition for the Moore’s School of Music at the University of Houston. She was awarded a full scholarship where she completed the Master’s Degree program, all while battling cancer. She was in treatment for several years and was near death on more than one occasion. Her faith, family and friends helped her through those difficult times.

Barbara is now in remission, living in Texas with her husband and beautiful three-year-old daughter. She feels incredibly blessed to have survived cancer and is ecstatic to be a part of America’s Got Talent.

All Pics and Text Courtesy: NBC / America’s Got Talent

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