Makayla Colonello to Perform at 83rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

MAKAYLA COLONELLO, a 15-year-old aspiring singer of Jewish and Italian descent hailing from Franklin, TN, a suburb of Nashville, TN, has just been named the winner of a national singing contest held by Associated Television International, producers of The 83rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Her prize will be an all expense paid trip to make her big break here in Hollywood, CA to sing a song on the Red Carpet in front of thousands of people on November 30th at the live 83rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, and to perform on national television when the parade airs on the Hallmark Channel on December 10th and the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel on December 19th.

Emma Sharratt MacEachern, Co-Executive Producer of The Hollywood Christmas Parade said, "Makayla Colonello was selected from many online contestants under the age of 19 who submitted music videos which were judged by a special Parade Talent Committee. For years, Hollywood has been known for discovering new talent. In keeping with this tradition, the Hollywood Christmas Parade will be conducting an annual talent search to give a singer their first big break in Hollywood. The parade benefits the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, so in keeping with our theme of helping kids at Christmas, we also want to give some young teen their chance to fulfill a dream and perform in Hollywood. Makayla Colonello is the first lucky winner of the contest."

Makayla Colonello said, "I am so excited to have this opportunity to sing in the Hollywood Christmas Parade. It's like a dream come true! Hollywood here I come! The reason that I want music to be my career is that I want people to feel what I feel through my music and to touch their lives. I believe music is a great platform for that. I would say my style is contemporary pop with a flare of musical theater. I'm very grateful to the Hollywood Christmas Parade for giving me this very special opportunity!"

Colonello was born in Los Angeles and lived in the Southland until the age of seven. Today she is a sophomore at Gate Way Academy, a private school in Franklin, TN. Colonello began singing and piano lessons at the age of three. She started writing and composing music at the age of 12.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, presented by The City of Los Angeles and Associated Television International, will begin on the streets of Hollywood, CA Sunday, November 30, 2014 beginning at 5:00 p.m. The spectacular live event will begin with a superstar-studded concert prior to the start of the parade proper at
6:00 p.m. The Parade will benefit Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

The parade will be hosted by Laura McKenzie ("World's Funniest Moments," "Laura McKenzie's Traveler"); Dean Cain (VH1's "Hit The Floor," "Masters of Illusion," "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman"); Erik Estrada ("World's Funniest Moments," "CHiPS"); and Montel Williams ("The Montel Williams Show").

Taped for both national and local telecasts, each year the parade features thousands of participants, including celebrities from film, television and stage, award-winning bands from around the country, colorful equestrians, ornate floats, spectacular live celebrity performers, festive towering balloons, popular characters/novelties, the world's largest grandstand red carpet and, of course, Santa Claus.

Grandstand tickets are available for sale online at www.tickmaster.com , at all Ticketmaster outlets and via telephone at 800-745-3000. For the latest updates, please call the 24/7 Parade Hotline toll free at 1-866-PARADE1 (866-727-2331) or visit the parade's official website at www.thehollywoodchristmasparade.org

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