Eight courageous teenagers from Napa County filled the Napa Valley Opera House with music Saturday night as they vied for the title of “Idol NV.”

An attentive and enthusiastic crowd of more than 150 Napans turned out for the singing contest’s first round. Parents, grandparents and youngsters were there to cheer on their family members and friends; others, like Janis Pollock, came just to hear the music and vote for their favorites.

“We love talent,” said Pollock, one of three sisters — and two aunts — who purchased tickets to all seven rounds of “Idol NV” as soon as they heard about the contest.

There was plenty of talent, poise and bravery to enjoy on Saturday night. The fast-paced, intermissionless show allowed each singer one number,  followed by brief comments from three on-stage judges: singing coach  Andrew Moore, classical vocalist Sueyuen Shoemaker and arts supporter Wil Anderson.

At the end of the evening the judges chose two of the eight young  singers to compete for the “Idol NV” title during the contest’s final rounds in March. Audience members also voted for their two favorites, who received movie passes as prizes.

Most of the young performers sang to recorded backing, although a handful brought pianists, and Betania Verdeja of Yountville, who drew the opening slot, sang unaccompanied.

Friends in the audience waved a sign with Verdeja’s name on it as the 16-year-old Liberty High School student tearfully dedicated her soulful, a cappella rendition of “Amazing Grace” to her late friend Axel Fabre. Judge Moore praised Verdeja’s “beautiful voice,” while Shoemaker said “You’re brave to try a cappella. You can be something.”

Anderson simply said “I’m moved. I’m very moved.”

More soul came from 17-year-old Megan Murray from St. Helena High, singing Alicia Keys’‚ “If I Ain’t Got You.” All three judges praised Murray’s “comfortable” stage presence, as well as what Moore called “the beauty of your voice and your ability to sing softly and with power.”

Bluesy Owner a favorite

One of the evening’s standout performances came next from Alexzandra Owner, a 16-year-old attending Justin-Siena High School and an experienced singer who has performed on several North Bay stages with the children’s choir VOENA and other groups.

Owner’s confident delivery of the bluesy “Mercy on Me,” by Christina Aguilera, drew boisterous applause and would secure her a spot as one of the evening’s two finalists.

Jonie Delfin of American Canyon followed Owner with a spirited Stacie  Orrico number, “(There’s Gotta Be) More to Life.” The 16-year-old from Vintage High told the judges she loves karaoke and comes from a musical family: “We like to sing a lot and dance in the post office or somewhere random.”

Moore praised Delfin’s “great spirit and energy” along with her “lovely voice,” while Shoemaker and Anderson both noted her lively stage presence.

In the evening’s only touch of country music, Mercedes Flynn, a 13-year-old Napan from St. John’s Catholic School, sang the inspirational “Jesus Take the Wheel,” from “American Idol” star Carrie Underwood.

“Your voice really opened up in the last verse,” Shoemaker said. “I was really moved by that.” Both of the other judges complimented Flynn on her poise and courage.

 

Austin captivates with operetta

Today’s pop music was forgotten when Gina Austin of Napa sang “Vilja (The  Witch of the Woods)” from Franz Lehar’s 1905 operetta “The Merry Widow,” in a pure soprano that captivated judges and audience alike.

The 17-year-old Vintage High senior is the youngest of three singing sisters; her two older siblings hold master’s degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. Austin may well be destined for a music career of her own, if Saturday’s balloting is any indication: Both the audience and the judges named her one of their top two performers at the end of the night, giving her a shot at the “Idol NV” title in March.

The other audience favorite, 14-year-old Lizzi Jones of American Canyon, let out a girlish giggle before delighting listeners with “Journey to the Past,” from the Disney film “Anastasia.”

“Terrific — you really sing out beautifully,” Moore told Jones, while Shoemaker said “You’re just so cute — I can really see you on Broadway. You’re really good.”

Katherine Pella, a 13-year-old Napan who goes to St. John’s Catholic, ended the evening with the song that began another teenager’s career as a 20th-century idol: “Over the Rainbow,” first performed by Judy Garland in 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz.”

 Moore called Pella’s intimate, cabaret-style reworking of the Harold Arlen-Yip Harburg classic “such an original take on such a well-known song,” adding that it was refreshing to hear a singer “with such style at your age.”

 

Contest still open to singers

 Although only Austin and Owner will go on to compete for the Idol NV title in March, all of Saturday’s singers seemed exhilarated after their performances and the voting.

 “I’m just excited about the whole situation,” said Jones, an audience favorite, but not among the judges’ top two. “I had a lot of fun.”

 Opera House executive director Evy Warshawski said she’s still looking for more singers to compete in the three upcoming Idol NV qualification rounds, Jan. 27, Feb. 3 and Feb. 24. The contest is open to male and female singers age 13 to 18 who reside in Napa County.

 For information, contact the Opera House at 226-7372 or enter online at www.nvoh.org.