When Bay Melnick Virgolino walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage, he had something that immediately stood out: an electric guitar and a very clear love for rock music.

Bay was only 10 years old when he auditioned for Season 20 of America’s Got Talent. The young guitarist from New York performed Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” combining guitar playing with vocals and a confident stage presence.

For a performer so young, the choice of song was ambitious. But Bay did not simply walk onto the stage and play a few notes. He brought the energy of classic rock with him.

Meet Bay Melnick Virgolino

Bay Melnick Virgolino developed an interest in guitar at a very young age.

According to reporting about his AGT audition, Bay told the judges that he became fascinated with Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash when he was five years old. He then asked his mother for guitar lessons.

That early interest eventually led him to the AGT stage.

By the time he auditioned, Bay had already developed enough confidence with the instrument to take on a demanding rock song in front of Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Mel B and Sofía Vergara.

A 10-Year-Old Takes on Lenny Kravitz

For his AGT audition, Bay chose “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz.

The song gave him an opportunity to demonstrate both his guitar skills and his personality as a performer.

PRS Guitars reported that Bay performed the song on his SE DGT guitar, delivering guitar work, vocals and stage presence during the audition.

The performance quickly became more than simply a young child playing guitar.

Bay moved around the stage and leaned into the rock style of the song, giving the performance an energetic feel.

Parade described him as bringing rock ’n’ roll swagger to the AGT stage and highlighted his guitar solo.

The Judges Notice His Rock ’n’ Roll Energy

Bay’s performance caught the attention of the judging panel.

Mel B told him she believed Lenny Kravitz would be proud of his performance, specifically praising the way Bay got into the song and handled the riffs.

Other coverage also highlighted Bay’s stage presence and the way he appeared comfortable performing despite his age.

One of the notable parts of the audition was the contrast between Bay’s age and the style of music he chose.

At 10, he was performing a song associated with a much older generation of rock music.

Rather than trying to hide his age, Bay made the most of the youthful enthusiasm and personality he brought to the stage.

Four Yes Votes From the Judges

The audition ended with Bay receiving four yes votes, allowing him to continue in the competition. Contemporary coverage of the episode confirms the unanimous decision.

That result meant Bay would have an opportunity to return to the AGT stage later in Season 20.

His audition also established the musical identity that would follow him through the competition: a very young guitarist who was clearly drawn to rock.

More Than Just a Young Guitarist

What made Bay’s audition interesting was not simply that he could play guitar at age 10.

The performance also showed an understanding of the importance of stage presence.

Rock music is about more than playing the correct notes. A performer also needs to communicate energy and personality.

Bay embraced that side of the performance.

Guitar Player noted that he had already accumulated a number of performances before appearing on AGT and described his guitar playing as a major part of what made his appearance stand out.

That experience helped explain why he looked comfortable with the instrument and with the demands of a large television stage.

From Audition to the Live Shows

Bay’s AGT journey continued beyond his initial audition.

During the 2025 live shows, he performed Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” in the quarterfinals. Coverage of that performance again focused on his guitar playing, confidence and rock-oriented stage presence.

He later performed “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf during the semifinals.

That progression demonstrates that Bay’s AGT appearance was not simply a one-time viral moment. Rock music remained central to his performances throughout the competition.

A Young Performer With a Clear Musical Identity

Many young talent-show contestants are still experimenting with different styles.

Bay arrived with a much clearer identity.

He wanted to play guitar.

He loved rock music.

And he was comfortable bringing that sound to a huge television audience.

His first AGT audition gave viewers an introduction to that identity through Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”

The result was a performance that combined youthful enthusiasm with a serious commitment to rock guitar.

Final Thoughts

Bay Melnick Virgolino was only 10 years old when he auditioned for America’s Got Talent, but he walked onto the stage with a guitar and a clear intention: play rock ’n’ roll.

His performance of Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way” earned four yes votes and sent him forward in Season 20.

His later performances showed that the guitar and rock music were not just part of one audition. They were central to the young performer’s identity throughout his AGT journey.

For anyone who enjoys discovering young musicians,