NEIGHBORS IN THE NEWS

N. Bellmore singer wins ‘Got talent? Long Island’

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Fifteen-year-old Kristen Murphy, of North Bellmore, recently placed first in the fifth annual “Got Talent? Long Island” competition, sponsored by the Huntington Arts Council. In doing so, she earned the right to perform alongside professional musicians at a popular festival.

Her mother, Anne, said she auditioned at Hofstra University for the contest. There, she received a “golden ticket” to move on to the finals a month later.

Kristen competed at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center at Five Towns College against 21 other finalists. Her rendition of “Popular,” a tune from the Broadway show “Wicked,” wowed the judges, and she took home the first-place prize.


Along with $1,000, Kristen was given the chance to open a concert at the Huntington Summer Arts Festival, performing with the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra. Anne said Kristen’s set at the Chapin Rainbow Stage at Heckscher State Park comprised four Broadway-style songs: “Popular,” “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Part of Your World,” and “Back to Before.”

“Got Talent? Long Island” was not the first area competition that Kristen has won. Last year, she placed first in the “Reach For The Stars” talent contest at Eisenhower Park. And she continues to perform with theater groups across Long Island.