by Tali Toland

With the immense popularity of television shows “American Idol,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Making the Band,” and websites like YouTube.com and MySpace.com, it’s no wonder many teens are seeking the limelight. Talented young people are popping up on radio, TV, film and stage almost every day. And Atlanta’s youth aren’t to be overlooked.

“American Idol” tryouts returned to Atlanta this year, but many tweens are too young for the competition, so they turn to other opportunities to compete such as McDonald’s The Gift Competition, which looks for talented young singers in the Atlanta area. This year’s winner, Dennis “Lil ‘D” Wheeler, is only 13 but has already starred in two music videos and performed at countless venues. The Stone Mountain teenager’s positive hip-hop, dancing, acting and producing are his favorite things to do, but his studies must come first says his mom, Alberta Moton. “We have a good understanding about this,” she says.

Dennis got involved in the music business at 7 years old; his first performance was a school play, and there’s been no looking back. Besides winning The Gift, Dennis has taken top spots at Hot 107.9 and 95.5 The Beat’s talent shows. He has performed at the Sweet Auburn Festival, Hands On Atlanta events and V-103’s Larry Tinsley Gospel Show.

“Shooting my first two videos last year have been the most exciting events for my career,” says Dennis. “But my favorite part of the biz is performing on stage and seeing the crowd react to my show and talent.” Dennis also enjoys the traveling and meeting new people.

His mom says it’s hard to watch Dennis go through the ups and downs of auditioning. “It’s a great learning experience for him though, you never know what to expect,” notes Alberta. “But knowing my son’s talent and ambition, I know the outcomes will be great.”

What does Dennis want for his future? He’d love to be on Disney or Nickelodeon and to sign with a major record label someday. “But,” he says, “I’ll finish school and go to college.”

Dennis isn’t the only Atlanta-area teen making it in show business. Seventh-grader Rachel Filsoof just returned to her Buckhead digs after a 10-week run as the lead in an off-Broadway production of “Say Something, A Rock Opera.” This youngster also beat out hundreds of kids to be the youngest star in the world premiere of Disney’s “High School Musical” at the Fox Theatre – a small perk of the job was meeting heartthrob Zac Efron from the movie.

Rachel’s most recent claims to fame are impressive: a role in an upcoming movie starring Billy Ray Cyrus and Heather Locklear, and she’ll be showcased at the Sundance Film Festival as a singer. Rachel says her greatest accomplishment work-wise has been singing the national anthem at the U.S. Open. “It was my first opportunity to sing in front of tens of thousands of people and prove to myself that I could shine through all of the nerves and pressure and national TV cameras in my face,” she says. “It was the most unbelievable experience of my life.”

Rachel attends Atlanta International School, and the hardest part of her busy schedule is getting all of her schoolwork done. “I take my work with me when I’ll be gone for an extended period of time,” Rachel explains. “I make up tests when I return. That’s one thing I don’t think people realize when they say they want to be famous – it’s a lot of work. You have to really want it and love what you do.”

Good thing Rachel loves it. She’s been singing since she could talk and dancing since she was 5. But that’s not all she loves; in typical girl fashion, Rachel loves to shop and have slumber parties with her friends. Rachel’s ultimate dream is to be a recording artist and movie star. “What can I say? I want to do it all,” she quips. “My parents call me the quadruple threat.”

Another young lady who started on the stage at a young age is 14-year-old Charli Cohen. Her singing, acting and dancing skills have kept this East Cobb native busy most of her life. “Her first performance was when she was 5,” says mom Karen. “She took part in a talent show with a neighbor. Charli came home saying she loved the stage and wanted to do more.”

Charli started with voice lessons at 7 (her voice teacher didn’t really want to start that young, but Charli was insistent), and she has always had a love for music. Her first solo, and winning, performance was the Cobb County Talent Show, where she sang “Broadway Baby.” Nowadays, singing is a regular occurrence in Charli’s life. She’s sung the national anthem for the Thrashers, Hawks, Braves and Mets.

But Charli’s real love is the stage – she’s done plays at The Fox Theatre and Cobb Children’s Theater – and she was the lead in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” last year at Dickerson Middle School. “Being on stage and feeling the excitement as the audience reacts to me and the other actors is my favorite thing,” says Charli.

Being in plays is competitive. “It is hard to see Charli be disappointed after not getting a part – and there have been plenty!” says her mom. “We have the philosophy that as long as she did her best, that is all we can ask for. If she didn’t do her best, then she knows what to work on for the next time.”

Charli’s resume doesn’t stop with the stage; she has been in a few TV commercials and now attends Pebblebrook High School, The Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts. “[It gives me the] ability to go to school and still spend hours doing what I love,” says Charli. “The instruction is amazing and the people are great. I have to travel an hour each way to school, and it is well worth it!”

When she isn’t on stage, Charli loves to shop and hang out with her friends. But being a mall rat isn’t her dream – being in a Broadway show is.

The stage is also a second home to Pace Academy sophomore Jordan Gonzalez. His skills on the blues guitar have gotten this Northlaker noticed in a big way. “I started playing the guitar at age 10,” says Jordan. And his diligence has paid off; he was just invited to perform with The All Star Band, which features Derek St. Holmes, former lead singer for Ted Nugent’s band; Jeff Carlisi of 38 Special; Liberty Divitto of the Billy Joel Band; and Ricky Bird of Joan Jett’s band.

But this won’t be his first concert. “My first public performances were at Maddy’s, A Ribs & Blues Joint in Decatur with one of my guitar teachers – Chicago Joe Jones,” says Jordan. “I still play there most Thursdays with the Chicago Joe Jones Band.” The band won the Atlanta Blues Challenge (ABC) in 2006 and represented the region in the International Blues Challenge in 2007. This past fall, Jordan entered the ABC with his own band, Swagger, which won the People’s Choice Award. “We were the youngest players ever to be honored in that way,” explains Jordan.

Over the last 18 months, Jordan has played with many of Atlanta’s leading musicians and at most of the clubs in the city that feature blues. “Playing regularly with older musicians from whom I learn so much about the blues and music in general is very satisfying,” says Jordan. “Getting to play in front of ever-larger audiences and in different venues is the most exciting thing though.”

At first, Jordan’s parents had a hard time just sitting back and enjoying the music at his shows. “Now he gets a very good reaction from the people he plays in front of and that brings us great pleasure,” his mom says. “It’s all about enjoyment now.”

When he’s not entertaining the masses, Jordan likes to hang out with friends, go to the movies, and go downtown. “I also like to be part of Atlanta’s vibrant music scene,” he says. “I get a real kick out of taking one of my friends to hear a guitar player they might never have heard had I not taken them.”

In the long run, Jordan hopes to continue using his music to express the qualities that make him unique. “Music is about self-expression, and the best musicians, whether they are full-time or part-time players, are those who can communicate to the audience the personal satisfaction and joy that music brings the musician,” his dad says. “Jordan seems able to do that very easily.”

Musical instruments take a slightly different turn in the hands of 17-year-old Howard Chern. The Alpharetta teenager and avid Braves fan plays piano, violin and viola. He also frequents symphony halls more than local clubs, but his love for music and entertaining is no different from Jordan’s.

“The whole ‘show business’ deal really started to appeal to me as I was entering high school,” recounts Howard. But his musical experience began much before that – his first big project was the 1998 Kawai Piano Scholarship Audition, where he won first place. “I remember holding the $25 scholarship check they gave me, but didn’t know what to do with it,” says Howard. “So I gave it to my parents.”

That award seems small compared to his prodigy award from the Atlanta Steinway Society. He was the first elementary school student to ever receive the honor.

Howard has also traveled to China, performing in three different cities during the 2006 Spring Break with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. “I split my time playing viola and piano,” he explains. He’s twice been a member of Georgia’s All State Orchestra, and he has received first place at the Cincinnati World Piano Competition for his level.

“Just being able to make music and spread the joy to other people is what makes being on stage remarkable,” says Howard. Balancing school with music is the trickiest thing for Howard. “A lot of times I end up not being able to practice much,” he says. “Over the years, I’ve realized what works best for me. I usually get the best results and the most practice time if I practice piano and violin once I get home, and then do my homework afterward.”

His parents have learned to live with the ups and downs of performances and auditioning. “As parents, we do the best [we can] to motivate and encourage Howard,” says his dad. Where will you see Howard in the future? Who knows? He’ll be happy as long as he follows his dreams.

The word “performer” is the perfect description for 15-year-old Quintin Jerrell Porter. His current docket includes roles with Tri-Stars, Hotlantans (with whom he performs Disney’s “High School Musical”) and the Youth Ensemble and Choir at his church in College Park. As a Tri-Cities High School musical theater and drama student, Quintin can fully embrace his love for the stage.

“Quintin has always had a love for being in front of a crowd,” says mom Kanetha Plumber. Quintin’s first performances were during his elementary school days for black history programs and school performances. He has come a long way since then, recently performing a duet with Broadway great George Merritt at the Georgia Education Ball.

“My favorite aspect of show business is seeing a musical production come together as we rehearse, and then seeing the impact the finished product has on the audience,” says Quintin. His love for the stage doesn’t stop when the curtain closes. In his free time one of Quintin’s favorite things is to see community plays. “I also love to shop for clothes and books,” he says.

School isn’t always easy for Quintin because of all his rehearsals and practices, but his mom and grandmother make sure he stays on track with his grades. “They always remind me that my grades have to be maintained in order for me to continue and succeed in life,” says Quintin. “It requires a lot of late-night studying and huge amounts of sacrifice, but it will all be worth it in the end when I achieve my ultimate dream of Broadway stardom.”