From The Tribune staff reports
PINSON – Pinson’s Got Talent 2023 was held Friday, May 12, with 14 acts ranging from Kindergarten through 12th grade. All participating students come from Pinson feeder schools.
Pinson Valley High and Rudd Middle School Choral Director and Tri-M Advisor Sarah O. Timothy called the event “a success.”
This year’s Elementary Division first place winner was Bella Martinez, whose talent was gymnastics. The second place Elementary Division winner was vocal performer Stella Wynn.
For the Middle School Division, Autumn Smith took home first place with a dance performance in clogging. Vocalist Emma Tarpley won second place.
In the High School Division, vocalist Ataya Griffin won first place and marimba instrumentalist Maggie Beasley took home second place.
Each contestant was judged based on their talent, preparedness and stage presence.
Meet The Judges:
- Eva Maria McKinneycurrently works as a Senior Experience Specialist for a software company. Her hobbies include spending time with family and cooking delicious foods. She also really enjoys working out at the gym and filming advertising content for companies through her own company called UGC Chick! Here at Pinson Valley, she was involved with the very talented Chamber Choir as a soprano for three years, and she was part of the Auxiliary for the Pinson Valley Marching Chiefs for two years! She is honored to be welcomed back to her alma-mater to witness the ongoing talent that resides in our city of Pinson!
- Nate Falk has lived in Pinson since 2017 with his wife Elise and three kids, Simon, Harry, and Eliza. He owns a local insurance agency, the Falk Agency, as well as Cedar Mountain Photography, a local photography studio specializing in portraiture. He and his family are members at Palmerdale Methodist Church where he serves as the Creative Director teaching music, leading the choir, and the band. Mr. Falk has played violin since he was 9 years old and studied music for a year at Bob Jones University. He left school to lead a vocal group with Life Action Ministries. He then traveled around the United States performing in churches for three years as the music director for a small vocal ensemble. He has performed with various local choirs, most recently with the Alabama Symphony Chorus performing Handel’s Messiah with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
- Roderick Parker Jr.is a 23-year-old alumnus of Pinson Valley High School and former winner of Pinson’s Got Talent in 2017 and 2018! Currently, he attends UAB as a graduate student and works full-time at his church Faith Chapel as Communications Coordinator where he is able to engage in public speaking and the arts. Roderick found his purpose through the arts by performing in many theatrical shows, singing in the PVHS Choir, hosting at his church and at The 2022 World Games, and even being Pinson Valley’s “Chief Tapawingo” mascot in 2018! A few hobbies Roderick enjoys include encouraging others through social media, writing music, dancing, and giving back to those who have helped him in his success.
Pinson’s Got Talent 2023 is presented by Tri-M Music Honor Society, a program of NAfME (National Association for Music Education), which focuses on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy. Members may be participants in either or both Band and/or Choir at the secondary level of education.
Proceeds from Pinson’s Got Talent 2023 will go to KIPP Nashville College Prep Elementary School (KNCPE), a free, open-enrollment public charter school located in North Nashville where PV 2018 Alum Alexandria Hawkins currently teaches.