Mike Lounello – Siena's technical director of events – conceptualizes lighting, set design, and other audio/visual elements to enhance the audience experience at almost any event. His finger prints are on most College productions, from homecoming to the stage. This summer, he applied his talents on America's stage.
Fernado Bustamante, who performs under the moniker H.B. MONTE, had a vision. The DJ/singer/performer, who moved to the Capital Region about 10 years ago, decided to tryout for America's Got Talent, partly inspired by his friend, Dustin Tavella, who won the talent competition's 16th season. Winning AGT comes with a year-long residency in Las Vegas, but more than fame and riches, Fernando was interested in sharing his story with a national audience.
Two years ago, and without warning, Fernando suffered major cardiac failure and nearly died. He spent weeks in the ICU wondering if his newborn would ever know her father. Fortunately, Fernando recovered fully, and as a bonus, the near-death experience reignited his passion for music. That's the story he wanted to tell – leaning into passion and reaching for your dreams, while you have the chance. Fernando needed someone who could take that idea and, visually, pull it together for his AGT audition tape. His next move was reaching out to his buddy, Mike.
Their paths had crossed professionally many years before when they both worked, in different ways, in the wedding business. Mike helped Fernando and his team produce a demo that earned Fernando a ticket to Pasedena to compete in the first round of auditions in March (above).
"My job was to help Fernando tell his story on and off stage. During dress rehearsal, I was able to help dial things in, and then off stage, I collaborated with the production team on ways to integrate his backstory into the show."
From thousands of audition tapes, hundreds of acts are invited to audition for the judges, including Simon Cowell. It takes three of four yeses from the panel to have a chance to advance to the semifinals. Fernando earned a clean sweep – a perfect four yeses (to watch his performance, which aired on NBC on August 1, click on the picture, below right).
Will that be enough to move onto the semifinals, and perhaps a chance at the Las Vegas show? It's still too early tell. But, Fernando has already gotten to share his story, and Mike (behind the scenes) got to show off his abilities too.
"Working alongside H.B. Monte, Nigel, our supervising producer, and the cinematography team during my time at America's Got Talent, I realized that the story we tell extends far beyond the stage. Each element, from the backstage to the spotlight, contributes to a compelling narrative. It's not just about showcasing talent, it's about crafting an authentic story that resonates, and that's what truly captivates audiences."