HARLINGEN — They stunned everyone with their vocal power in May.
Now the whole nation will see for themselves the stage power of Aaron Blount and Benjamin Trevino when they perform Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
The two veterans of the Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory will perform at Noche de Gala, a national annual event presented by the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.
The Noche de Gala will be live-streamed Tuesday at 6 p.m. at twitter.com/Hispanicarts.
“I’m very excited,” said Aaron, a 2022 graduate of Harlingen High School South.
“This is one of the biggest opportunities I’ve ever had in my life, so I’m extremely grateful to have been noticed and given this opportunity,” said Aaron, 18.
Aaron was named best leading actress in a musical at the 4th Annual 2022 Palm Awards last May; fellow thespian Benjamin won best leading actor in a musical. Everyone was “blown away” according to several attendees, and it’s easy to see why.
“I am so much better!” Aaron belted in a passionate musical declaration, her body shifting with a dashing electrical sharpness to emphasize each note.
Benjamin, 18, warmed everyone’s souls with his enchanting baritone voice.
“To dream the impossible dream, to fight the unbeatable foe,” with a vocal eloquence and intensity that delighted audiences and defeated even the most stalwart critics.
In the audience that night was Felix Sanchez, chairman and co-founder of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts. Sanchez came to the event through a partnership between the Palm Awards and NHFA. That partnership was coordinated through Gilbert Zepeda III whose father helped found the Palm Awards.
“I’ve been a part of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts for over 12 years, working with their mission of trying to get better representation of Latinos in Hollywood,” said Zepeda, sports producer with FOX Sports and Amazon.
“I was able to get the Palm Awards to partner with NHFA,” Zepeda said. “When Felix came down here he was blown away by these students and their capabilities and their performances, and so we want to reward them and showcase them at the Gala.”
Zepeda said the NHFA, which was also founded by actors Jimmy Smits, Sonia Braga, Esai Morales and Merel Julia, is now in its 26th year.
Both Aaron and Benjamin are looking forward to performing on the nationally televised event Tuesday.
“It’s exposure that I’ve never had before,” said Benjamin, 18, who is now studying musical theater at Sam Houston State University.
“I’m excited to take what I have from the Valley and present it to people in D.C.,” he said.
Aaron herself is studying acting at Texas Christian University in Fort Work. She’s pretty jazzed about her first trip to the nation’s capital.
