Haile Middle School students show off skills

Fifteen middle school students stepped on stage in the Haile Middle School cafeteria Thursday.

They competed in the annual talent show, organized by chorus teacher Sarah O’Kelly. Some students sang hits by Adele; others sang and played instruments and two students danced original numbers choreographed to songs.

But the winner was clear, even before his performance was over: EJ “Glitch Master” Davis, a seventh-grader, had the audience captivated by his smooth moves to the dubstep track, “Permanent.” He was awarded the trophy over cheers and screams from his friends, family and classmates.

Here are a few of the competitors and their stories behind their talents.

EJ “Glitch Master” Davis

Grade: 7

Age: 13

Talent: Dubstep dancing to “Permanent.”

“I’ve been dancing since I was probably 6. I got into dubstep after I watched some videos by Marquis Scott on YouTube,” he said.

Preparation: Davis said while he dances at home all the time, he only really practiced his routine for the talent show during the school’s auditions. He mostly just went with the music.

“It’s a connection I get with the music,” he said.

Why he does it: “Sometimes I do it because I’m mad or sad,” he said. “I do it to show my emotions.”

Emma Reed and Kayla Fisher

Grades: 8

Ages: 14

Talent: Duet to “This is Gospel” by Panic! At the Disco.

“I’ve been singing my whole life, but since 6th grade I started learning everything about it,” Kayla said.

“I was born into a singing family, so I’ve been singing my whole life,” Emma said.

Preparation: The two girls have been practicing since the beginning of the year. Originally they had a third member, but the other girl ended up splitting away from them, they said. They chose the song one day at lunch while they were practicing harmonies.

Why they do it:

“I love performing,” Kayla said.

“I can express myself through the music,” Emma said.

Braden Hameed, Ethan Horn, Aiden Mendel and Eric Miller

Grades: 8

Ages: 13 and 14

Talent: Jazz ensemble to “Bird Land.”

All the boys said they have been playing their respective instruments for several years.

Preparation: The four eighth-graders are in the school’s jazz ensemble together. They said they practiced during rehearsals.

Why they do it:

“I like the rhythms. It’s like speaking another language,” Eric said.

“It takes me to a new world,” Ethan said.