24 year-old identical twin-sisters Mihaela and Gabriela Modorcea are Indiggo, professional singer/actresses/writers from Romania. They started performing, and were featured in the European media and press at the age of 12, but eventually decided to leave Romania in search of the American Dream. The twins live in New York City, where they are working on their next album and hope that making it to the Top 40 of "America's Got Talent" will help them achieve their dream.NBC/Trae Patton - Tuesday, August, 26, 2008, 5:26 PM

Joseph Hall, 23, is an uncanny Elvis Presley impersonator hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska. Hall discovered his ability and passion for impersonating the "King of Rock 'n Roll" when he and his father traveled to Las Vegas for his 21st birthday. When he returned home, while still working at his father's restaurant, he began to practice in his parent's basement, reading and watching everything he could about his new idol. He soon got his first booking and then came a few others and soon he found himself busy traveling. Being on "America's Got Talent" is the biggest gamble of his life and by making it to the finale Joseph realizes this could set the foundation for his future and that of his family.NBC/Trae Patton - Tuesday, August, 26, 2008, 5:26 PM

Derrick Barry, 24, is an entertainer/makeup artist, born and raised in Modesto, Calif. As a kid, he always had a passion for acting and gymnastics, but only discovered his unique talent one Halloween back in 2003. Derrick's Britney Spears costume was so convincing, that he used his other skills to develop entire song and dance routines based on the pop princess. The entertainment world started taking notice, allowing Derrick to perform at a few venues in Vegas on several occasions. He looks forward to a long career in the entertainment business both as an actor/comedian and female impersonator.NBC/Trae Patton - Tuesday, August, 26, 2008, 5:26 PM

Beyond Belief Dance Company (B.B.D.C.) is the home to many aspiring competitive and recreational dancers ranging in age from 12-18. Founded by artistic director and choreographer Justin Johnson in 2002, this once small community dance team has blossomed into a fine educational company serving the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area of Texas. B.B.D.C. is a family oriented studio where teamwork and knowledge are the key essentials to success. Justin and his staff teach all their dancers with the mantra "Don't dream it... Be it."NBC/Trae Patton - Tuesday, August, 26, 2008, 5:26 PM

Valerie Ramirez began Extreme Dance FX in 2001 in West Covina, California. With her passion for all sorts of dancing, Valerie fused several different styles of dance and created her own style for the group, called "power tap." Power tap is a hybrid of tap, hip-hop, swing, clogging and stunts. The group (ages 13-26) believes their unique moves and dedication to perfection will be a major asset in the competition. Winning "America's Got Talent" would give Extreme Dance FX the opportunity to provide dance scholarships for people of all ages who truly love to dance.NBC/Trae Patton - Tuesday, August, 26, 2008, 5:26 PM

The ZOOperstars are a group of men who perform choreographed routines in inflatable mascot costumes for audiences of all shapes and sizes. They started with one costume and a dream to entertain, and now their company has more than 35 costumes and 12 talented performers. The idea for the quirky troupe came about when a 19-year-old Dominic Latkovski began performing as a baseball team's mascot. Latkovski developed the signature act with assistance from his dancing brother Brennan and creative father who suggested a bird character named "Harry Canary." Soon they created other funny characters based on athletes and celebrities.NBC/Trae Patton - Tuesday, August, 26, 2008, 5:26 PM

Slippery Kittens Burlesque (ages 24-35) is a dance group of diverse women from Salt Lake City, Utah, who do a traditional burlesque dancing act every Sunday at the Bar Deluxe. The troupe was formed in 2006 by burlesque dancer Miss Lorrie Ann. The troupe's background experience ranges from world-renowned pin-up models to ballet and jazz dancers. It is the Slippery Kittens dream that they'll be able to illustrate to huge numbers of people that there is nothing wrong or negative about being comfortable with your sensuality.NBC/Trae Patton - Tuesday, August, 26, 2008, 5:26 PM

The D.C. Cowboys dance company is an all-male, all-volunteer, performing arts organization in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that began in 1994. Their style has been described as a trademark combo of Broadway meets Brokeback Mountain, macho home on the range verve, sizzling sex appeal and rugged good looks. Internationally acclaimed, the Cowboys specialize in high-energy, professional 'mischievous' dance numbers, which span all musical genres from sexy club mixes to musical theater to contemporary country. The D.C. Cowboys mission is to provide free entertainment to charitable service organizations and foundations raising money for HIV/AIDS prevention, services and research.NBC/Trae Patton - Tuesday, August, 26, 2008, 5:26 PM

Sage, 12, along with younger brothers Baruch, 9, and Levi, 6, are the Wright Kids, a fun-loving bluegrass trio from Rocky Mount, Virginia. Starting from as young as 3 years old, the kids have learned to play a variety of acoustic instruments including the fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and upright bass, all while singing and harmonizing to classic American bluegrass songs. In 2006, Baruch won first place for his singing and playing at the Galax Old Fiddler's Convention, the world's oldest and largest fiddler's convention. They would love to win "America's Got Talent" and share their music with the nation.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

With a fusion of current sounds and classic 1920's style, The James Gang brings a fresh and unique entertainment experience to the masses. Prince Julius (David Boyd), 18, The Great Gatsby (Lamont Williams), 27, Jellyroll James (Giovanni James), 28, and Deacon Boondini (Russell Perry) display a style unseen in music today with a blend of dance, circus skills, original vocals with a message and magic. Their high-energy performances are laced with themes of triumph and overcoming obstacles. The James Gang's mission is to restore real performance to stage shows, presenting traditional skills in a contemporary way. Already known for their innovation in the African American community they hope "America's Got Talent" will expose them to the entire world. NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

The Taubl Family from New Haven, Connecticut, is made up of John, 48, and Carol Taubl, 46, and their seven musically-gifted children, Gretchen, 24, Emily, 23, Annabelle, 21, Jack, 17, Sam, 15, and twins James and Jeremiah, 13. With child after child, the Taubls realized, to their surprise and delight, that all of them had musical talents. It didn't take the Taubls long to realize that their natural family bond and chemistry would lend itself extraordinarily well to playing together as a group. Combining the beauty of strings, the elegance of the harp and the magic of family vocal harmony, the Taubls have created a genre all their own, performing styles of music that range from classical to pop to spiritual.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

The Cadence (ages 21-31) is a percussion rock ensemble made up of six college students from Springfield, Missouri. What started as a new and exciting addition to an already popular local Vegas-style nightclub has now turned into a popular local act. Twice a week they perform their high-energy drum show to crowds, however the ideas they have for their show have outgrown their current stage. In order to participate in "America's Got Talent" and make their dream a reality, individually they have had to make many personal sacrifices. Even with the sacrifices, the opportunity to compete for their own show in Las Vegas is the culmination of five years of hard work and dedication and they are more than ready for their dream to come true.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Gary Hall, 38, also known as Shequida, is a classically trained opera singer, songwriter, playwright and drag artist. Born into poverty on the island of Jamaica, his mother moved to New York and worked four jobs to afford bringing Gary and his siblings to America. Years of hard work and dedication to the performing arts, as well as his love for creating alter egos for stage, have afforded him many incredible opportunities. He honed and developed his impressive five-octave vocal range while attending Juilliard as an opera singer.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Shimshi, 28, is a rising star in the world of magic, whose fresh approach and innovative illusions have been showcased in various venues including the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. He develops all aspects of his act, from the magic to the dance choreography, and has won numerous awards and competitions. He has recently moved to Las Vegas, where he occasionally performs at the Sahara Hotel and Casino's "The World's Greatest Magic Show," and the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino's "The V Show."NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Born near Manila, Philippines with a Filipino and Mexican-American family heritage, Ron Belala, 31, is a unique musical act whose enthusiasm for music and entertainment began at a very young age. With the encouragement and support of his entire family, Ronny B has continued to develop his passion for entertaining by using his ability to emulate the sounds of artists such as Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and the stage moves of Justin Timberlake and *NSYNC. Having once performed at a bus stop in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he now resides, winning "America's Got Talent" would be a dream come true.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Sarah Lenore, a 20-year-old Detroit area native, finally made the move to Nashville last summer, leaving behind friends and family to pursue her musical dream. Sarah has had the opportunity to support her hometown team by singing the National Anthem for the Detroit Pistons and to open for some of country music's superstars. Her family has always been proud of her and is overjoyed that others are getting the chance to know Sarah both as a singer, and as a person.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Paul Salos is a 70-year-old Frank Sinatra impersonator currently living in Dallas, Texas. He discovered his singing abilities as a young boy singing on a street corner in Hell's Kitchen to attract customers for his shoe-shining job. In 1956 he joined the United States Air Force and the recruiting officer auditioned him to be a singer impressionist, which automatically placed him in the Special Services as an Entertainment Specialist. By the time his service with the Air Force came to an end, Paul knew exactly what he wanted to do in life. Over the past 40 years, he has been honing his "Tribute to Sinatra" performance and is ready to show the country what he's got on "America's Got Talent."NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Like many great soul singers, Queen Emily got her start singing as a little girl in church. And even though her talent was apparent to everyone who heard her sing, as she grew up, life got in the way of her dreams. Raising her daughters as a single mother meant Emily's musical aspirations had to be put on hold. When she turned 40, Emily experienced an epiphany and realized that it was time to stop dreaming and start acting, which led her to the "America's Got Talent" auditions. With the support of her daughters, Queen Emily is ready to show America her love of music and her powerful voice.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Damien, 21, and Tourie, 23, Escobar are Nuttin But Stringz from Jamaica Queens, New York, whose classical violin training infused with the rhythms of New York City produce a sound unlike anything you've ever heard before. They have been playing the violin for over 15 years, starting at the tender ages of seven and eight in a mandatory school program. Showing raw talent, they went on to study at the Juilliard and Bloomingdale schools of music in New York City where they learned classical methods. They credit their passion for music along with the support of their mom and aunt as their ticket out of the rough streets of Jamaica, Queens. Their goal is to inspire as many people as possible with their sound and to let the world know that it's cool to play the violin! NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Neal E. Boyd, 32, is an insurance salesman hailing from Sikeston Missouri. He discovered opera music in his senior year of high school, when his brother was forced to do a school project involving the Three Tenors. Neal went to the New England Conservatory in Boston to study opera, which led to a lead role in the World Premier Opera. With "America's Got Talent," Neal hopes to finally realize his dreams of becoming an international opera star, and inspiring the younger generations the way he was inspired.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Matthew Piazzi, 31, has been imitating famous musicians and celebrities since childhood. Raised mainly by his mother, an accomplished vocal coach, he was sent away to boarding school. As the new kid, he would often imitate the teachers as a way of breaking the ice and making new friends. This gift of impersonation has become the focal point of his life. The joy Piazzi gets from having an audience has pushed him to accomplish his dream of one day becoming a very successful entertainer.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Kazual is a unique and dynamic family group from Columbus, Georgia, made up of three brothers and a cousin. The four members, E.Jae, Playboi, D-Mac and LiL-Gabe, come from a musical family and first started playing instruments and singing in their church when they were very young. Their eclectic mix of R&B, hip-hop, pop and rock, has allowed them to open for artists such as Destiny's Child, Nelly and Jaheim. Being part of "America's Got Talent" has taught them that hard work does pay off.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Opera singer Michael Strelo-Smith, 34, grew up with a love of music from an early age. He perfected his voice by being a part of numerous choral and theatre groups from grade school through high school. After the loss of his beloved grandmother, Strelo-Smith pursued teaching and worked for a number of years as a private voice coach. Michael auditioned for the second season of "America's Got Talent," making it as far as the Las Vegas round before his elimination. Committed to following his musical dream he left his teaching post and worked on his own voice, a decision which has paid off with Strelo-Smith making it to the Top 40.NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM

Michigan born and Ashburn, Virginia-raised Kaitlyn Maher is an adorable four-year-old girl whose ability to sing at such a young age is both inspiring and unbelievable. She is the older sister to baby Ethan and the daughter of Reuben and Alison Maher. Some of her favorite songs are Christmas carols, church songs, familiar patriotic songs, as well as songs by Celine Dion, Josh Groban and Paul Kordon. Maher has two primary goals in this competition: to have fun and she wants to see the confetti come down at the finale!NBC/Trae Patton - Monday, August, 25, 2008, 7:25 PM