The America’s Got Talent Top 12 performed on Tuesday, September 9 after surviving the semifinals.
The results on Wednesday will show which of the finalists make it through the the final two episodes.
Check out information about all of the contestants below.
AcroArmy
The acrobatic group hails from California, and includes 18 gymnasts who blend dance, acrobatics, and balance. The members range in age from 12 to 27.
Choreographer Arthur Davis told the Press Enterprise that the performance on Tuesday will be high-level.
“The maneuvers will be higher and bigger,” he said. “There are two skills that we just learned and will be doing for the first time.”
Davis, who emphasized that he’s not nervous, was actually part of the duo Realis, which was a finalist on AGT’s first season.
And Davis has come in to be a performer when one of the members missed a performance due to a work obligation.
Blue Journey
This shadow dancing act has brought a unique partnership to the program to earn the spot among the final 12. Nick Mishoe of Virginia makes up the group with dance partner Rachel Kivlighan.
“It’s been pretty hectic,” Mishoe told APP. “When we find out that we’ve advanced, we have put together a whole new piece -- it’s insane!”
Mishoe and Kivlighan, who are both ballet trained, perform modern dance to an elaborate animated backdrop.
“It’s digital animation,” said Mishoe, a West Virginia native. “As a matter of fact, the people you see (in the background) are actually Rachel and I. David Middendorp is the creative genius behind the thing. He films us against a green screen and he pulls it into the shadows.”
Christian Stoinev
The extreme hand balancer has wowed the crowd and judges with his athletic feats and toned body. He was surprised by his inclusion among these finalists, telling the Herald Tribune: “I prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
The 22-year-old says that some of the judges--Mel B and Howard Stern--criticize him without realizing the difficulty of the tricks he performs.
“These kind of things take a long time to learn,” he said. But he’s determined to do better, and was exuberant after learning of not being eliminated. “I was so overwhelmed and happy and thinking of all the people celebrating for me. It was one of the greatest thrills of my life.”
David and Leeman
The magicians actually have other jobs. David Blatter is a high school philosophy teacher who lives in Los Angeles. Leeman Parker is a barista who hopes to become a full-time magician.
“David and Leeman teamed up five years ago and have performed all over the U.S. In 2011, they wrote and produced their first magic and comedy show called Filthy Liars: A Funny Magic Show and premiered it at the Hollywood Fringe Festival,” according to NBC.
“Since then, they’ve produced and starred in two more shows: How to Convincingly Fake Honesty and Magic and Other Dangerous Things. David and Leeman live in Los Angeles and are excited to be on AGT.”
Emil and Dariel
The pair of cellists are actually siblings who were taught by their grandfather, who himself brought a broken cello with him when he immigrated to Queens in New York City from the Soviet Union nearly four decades ago.
“It’s been a big dream to see my boys play on stage,” proud grandfather Leonid Rubanchik, 77, told the Daily News. “Sometimes when they’re playing I cry because my heart is being broken.”
Emil, 16, and Dariel, 14, who have shocked the judges--in a good way--learned everything they know from Rubanchik. He began teaching them when they were four years old.
“There’s a lot of pressure and expectations, but it’s a lot of fun for us as well,” Emil said. “This is what we love to do.”
Emily West
One of only four singers left, West is from Waterloo in Iowa but moved to Nashville at age 18.
She’s had some success as a country artist but wanted to start over so moved to New York City a few months ago.
“Emily’s dream is to have a one-woman show that tells stories through her songs. Her music inspirations include Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Rufus Wainwright and Antony and the Johnsons,” NBC says.
“Emily wears her heart on her sleeve and looks forward to sharing her music with America.”
Mara Justine
One of the younger contestants, Justine, 12, hails from southern New Jersey.
“The fourth of five siblings, she’s been singing with her family for as long as she can remember, and her brothers and sisters are her biggest fans,” according to NBC.
“Mara puts her heart and soul into every song and often dedicates her performances to her late grandmother, who was very proud of Mara’s amazing talent. Mara lives with her mother and siblings in Galloway, New Jersey.”
Mat Franco
Franco survived the cuts as one of only three magicians or magician groups left. He picked up magic after seeing it on television at age 4.
“Growing up in Rhode Island, Mat learned techniques by studying magicians he videotaped off television, and he continued to hone his craft with performances throughout his teen and college years. He now specializes in creating customized, interactive presentations for his audiences that allow for spontaneity and improvisation,” NBC says.
“For Mat, magic isn’t about ’tricking‘ or ’fooling' the audience; it’s about connecting with people and bringing smiles to their faces. Mat has been entertaining college audiences full-time ever since the day he finished college himself, and now it’s time for the rest of America to see what he can do!”
Miguel Dakota
The singer and guitarist Dakota, 21, hails from Monument in Colorado.
He was given his first guitar at age 11 and by age 13 was singing and writing music.
“After dropping out of college and coming home to help support his family, Miguel dove headfirst into pursuing his love of music,” NBC says.
“While working various construction and manual labor jobs, he has also found his place in music and a love for performing. His passion continues to grow and is furthered by his love for his family, friends and community.”
Mike Super
The magician from Pennsylvania has been upping the ante and will look to put on a good show in the 90 seconds the finalists are given.
“This show is so much pressure from every angle, it’s almost comedic,” he said.
“The hardest thing is, I can’t turn my mind off. I’m having a little difficulty sleeping, just because I’m always thinking ‘How can we make this better? How can we cut this down and still have it be entertaining?’ ” he told the Post Gazette.
“It’s like taking notes out of song -- how many notes can you take out before it’s no longer a song?”
Quintavious Johnson
The child singer has pleased the audience with his confidence and vocals.
Johnson, who is 12 like Justine, began singing at age three at his church in Franklin, Tennessee and joined the youth choir two years later.
“He has sung the National Anthem for the Franklin Cowboys, Franklin Baseball Club and Nashville Sounds. In 2012, he won Demi Lobo’s Most Talented Under 12 competition in Chicago,” according to NBC.
“In 2013, he was a guest of singer Jimmy Wayne and performed at the Grand Ole Opry. Quintavious enjoys singing at local churches, meetings and sporting events, and he looks forward to singing in front of the audience at Radio City Music Hall.”
Sons of Serendip
The only band left in the competition, Sons of Serendip is comprised of four friends who came together while pursuing graduate degrees at Boston University.
“Micah Christian, a teacher from Randolph, Massachusetts, is the lead vocalist of the group; Cordaro Rodriguez, an attorney from Charlotte, North Carolina, is the pianist and guitarist; Kendall Ramseur, a music teacher, performer and grocery clerk, is the cellist and vocalist; and Mason Morton, a music teacher, is the harpist to complete the quartet,” says NBC.
“They have each been playing their instruments since childhood, and they hope that this is the beginning of a long, beautiful journey of creating music that touches people’s hearts. On America’s Got Talent, they hope that their music will resonate deeply with listeners and make their lives a little better - even for just a moment.”
