Young Hopefuls Compete For Rock Star Experience

Disney Channel’s "CAMP ROCK the TASMAN"!

New Zealand and Australia’s Young Hopefuls Compete to Win the Ultimate Rock Star Experience!

August 27 2008…

A new generation of young hopefuls from New Zealand will compete with aspiring performers from New Australia in a bid to win the ultimate rock star experience, in "CAMP ROCK the TASMAN," a new reality TV series inspired by the hit Disney Channel Original Movie, "Camp Rock." Beginning production this month in rural Camp Adair, Hunua, New Zealand, the music and dance filled reality series will be presented as five half-hour episodes in 2009 on Disney Channel.

"CAMP ROCK," set in a camp for aspiring recording artists and showcasing the themes "believe in yourself" and "express yourself," stars Platinum-certified Hollywood Records recording artists Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin and Nick) and singer/songwriter/actress Demi Lovato.

The unscripted reality series "CAMP ROCK the TASMAN" will follow 10 Australian and New Zealand kids as they 'rock it out' and ultimately are evaluated for aptitude and creativity by judges Rachel Moor, Executive Producer, Video Hits (Network Ten) and Chris Graham (New Zealand music video director).

The 16-20 year-old students from Australia’s highly respected performing arts school Brent Street Kids, will compete against a team of up and coming young talent from New Zealand’s finest performing arts school, EXCEL . Once in the camp, each team will be joined by an up and coming music video director. "Camp Rock the Tasman" will delve into the relationships, challenges and achievements of each participant, their family and friends.

Melissa Dixon, General Manager Disney Channel Australia and New Zealand said, "Following the success of our Australian-produced series "My High School Musical," we are very proud to be filming this "CAMP ROCK the TASMAN" in New Zealand, further testament to Disney Channel’s commitment to producing quality local content for Australia and New Zealand kids and families".

The groups will be presented with exciting challenges throughout the series including, unbeknownst to them, the task to create a world-class music video set to the hit song "Hasta La Vista" from the Disney Channel Original Movie "Camp Rock". Outdoor team building tasks and indoor performance challenges further test the strength and camaraderie of teams and individuals alike.

After honing their skills and performances, teams go head to head in a battle of the Tasman, performing their music video concept in front of the judges

The winning team will experience the ultimate rock star experience, where they will travel by limousine to Round Head Studios to record their version of the song "Hasta La Vista". Once the track is recorded, the winners will move to a sound stage, where a video clip for the song will be produced. This video will be presented on Disney Channel in both Australia and New Zealand in early 2009.

ABOUT THE TEAMS:

Team Australia

ALEXANDER (THE GREAT) ROGERS is from Glen Alpine in New South Wales. He’s been studying with Brent Street for 5 years. Alex has worked with Delta Goodrem and is in the forthcoming audition tour of "High School Musical Live on Stage".

BRIDEN (BEE) ASPINALL considers herself to be a fierce competitor and is also known as Bendy Bee because she is always stretching. Her many talents include dancing, singing and acting.

CHLOE (GG) CONDYLIS - Chloe (the GG stands for Greek Goddess), is a proficient song writer,singer, actor and dancer known to Disney Channel viewers as a member of the 2007 Australian production, "My High School Musical."

CORY (COZZA) TO’O will be representing the Aussies when he faces his homeland of New Zealand. Cozza is a full time student at Brent Street, where he is known for his intricate tap dancing skills.

FABIANO (DA F.A.B.) PETROSILLO is from Condell Park in New South Wales. He is a veteran of many performances in and around Sydney, and was a member of Disney Channel’s 2007 Australian production "My High School Musical."

HILTON (THE HILT) DENIS was a top 20 finalist on Network 10’s "So You Think You Can Dance Australia." Hilton has performed in many films and television shows and last visited New Zealand when he was filming the blockbuster, KING KONG.

MATUA (DA MAIN MAN) MINHINNICK is another Kiwi who now calls Australia home and is Team Australia’s secret weapon! Not only is he an exciting dancer but he also has a voice that can melt hearts.

MORGAN (MORGS) CHOICE has been a member of Brent Street since she was three years old. She excels in contemporary dance and has performed in the USA and her native Australia.

SAMANTHA (SAM) HAGEN is a versatile all round performer. She has performed many times on TV and is in demand for corporate shows. Sam was also a member of Disney Channel’s 2007 Australian production "My High School Musical."

TAYLOR (TEE) ANTHONY played the role of Annie opposite Anthony Warlow when she was a little girl in Sydney. Recently spending a year in QATAR working on the ceremonies for the Asian games, she brings her choreographic skill and all round ability to the team.

Team New Zealand

GEORGE GATES is from Katikati in the Western Bay of Plenty and is an amazing singer with a great heart, having made the top 18 of the 2006 New Zealand Idol. He was also the overall winner for the 2004 Tauranga STARQUEST competition and the winner of the best male vocalist in the 2007 Tauranga STARTQUEST.

JARED HEMOPO is an exceptional Hip Hop dancer and choreographer with a unique style. His dance group ‘Limit Break’ won the dance competition ‘Expressions’ in 2007, gained 2nd place in the finals of the ‘Bring it On’ competition and most recently competed in the World Hip Hop Championships in Los Angeles.

ROBERT (BOBBY) PAUL is also a member of the dance group ‘Limit Break’ who have just come back from the World Hip Hop Champs and was in the same group as Jared who were placed 2nd in the Auckland ‘Bring It On’ dance competition. When you see Bobby dance it’s not hard to see why he was given the honour of Top dancer at Massey High School in 2007.

DALLAS SEINAFO had main roles in school musicals, was first in the regional finals of Pacifica Beats competition and sang at Polyfest in 2006 & 2007. He came to study at EXCEL all the way from Christchurch in the South Island.

ROXANNE (ROXY) STANTON has studied ballet since she was three years old and won numerous medals in Disco, Latin, and Ballroom dance competitions. In December, Roxy will be competing in the World Salsa Championships in Orlando, Florida.

ALLENZO TAMATOA is currently part of a dance crew called ‘O.B.C.’ that performs regularly in their community at charity events and fundraisers. The ultimate entertainer, Allenzo has a sharp sense of humour that shines in his performances and keeps everyone around him laughing.

MELISSA LLOYD has a long list of achievements in dance from gaining honours in her Intermediate American Jazz exam, Honours with Distinction in Level 5b in the American Tap Syllabus, Outstanding in Level 5 Hip Hop and Distinction in Senior Gold Jazz & Tap medal tests. While attending the Phoenix dance workshops (workshops with choreographers from Australia & the U.S.) she has been invited each time to ‘Dance with the Stars’ in Lyrical, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap and Jazz Funk.

LOSALIA (LOSA) IKENASIO is a Hip Hop dancer and part of an all girl dance crew called ‘Passion’. This dance crew performs at charity events and for companies including Coca-Cola and the Junior Warriors Rugby League team. Losa is also an accomplished bass guitar player.

LAUREN DUNNINGHAM is a performer with exceptional drive to become a professional dancer, singer and actor. Lauren has just returned from travelling with her dance group Blaze who competed at the World Hip Hop Championships in Los Angeles.

GEORGINA SLADE is a multitalented singer and dancer who excels in Polynesian dancing including Samoan, Cook Island, Tongan and Fijian, as well as Hip Hop. Her favourite style of Hip Hop is Wacking (open handed locking). Georgina also performs regularly in her church. Before coming to EXCEL, Georgina performed with a dance company called ‘Fusion’ in her home town of Hamilton.

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