The “American Idol” program is famous for cut-throat competition among its singers and cutting criticism from its judges.

But that’s just TV. The real world — at least in Napa — is a kinder place, as audience and contestants discovered Saturday night at the Napa Valley Opera House.

The second competition round of the “Idol NV” contest was a lively and warmhearted affair, with classmates and families loudly cheering not only their own teen favorites but every one of the eight young singers who performed.

The audience’s generosity was matched by that of the three judges, who had only encouraging comments for the contestants.

“You are so courageous … and your tone is so sweet and so pure,” judge Michelle Williams, executive director of the Arts Council of Napa Valley, told 14-year-old Andrew Cordes of American Canyon, who drew the first spot on Saturday’s program.

In his first-ever solo appearance on stage, Cordes sang “Draw Me Close” by Michael W. Smith.

“The more you do it, the better you’re going to get,” said judge Peter Sykes of the Napa School of Music.

Cameron Smith, a petite 13-year-old Napan who has been singing with the North Bay children’s choir VOENA since she was 6, followed Cordes with a soaring Celine Dion hit written by Diane Warren, “Because You Loved Me.”

“You live to sing, don’t you?” said Williams admiringly after Smith’s number. Sykes added, “I think you have a bright future ahead of you as a singer.”

Another 13-year-old, Kandace Markovich of Napa, was accompanied by her mother Kim at the piano as she sang the intimate Sacha Skarbek-James Blunt lament “Goodbye My Lover.”

Judge Mike VanDuyn, a longtime Napa guitarist, praised Markovich’s tone and said “If you really were to let it out, I think your voice could be really powerful.”

“A very mature performance for someone who’s only 13,” Sykes added. “You’re off to a good start.”

Napan Lauren Robinson, 17, also chose a James Blunt song: “You’re Beautiful,” a  #1 hit for the tremulous-voiced British singer in 2005. Robinson, who plays Marian in the Napa High School production of “The Music Man” opening next month, impressed the judges with her ringing tone and delivery.

“Your pitch was spot-on and your enunciation was very clear, and I really liked your tone” Sykes told Robinson.

“I feel like there’s something huge in there that you’re just waiting to let out,” added Williams.

Another Napa High student followed Robinson with a dramatically different song and performance: Monica Ali-Musa delivered a full-throated version of soul star Alicia Keys’ “Fallin’,” winning over judges and audience alike.

“I like the passion you have … when you sing,” VanDuyn told a giggling Ali-Musa.

“You bring so much soul to your singing,” Williams said. “There’s a maturity to your voice that completely belies your age, and I hope you keep singing.”

Williams will get her wish when Ali-Musa returns to the Opera House for the final round of the “Idol NV” competition on March 17: The 16-year-old was named a finalist as well as an audience favorite at the end of Saturday’s competition round.

The evening’s second finalist, 16-year-old Jessica Adlawan of Napa, was clearly an audience favorite even before she began to sing: Friends and family waved printed signs reading “Jessica Rocks the House!”

The slender Vintage High School student gave powerful voice to the brooding, bluesy Christina Aguilera number “Mercy on Me,” finishing to roof-raising applause and raves from the judges.

“If I hadn’t been sitting right here, I never would have believed what came out of you,” said an impressed Williams, while Van Duyn added “It’s going to take me an hour to push these goosebumps back in.” Sykes briefly spelled out his response: “W, O and W: Wow.”

Vintage High student Michelle Tubman, 15, followed Adlawan with a second Christina Aguilera song, the empowerment ballad “A Voice Within,” winning technical praise from the judges.

“The transition from your head (voice) to your mixed (voice) to your chest (voice) was just so beautiful,” Williams said,

“You look great and you sang beautifully,” Sykes said.

A third contestant from Vintage High drew the final spot in Saturday’s round. Clapping and loud cheers greeted 17-year-old Gerrell Roberts of American Canyon, who sang Stevie Wonder’s “Never Dream You Leave in Summer.”

“That was really soulful and really beautiful,” said Williams; VanDuyn told Roberts that “no matter what you sing, I think it’d be great — you’re the kind of guy who can sing anything.”

Then it was time for the judging. Sykes, VanDuyn and Williams made their two top choices based on four criteria: “Musical Ability,” including voice quality, range and pitch; “Presence,” defined as poise and comfort with performing; “Originality” in song selection and wardrobe and “Style”: movement, personality and attitude.

Audience members also selected two favorites, and unlike in the first competition round earlier this month, they were the same as the judges’: Monica Ali-Musa and Jessica Adlawan.

The two 16-year-olds will compete for the title of “Idol NV” in the final round at the Opera House March 17, along with 16-year-old Alexzandra Owner — named a finalist Jan. 13 after singing Aguilera’s “Mercy on Me,” the same song that won Adlawan a spot — 17-year-old Gina Austin, and the winners of three more competition rounds beginning this Friday. (A second final round March 18 has been dropped.)

The singer proclaimed “Idol NV” on March 17 will receive a laptop and the chance to open for a headline act at the Napa Valley Opera House later this year.

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

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