Dance troupe with Cedar Rapids ties voted into finals for 'America's Got Talent'

Television viewers have voted The Silhouettes into the finals for "America's Got Talent."

The troupe was the first to advance during Wednesday night's results episode for the popular NBC-TV talent show, where contestants vie for a million-dollar Las Vegas performing contract.

The 42 Denver-area dancers, ages 9 to 18, are led by former Cedar Rapids resident Lynne Waggoner-Patton, a 1983 graduate of Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School. She moved to the Denver area in 1987 and runs A Rocky Mountain School of Dance and Performing Arts in Arvada, Colo.

Celebrity judge Piers Morgan told the group that he didn't think Tuesday night's semifinal routine was as strong as the previous two performances, but Howie Mandel gave it his stamp of approval and Sharon Osbourne called what the young dancers do "a thing of beauty."

Twelve acts appeared in Tuesday's round and viewers voted five into the final 10. Those competitions begin next week.