A star is born tonight

Twelve aspiring singers will compete tonight for the title of Federal Way Idol.

Audience members will pick the winner in the finals of the first-ever competition, beginning at 7 p.m. at Steel Lake Park.

The recipient of the most votes will receive $500, a recording session at Knutzen Family Theater in Federal Way and a chance to compete for $1,000 at the Battle of the Idols regional contest at the Puyallup Fair Sept. 16. Singers from idol competitions in other cities will round out the field.

Tonight’s Federal Way finals are the next step for performers who made it through auditions and the discerning ears of a panel of judges July 19 and 21 at Knutzen.

The contestants, mostly females ranging in age from 16 to 53, performed a song of their choice and were judged on believability, eye contact, vocal skill, stage presence and overall performance.

Getting the highest marks and thus advancing to the finals were Lindsay Nadrich, Heather Hannah, Malik Russell, Audrey Quinn, Autumn Sturzen, Erin Cox, Hannah Smith, Casey Bogert, Rebekah English, Christy Neilson, Karina Hartung, and Kyle Robinson.

Some performed classical pieces, others rhythm and blues or country.

Tonight’s runnerup will win a $100 prize and will perform in Puyallup if the winner can’t.

The city of Federal Way organized the compeetition, which is modeled after the hit television show “American Idol.” Officials had hoped to attract as many as 60 contestants.

Of the ones who did enter, most had some formal vocal training, such as school or a church choir. Some have sung with the Seattle Symphony or in live theater.

Tonight’s show is the season finale of the Summer Sounds at the Beach outdoor concert series, also organized by the city.

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