Musicians Compete in Vienna Idol Semis Today
Nine contestants vie for spot in finals of fundraiser to benefit the Khristin Kyllo Memorial Fund
Photos
After three qualifying rounds, nine Vienna-area acts — ranging from young teens to a married couple — will compete Sunday in the semifinals of Vienna Idol.
Caffe Amouri, Whole Foods and The Business Bank brought the local spin on the popular "American Idol" competition to town in honor of Khristin Kyllo, the 18-year-old rising softball star at Princeton University who died unexpectedly last winter in her dorm room. Proceeds from the competition are going to the memorial fund in Kyllo's name to honor the Madison High School alumna "with a heart of gold and a million dollar smile."
The semifinalists will be split into two rounds Sunday during Viva!Vienna!, one at 11:30 a.m. and another at 2:15 p.m. in the parking lot of Caffe Amouri. Performances are open to the public.
A look at the semifinalists:
| Performance Time | Names | Bio (Candidate-Submitted) |
| 11:30 a.m. | David Egelhofer and Diane Rosenthal | Married in 1998, Dave and Di have been involved in the local music scene for over 20 years. Dave has played guitar in country, rock, blues, R&B bands as well as original pop bands. Currently with Paper Umbrella . Di performed with the Newkeys who played with Bruce Springsteen at the Stone Pony in 1989. Today, when she’s not singing, she’s giving private piano lessons at her home studio in the town of Vienna. |
| 11:45 a.m. | Christine Forester | Christine Foerster, at 16, is a junior at George C. Marshall high school. She has taken vocal training for nearly six years and has participated in the last five summer theatre productions with Vienna Youth Players at the Vienna Community Center, the last being "13 the Musical," in which she played Lucy. She taught herself how to play guitar during eighth grade and one of her many interests is competitive cheerleading. Christine plans on applying to Florida State University her senior year, to major in commercial music and minor in business. |
| Noon | David Eaton |
David Eaton is a current student at James Madison High School. He is 17 years old and has always had a passion for music. He plans on studying music in college and hopefully pursuing music as a career in the future. He has many musical influences, such as Jeff Mangum, Jack White, and Julian Casablancas. Along with music, he enjoys creating artwork, participating in MAD Drama productions, and longboarding with friends. He's hoping to see his name in lights one day and that Vienna Idol will help get him on his way. |
| 12:15 a.m. | Polly Lohrmann | In 9th grade, she began leading worship at a local area church. Polly is always looking to grow more musically and loves new opportunities for music ministry. She continues writing country/pop songs and enjoys posting videos of her singing on YouTube. Polly will be transferring to Berklee College of Music for the spring 2013 semester and is planning to major in Music Business. |
| 12:30 p.m. | Ethan Schaefer | I am 14 years old and I love to play music. I play guitar and piano and I absolutely love singing. My main inspiration in music is my dad. You may know him as Robbie Schaefer. He supports me more than any father has.I have signed up for Vienna Idol to hopefully get started on my musical career and see where that takes me in life. |
| BREAK | ||
| 2:15 p.m. | Alex Callsen | Alex Callsen is 19 years old. He wrote his first song on the guitar at age 11. His best friend, Jae gave him his guitar. “Jae’s guitar is beautiful." It has been there at the most important moments of Alex’s life: “ I played it at my high school graduation and at Khristin's funeral. I will never forget this guitar, and the hearts that it has touched.” |
| 2:30 p.m. | Kristen Inglese and Zoey Jeong | Kristen Inglese and Zoey Jeong are seniors at James Madison High School. They met working on the school newspaper staff together and have performed for a club fundraiser together. Inglese plans to attend University of Virginia, and Jeong plans to attend Wellesley College in the fall. |
| 2:45 p.m. | Jason Brubaker |
Jason Brubaker is a NOVA native. Working locally as in IT consultant, Jason is a singer-song writer for over 15 years with influences ranging everywhere from blues and classic rock, to metal, emo and pop. He has two albums: "Possession" and "...of the Gods". He is working on a |
| 3 p.m. | Maya Refreno | When I create songs my medium is a mind-line and a practice in continuous free association. Through the filter of my mind I enjoy playing piano, violin, guitar, my vocal chords, and the computer. I hope to travel the United States this summer on a musical adventure. I just returned to the United States from India; a place that is inexplicably talented in bombarding my every sense. I found myself finally viscerally connected to the constant life process of being filled and emptied with thoughts, belly laughter, spice, and hope. Without the ability to anticipate where I'll be taken by music, art, or rickety Indian rickshaw all I can plan to do is enjoy the continuous process of learning. |
In This article
-
-
Caffe Amouri
107 Church St NE, Vienna, VA -
Whole Foods
143 Maple Avenue E., Vienna, VA -
The Business Bank
133 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA -
-
Celia Blalock
6:46 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
Very nice write up, Erica. Thanks from Celia B.