BELLOWS FALLS — After three audition cycles, contestants have been chosen to compete in the first of five elimination rounds for Southern Vermont Idol on Saturday, July 9.
The 13th annual premier amateur singing competition encompasses five weeks - July 9, 16, 23, 30 and Aug. 5 - and will be held at the BF Moose Lodge, 59 Westminster St.
According to a news release, contestants age 20 and over will perform all five weeks and will be joined by youth contestants in weeks three, four, and five. All performers are amateurs, defined as performers who engage in singing occasionally, paid or unpaid, rather than as a sole profession.
Youth contestants are: from Vermont, Cristo Buckley, Jaia Caron, Aaliyah Cox, Ezra Holloway; from New Hampshire, Scottie Perez, Hannah Sheltra; from Massachusetts, Nobaleigh Laraba.
Teen contestants are: from Vermont, London Bremel, Matilda Caldwell, Mackenzie Hall, Madison Jacques, Taylor Patterson, Izzy Serebrov, Leah Silva, and Rachel Spigel; from New Hampshire, Joshua Delaney, Lara Germana, Gabriella Klema, Alexandra Perez, and Bailey Tucker.
Adult contestants are: from Vermont, Julie Cermola, Jennifer Cousineau, David Ramos and Gina Richardson; from New Hampshire, Morgan Carter, Rachel Cote, Zoe Ferrin, Daniel Hartigan and Colin Whitcomb.
The top four adults have a chance to win the grand prize of $1,500 and a full-day recording session at Guilford Sound, a professional recording studio in the foothills of Vermont's Green Mountains. Second prize is $750, third $500, and fourth $250. The top four youth will win trophies, cash, and prizes. All finalists will be invited to perform during Rockingham Old Home Days festivities on Saturday, Aug. 6.
The emcee for the event is comedian, singer, and entertainer Wade Garrett. Judges for July 9 are Jeanie Levesque of North Walpole, Samantha Maskell of Bellows Falls, and Steve Pro of Keene. Judges' scores count for 50 percent of a contestant's total, and audience scores constitute the remaining 50 percent.