Husky Idol hopefuls face judges in first round

Last night the HUB auditorium resonated with the harmony of dozens of nervous singers getting ready to showcase their talents for the UW's first-ever Husky Idol.

The first round of auditions will narrow the field to 12 contestants, who will battle it out at the HUB Crawl Oct. 26. The top three finalists will then perform at half time at the UW vs. Cal Homecoming game.

"We're really excited about the turnout," said Anthony Papini, an adviser at the Student Activities Office (SAO). "This is the first time we've done a University-wide contest."

SAO, along with ASUW and the Husky Marching Band, sponsored the event. Husky Marching Band director, Brad McDavid came up with the idea when he was brainstorming for half-time show ideas over the summer.

"[I drew] upon the popularity of American Idol, especially since we had two contestants from the Seattle area," McDavid said.

McDavid hoped that the contest would bolster Homecoming's appeal.

"[Homecoming is] always there," he said. "There should be more emphasis on it to make it more special."

Six judges, three from ASUW and three from the Husky Marching Band, reviewed the contestants.

Freshman business major, Kylie Nelson found out about the event from a friend and knew right away that she wanted to participate.

"I've been singing since the womb," Nelson said, who has auditioned for several television shows and has performed in front of large crowds before.

Nelson's love of the stage inspired her to audition.

"I really miss singing," Nelson said. "I wanted to be on the stage. I didn't know when I would get any other opportunities."

Senior, Matthew Dela Cruz, also had been singing since he was a child.

"I've decided to enter because I love singing, and I'[d] done a couple of talent shows as a kid," he said. "It's definitely a passion of mine."

Dela Cruz has been practicing for Husky Idol and other shows for a month.

"I think [Husky Idol] is a great idea because Seattle, as a whole, has lot of talent," he said. "It's a dream of mine to perform in front of a football stadium with a band backing me."

Nelson was also excited at the prospect of potentially performing at halftime.

"I think it's a great idea, a great chance for an outlet to music. It's a cool thing to do," she said. "I'm very excited. Whatever happens, happens."

McDavid hopes that Husky Idol could continue in the future [HTML_REMOVED] but not next year, because halftime shows don't repeat. He is also glad the Husky Marching Band could become more integral to Homecoming.

"I'm happy to see that we could be a part of Homecoming," he said.

[Reach reporter Ae Jung Yoon at news@thedaily.washington.edu]

[HTML_REMOVED] Finalists [HTML_REMOVED]

Luba Kogan (Something to Talk About)

Marlaina Youch (If I Ain't Got You)

Kylie Nelson (If I Ain't Got You)

Katy Ardans (Heard It Through the Grapevine)

Daniel Triller (Over My Head)

Shalyn Flaherty (If I Ain't Got You)

Ji-In Lee (If I Ain't Got You)

Tyson Strotz (Let It Be)

Michael Triller (Over My Head)

Risa Wong (Get Ready)

Celine Gorski (Respect)

Stacia Bjornethun (Get Ready)