Talented Teens Come To Napa Valley Opera House Stage

Students from Napa, Yountville, Glen Ellen, St. Helena and American Canyon will compete in the first Competition Round of Idol NV at the Napa Valley Opera House on Saturday, January 13 at 8 p.m. Jeff Schechtman of KVON Radio will emcee the performance which will include a diverse repertoire of musical selections from "Amazing Grace" to Alicia Keys' "Fallin'" to "There You Are" by Martina McBride. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students with ID.

The contestants include Gina Austin, Lizzi Jones and Melissa Loper of Vintage High, Napa High student Monica Ali-Musa, Mercedes Flynn and Katherine Pella of St. John's, Liberty High student Betania Verdeja, Alexzandra Owner of Justin Siena High and Megan Murray of St. Helena High.

The county-wide competition for teens, age 13 to 18, takes place over five Saturday evenings in January, February and March, culminating in two Final Rounds on March 17 and 18. Celebrity judges, as well as audience members will critique the contestants, selecting those talented enough to move on to the final rounds. Prizes fit for a teen include laptop computers, cash, and gift certificates for food and clothing to name just a few. The winner will open for a Napa Valley Opera House presented national artist on the Opera House stage and will sing at Grad Night 2007.

Applications are still being accepted for the remaining four Competition Rounds, slated for January 27, February 3 and 24 and, March 3 at 8 p.m. -- www.napavalleyoperahouse.org