30 May, 2024
The KAUST Got Talent is an annual celebration of the incredible talent that exists within our community. Community Life is honored to be able to provide a platform to showcase their skills.
Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable night of entertainment.
Date: Thursday, May 30
Time: 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Place: Auditorium, Building 20
We have an amazing lineup of finalists who have worked tirelessly to perfect their craft and showcase their talent to the community. Additionally, we have an exciting lineup of guest performers, including previous KAUST Got Talent winners Paolo and Sarah, Natalia Garmashova and David Keyes, and Peter Diglin with the Blue in Red Jazz trio. There will also be a special stage appearance by Shakir Al Sharif, a popular Saudi comedian.
Come early to get the best seats. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
We are happy to announce the winner of KAUST Got Talent 2024 will be awarded business class tickets to Europe or USA from Qatar Airways.
KAUST Got Talent winners are chosen by both audience and a panel of judges, each accounting for 50% of the result. A "real-time" voting app will be used to make it more interactive and inclusive.
Learn more about the judging panel below.
Beatrice Jagerup
Ph.D. Student of Earth Science
Beatrice is an Earth science Ph.D. student and has been in KAUST since 2021 studying volcanoes of Saudi Arabia.
Although focusing on an academic career, music has been an important part of her life since before she could read. First through singing, then piano, and finally learning how to play the violin. During the school years and then later in university, she participated in several youth orchestras, as well as the Royal Academic Orchestra of Uppsala University in Sweden.
In KAUST, she is a member of the Music Club band FLOOiD, exploring the art of band playing as well as the Red Sea String ensemble, hoping to encourage and inspire fellow academics to enjoy the art of creating music together.
Phumelele Ngcobo
Drama Teacher & Musical Production Director
Hailing from South Africa, Phumelele Ngcobo infuses every moment with her passion for the performing arts. With a BA in Theatre and Performance from the University of Cape Town, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as Drama Teacher and Musical Production Director at the KAUST School.
An accomplished actor, dancer, and vocalist, Phumelele has directed a diverse array of productions, from classics like "Oliver Twist" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to modern hits like "West Side Story" and "School of Rock".
Chris Sealey
Vice President Community Life
Chris joined KAUST in 2016 and will be retiring at the end of June after 7.5 years.
Chris has had a lifelong passion for live performances. He has attended hundreds of live music events, festivals, theatre performances, stand-up comedy and a lot of dance performances. All his kids have been regular performers, including his son Tom, who performed on this stage several times in the annual TKS musicals and various concerts. His 3 daughters are all accomplished dancers and have performed around the world, including at the World Cup in Qatar.
At KAUST Chris has championed live music and performance. Supporting our events large and small, from the KAUST 10 Year Celebration, the Music Festival to the Picnics in the Park and TKS concerts, Chris is always supporting, promoting, and attending live performances.
Natalia V. Garmashova, MFA, MS
Art Photographer, Singer, NYVC Certified Voice Teacher
Natalia V. Garmashova is a Russian-American classical singer and art photographer currently residing in KAUST. With nearly two decades of dedication to classical vocal technique, Natalia shares her knowledge with students and captivates audiences through her performances. Through her photography, Natalia captures the emotions and narratives that color our world. Her recent project, "The Space Within," shot exclusively in KAUST, has received high praise from renowned photographers such as Martin Parr, Donovan Wylie, and Ken Grant, and will be exhibited in an upcoming show in Belfast, UK.
Celebrity Guest Judge, Shaker Al Sharif
Professional stand-up comedian
Shakir al Sharif is a seasoned comedian with a knack for storytelling and self-deprecating humor. His ability to weave personal experiences into hilarious tales will captivate the audience and leave them wanting more. A rising star in the comedy scene with international experience, Shakir has been performing for the past eleven years and has quickly gained a following for his sharp wit and observational humor. Shakir is a regular performer at the top comedy clubs in Jeddah, and he has also appeared on several national television shows. He also hosted the Laugh Riot comedy festival in KAUST in February.
We are positive that this year's show will be a great success and hope you join us in supporting and voting for the talents from our community.
Share your favorite moments from the event with us on Instagram using #KAUSTlife. Follow us on Instagram @KAUST.life to learn about more such events and activities.
