Teenagers from across the country will converge at Secaucus’ Arthur F. Couch Performing Arts Center July 22 through 24 to compete in the NHS (National High School) Teen Idol singing competition. In its fifth year, the three-day event attracts close to a hundred teens and culminates in awarding a female and male winner $1,000 each, with the possibility of a recording contract and signing with a talent agency.
The non-profit group that organizes the event identifies talented teens by reaching out to a national network of talent scouts, band leaders, teachers, and high school theater directors for recommendations. Teenagers had until July 15 to register for the competition, but walk-ins tend to show up the day of the competition and are allowed to participate, said Alicia Colletti, executive associate producer for the event.
“They all go on to perform, their careers are blooming.” – Alicia Colletti
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She has organized the event the past three years, holding it in the past at Bergen Community College and in Long Branch. Organizers found the Secaucus PAC well-suited to be the location for the event this year, describing it as “gorgeous” and spacious enough to accommodate a large audience for the event.
A number of slots were reserved for Secaucus students, waiving the registrant fees; a courtesy the event’s producers extend to host municipalities each year. This year’s Secaucus participants include: Kelsey Yahn, 14; Gabrielle Pavlotsky, 16; and Kendyl Voli, 18.
The event mostly attracts teenagers from the tri-state area but has included participants coming all the way from Texas and Florida. Teenagers ages 13 through 19 can compete for the winning prize while children ages 10 through 12 can participate in the mascot program that allows them to compete through the quarterfinals and participate in the workshops.
Past years have been standing room only, and Colletti expects a packed auditorium for this year’s last two events: the semi-finals on Saturday at 7 p.m., with 25 semi-finalists, and the finals, which kick-off on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Voting will take place via a web livestream by viewers watching online and by the audience via text. Anyone can vote either via the web or in-person at the actual event. Tickets can be purchased at the door for both the Saturday and Sunday event finals.
Former American Idol semi-finalist to judge
John Zisa, a semi-finalist from the 2005 season of the hit TV show American Idol, will judge this year’s competition. He currently directs the vocal music and theater arts program at Hackensack High School. Zisa first became involved after he saw a performance in a play by a 2009 NHS Teen Idol winner.
“He explains to the [participants] how it really is out there,” said Colletti of his contribution. He offers the teens advice and also leads workshops.
Other judges include Janet Brown, former Miss USO; Stephanie Ferrari, a former Miss New Jersey; Liz Twiggs from St. Anne’s Stages, and Gary Colletti, performer and former mayor of West Paterson.
The producers of American Idol do not run this competition; it is run by a group of professionals who deal with young talent.
Setting the stage for a career in music
According to Colletti many of the participants go on to audition for American Idol and pursue careers in
performance.
“They all go on to perform. Their careers are blooming,” said Colletti.
Jess Leprotto, a 2010 finalist, is a contestant on the TV dance competition show, So You Think You Can Dance?
Ashlee Madhukar(AshleeM), a 2008 finalist, went on to win Apollo Theater’s Amateur Talent night competition in 2009, performed “Jai Ho” from the 2009 Oscar winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire” in India, and recorded a new version of the pop song “One Step at a Time” originally recorded by American Idol’s Jordin Sparks.
“My time at NHS teen idol was amazing, wonderful, fun, great people, and a learning experience I’ll never forget,” said a 2009 contest winner, Jamie Lee Gaita, in a testimonial. Gaita is among a few former NHS Teen Idol finalists who recently completed their CDs, along with 2008 female winner Catalina Gaglioti and 2009 male winner John Geraghty.
NHS airs their songs on the radio station called Artistsfirstnetwork, which can be found on the web and regularly hosts former participants.
Music career training workshops
Colletti says the event is like American Idol, “without the Simon Cowell factor” (referring to the sarcastic judge on the show), and with educational workshops given by industry professionals that encourage the teens and prepare them for a career in music.
Founder and executive producer Robert Ferraro Sr. is the founder of the National High School Coaches Association. His son, Robert Ferraro Jr., is also an executive producer. Executive Producers and Directors Carmen Jon and Robert Colletti both have performance backgrounds and lead some of the workshops including How to Make a Living in Show Business.
“A lot of the [participants] can sing, but they can’t songwrite,” said Colletti. For the first time this year, NHS Teen Idol will offer a songwriting workshop led by Helga Kaefer who was a songwriter on the CD for 2008 female winner Catalina Gaglioti. According to Colletti, the winners get one originally produced song from NHS Teen Idol.
Other workshop topics include: Press kits, recording, and touring, to name a few. Industry professionals such as Eugene Foley from Foley Entertainment and Blake Althene from the artist development group The Human Factor will also give career workshops and provide individual evaluations.
“We are one big happy family…everyone supports everyone,” said Colletti of the competition atmosphere. She said that parents help out other contestants when they can. Most stay on to watch the finalists even after their child gets eliminated.
NHS Teen Idol has their sights set on bigger stages with the hope to open the competition up globally.
“We want to go international at some point,” said Colletti.
For information on how to register, get tickets, or any other inquiries, please go to: http://nhsteenidol.com/
Adriana Rambay Fernández may be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.