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ACTE II was an opera duo from Season 9 of America's Got Talent. It was eliminated in the Quarterfinals in the Judges' Choice.

Background[]

ACTE II came about after Olanna and Ashley Renée joined forces to raise funds, through concert work to travel to Europe for singing opportunities. The ladies, both in the second phases of their careers realized they could do so much more. As a result, the mission changed from funding an audition tour to creating programming that would allow them to connect with people near and far.

ACTE II is comprised of two accomplished and diverse artists who have combined their unique, individual experiences to deliver programs that will revitalize for some and ignite for others the love of classical music.

Olanna Goudeau, a Port Arthur, TX native, has most recently been seen with Empire Opera in Les Nuits d'Été - a concert of French mélodies. She has premiered several new works including Michael Ching’s acapella opera, A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Hermia), at Princeton University’s illustrious Berlind Theater and Waundell Saavedra’s Sweet Dreams (Sparkle) at New York City’s new National Opera Center. Olanna was invited to attend the esteemed Minuetto Festival as a Resident Artist and awarded the Milton Cross Rising Star Award this past July. She has earned a spot as a Regional Finalist at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, awarded 1st place by the National Association of Teachers of Singing and 2nd place at the Benton-Schmidt Opera Competition.

Olanna is currently an Artist-in-Residence at First AME: Bethel in New York City where she will sing the soprano solo in Handel’s Messiah this December. She is a proud graduate of Dillard University and the University of Oklahoma where she studied Vocal Performance. Olanna currently studies with Virginia Grasso and resides in New York City.

Ashley Renée Watkins recently took 2nd place in the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. National Vocal Arts Competition. She enjoys a versatile musical career and recently made her musical theater debut as Lady Thiang in Roger’s and Hammerstein’s The King and I. Ashley Renée attended the prestigious AIMS festival in Graz, Austria where she stood out as a demanded performer and finalist in the Meistersinger Vocal Competition. She earned Encouragement Awards in both the Marilyn Horne Foundation Voice Competition and the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation National Vocal Competition. She studied with Marilyn Horne. She made her first appearance at the famed Carnegie Hall as a Master Class participant in “the Song Continues” festival with opera legend, Marilyn Horne.

Ashley Renée is a native of New Orleans, and can regularly be seen in concert in her home state. She has partnered with the Louisiana State Museums to offer concerts featuring the classical flavors of New Orleans culture including French mélodie and jazz concerts. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Vocal Performance and currently studies with David Brock. [1]

Audition[]

ACTE II's audition in Episode 901 consisted of singing Léo Delibes' "The Flower Duet" together. Howard SternHeidi KlumMel B, and Howie Mandel all voted "Yes," sending Acte II to Judgment Week.

Judgment Week[]

ACTE II was selected in Episode 907 as one of eight acts to advance straight to the Quarterfinals without performing in Judgment Week.

Quarterfinals[]

ACTE II's Week 2 Quarterfinals performance in Episode 911 consisted of singing an opera rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You." Heidi Klum gave it a standing ovation. The duo finished in either fifth or sixth place in America's Vote. In the Judges' Choice, Howard SternHeidi Klum, and Mel B all did not vote for it, eliminating ACTE II from the competition in Episode 912 instead of Mara Justine.

External Links[]


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