A Centereach High School student didn't let the pandemic get in the way of his dream and is now one of the top three contestants in a national singing contest.

Robert Montano, 17, a music and theatre student, has been in numerous school productions and also performed at Radio City and off-Broadway.

When the pandemic hit, Montano says everything was canceled - the school show, his musical performances and his Broadway audition.

 

He decided to compete against 1,600 other high school and college students in a national contest sponsored by Broadway World. After uploading new performance videos each week for the past few weeks, and hoping people voted for him, Montano made it into the final three.

The winner gets to donate $1,000 to the charity of their choice. Montano says he plans to donate the money to the pediatric oncology unit at Stony Brook Hospital, since he has performed for the children in that unit for years.

The final results will be announced Monday at 8 p.m.

The winner also gets to record a single for the Actors Fund on Broadway Records, along with voice, casting and dancing lessons.

Montano's mother says she and her husband couldn't be more proud.

To vote for Montano, click here.