It’s been a great year for Cameron DeFaria, a straight-A student at Culver City Middle School. His band, Stereo Union, played in competitions such as the “Shredfest” (a benefit for childhood cancer victims) at Hollywood’s House of Blues. And, under the guidance of his musical theatre mentor, Diane Feldman, his CCMS Musical Theatre Program won a National Glee-Give-A-Note Grant to support music in public schools. He portrayed Joseph in the school’s Musical Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” But perhaps his biggest cause for celebration is the success he’s attained on The Hub TV Network’s show “Majors and Minors.”
When the producers of the show opened a talent search for promising young musicians, singers and songwriters, DeFaria took on the challenge. They were looking for a dozen minors to be mentored by some of the biggest artists in business, including Avril Lavigne, Adam Lambert, will.i.am and Jennifer Hudson.
DeFaria picked up his guitar and made an audition tape. Two months later, after applying with 40,000 other hopefuls, he found himself short-listed for a live audition in front of the shows many producers. A few weeks later, he was informed that he was one of the 12 finalists to be featured on the show.
“Every kid should go for any opportunity that presents itself because you just never know what might happen,” Defaria said.
Defaria’s parents, John and Chaille, are experienced musicians and have been able to provide him guidance and balance during this whirlwind time. “It has been a true gift to watch Cameron embrace the challenges he experienced working with all these fantastic mentors and recording artists,” his mother said. “He also became so close to all the other contestants, it will not be easy to say farewell to them. He has grown so much and we are very proud.”
New episodes of “Majors & Minors” airs every Sunday at 7 p.m. PST.