StarJam performance shines at the Halbergs

Media Release

4 February 2009

StarJam performance shines at the star-studded Halberg Awards

The 58th Westpac Halberg Awards honoured its 2009 Supreme Award winner, Valerie Vili, with a special tribute by StarJam’s young performers at Auckland’s Vector Arena on 3rd February. The Halberg Trust invited StarJam to participate in the awards dinner for the first time. StarJam, a non-profit organisation which creates outstanding performance opportunities for young people with disabilities, is known for its inspiring performances.

Valerie Vili said, “StarJam were just awesome! They have such great courage and they were such an inspiration. This is what the Halberg Trust is all about.”

The group received a standing ovation for their performance of the song “I Believe” originally sung by Fantasia Barrino. The twelve children who have disabilities including blindness, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy performed together for the first time. Renee Maurice, the lead vocalist traveled from Wellington to perform, the two dancers Kimberley McLean and Loren Corbett came from Whangarei, and the nine singers were from Auckland.

“We are so proud of the Jammers. They work hard and overcome so much in order to put on a performance like this. I am sure it inspired people to think about how they might achieve more in their own lives. It was great working with the Halberg Trust, an organisation with very similar goals” said Julie Bartlett, StarJam’s CEO. StarJam is approached to provide inspiring performances for events ranging from corporate conferences to charity events.

Standing ovations. Disabled kids. Changing lives.

ENDS

About StarJam
StarJam is a New Zealand-based non profit organisation set up by Roy and Julie Bartlett to empower young people with disabilities and inspire others to achieve in their own lives. Being part of the StarJam programme gives Jammers a sense of worth and achievement, and seeing their performances at this annual show encourages others to realise what can be achieved through vision, support and dedication.

© Scoop Media