MIAMI-DADE SCHOOLS
Miami-Dade students compete in 'American Idol' style contest
Students from 12 Miami-Dade high schools will compete in an `American Idol'-style competition to benefit a district arts program.
Concert Details
What: Miami-Dade schools competition concert.
When: 2 p.m. Oct. 9.
Where: Adrienne Arsht Center of the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.
Admission: $25 available at www.arshtcenter.org or by calling 305-949-6722.
BY KATHLEEN MCGRORY
KMCGRORY@MIAMIHERALD.COM
Christine Engelmann, 15, trembled as she walked up to the microphone.
She knew it was an important audition.
At stake: $5,000 for her school's fine arts program -- and a studio recording session for herself.
``It would mean so much to me to make my family and my school proud,'' said Christine, who attends Miami Springs Senior High. ``And the money would really help out our music program.''
Christine was one of 30 teenagers competing for a spot in an upcoming concert to benefit the Miami-Dade public school system.
The concert will have an American Idol feel. The 12 students who were selected, each representing a different Miami-Dade high school, will perform a song of their choice. The audience will then choose the winner.
``It's really exciting,'' said James Jones Jr., a sophomore at Miami Central Senior High who performed an original song for his audition. ``It's a great opportunity.''
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Miami-Dade school district's Cultural Passport program, which enables students to visit museums and art galleries and attend concerts and theatrical performances for free.
``These experiences are important for children,'' schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said. ``All students should be exposed to the arts and culture that we have in Miami-Dade County.''
Auditions for the concert took place in the School Board auditorium last week. Schools across the county participated; each was invited to send one of its most talented students.
The teenagers took the auditions seriously.
Janelly Perez, 17, a senior at Coral Gables High School, created her own arrangement of the jazz standard How High the Moon. She later met with a University of Miami pianist to record an accompaniment.
``I was up until 2 a.m. putting the piece together and practicing,'' Janelly said.
The songs performed at the auditions ran the gamut.
Andy Acosta of the School for Advanced Studies performed the operatic Per la Gloria d'Adorarvi.
Antonia Canova of Miami Edison belted out Christina Aguilera's Hurt.
Both students gave inspired performances.
``It felt great,'' said Antonia, a petite girl with a big voice.
Judging the auditions were seasoned music teachers Alicia Romero and Kevin Rutledge, and the district's music supervisor and resident musical theater guru R.T. Davis.
In Simon Cowell-like style, Davis coached the students on their breathing and posture, and how to work the space during their performance.
``Go home and practice in the mirror,'' Davis told one of the students after her audition. ``You can see yourself and see what works for you and what doesn't. It's all about making your face the most important thing on stage.''
After the auditions, the judges were tasked with choosing the 12 finalists who will perform at the concert. (See `Who's In' for the 12 finalists and their schools.)
``They're all very talented singers,'' Davis said. ``It's going to be tough.''
On the day of the concert, which will be held Oct. 9 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, the audience will listen to the 12 finalists and then select the winner with electronic voting devices.
The concert will also feature a group performance from the contestants and a performance from students at the New World School of the Arts.
``We've always known our students are great,'' Carvalho said. ``It's our job to give them a stage so the whole world knows it, too.''
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/26/1843977/students-vie-for-shot-at-big-time.html#ixzz14DnCw9Kc
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