Top 25 Announced for Media Theatre's 'Vocalist Junior' Contest, Semi-Finals 8/4

"Be sure you listen to the piano." "You need to work on your lyrics." "Lean in closer to the microphone." These are just a few of the comments given to the young performers ages 7-13 in The Media Theatre's "Vocalist Junior" contest during rehearsals prior to singing in front of the live audience on Sunday nights.

But for the most part, once the lights hit the stage and the appreciative audience begins to applaud, there was no need to worry as all 42 contestants remembered lyrics, hit the right notes, and utilized the microphone as if they were veterans of the stage. This is what those born to perform do-Come to life when the show begins.

For three weeks, the 42 singers showcased all they could muster as they performed pop and country hits and Broadway tunes. None of them should feel as if they lost a race, as it all came down to the opinions of guest judges and the theatre's Artistic Director Jesse Cline. "We look at this in a healthy way, to encourage rather than to discourage," Cline explained prior to the third week's competition. He knew that only 25 of the inspiring youth would return. "Sometimes it comes down to song choice, and how each judge sees what you do. No two judges will agree on anything, so it's an accumulation of points over three weeks."

Emcee Micki Sharpe, who has worked with children as a director, gave the youngsters her advice. "Never stop trying, no matter what happens tonight," she said. "You'll have times in the entertainment world in which you want to take things personally, but you should not. There will be a brighter day ahead for those of you are unable to return to Week Four. Just be patient, and it will come."

Part of what the judges began to look for was how the singer connected to the song they chose to sing. Cline made the point during the contest that "You have to know what you are singing about, even if you are 7 years old. It's hard to truly perform if you have no idea what you are doing, aside from hitting the correct notes."

Another issue was listening to the piano accompaniment. Tom Fosnocht, the theatre's resident music director, provided a safety net for the young singers as he would, at times, do his best to get them on track if they got off-pitch or could not find the proper key. For those who do not learn how to adhere to this the road to success as a singer is filled with dangerous curves.

Personality also plays a large part for the judges when it comes to the young age group. "There is a big difference in giving an opinion about an 8 year old as opposed to a 13 year old," Cline said. "With the very young, sometimes it is more about their charm as they sing. All of them, however, no matter what age have plenty of courage to put themselves on this stage week after week and allow themselves to be judged in several categories. We should applaud all of them."

The audience and the judges certainly did not spare their applause during the three weeks with the 42 young vocalists. But as time must move on, and only one is able to be voted "The Vocalist Junior 2013", we are now down to the Top 25 who will perform again Sunday night August 4 in the semi-final round.

"This is a perfect opportunity for young talented singers and performers to highlight what they do," Cline said. "We are Delaware County's only professional music theatre company and we are happy to provide this platform."

The Top 25 includes 8 talented singers from Media. They include The Clark siblings: Amanda , 13, Brinley, 8, and Kieran , 11, as well as a brother and sister-- Christopher Smith, 12, and Emily Smith, 11. The others are Danielle DiFiore, 12; Elaina Fitzgerald, 10; Brianna Jaffe, 11.

Not to be outdone, The Lebermann family of Downingtown also has a brother and sister moving forward in the contest: Haley, 11, and Matthew, 13.

Delaware County is well represented in the semi-finals with Jasmine Ayadi, 7, of Brookhaven; Morgan Bitzberger, 11, Thornton; Ali Buchanan, 11, Upper Darby; Katheryn Cooper, 10, Glen Mills; Cassidy Else, 8, Drexel Hill; Vicky Heppard, 11, Ridley Park; Paul Mariani III, 13, Ardmore; Fiona Moser, 10, Havertown; Hanna Murphy, 10, Springfield; and Jacqueline Sheck, 13, Brookhaven.

Chester County is represented by Justina Holahan, 11, of Phoenixville and Montgomery County is in the running with Rachel McVey, 9, of Norriston. The Main Line has Emily Steinhardt, 13, of Berwyn.

Two young singers from New Jersey also made the cut. Georgia Bevelheimer, 11, of Woodbury and Selena Marie, 13, of Maple Shade.

The "Vocalist Junior" semi-finals are Sunday night August 4 at 7 p.m. The winner receives $500 plus several other prizes. The competition is sponsored by Iron Workers Bank. For tickets, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org.

The Online Voting that took place the past three weeks has now been completely erased as the semi-finals approach. Online and paper ballot votes which the audience may turn in during the contest could assist in choosing the Final Top 15.