THE NEWS HERALD – Talent shines at “Roar Idol”

Published: Friday, July 29, 2011

By Andrea Blum

Talent was in abundance at the first Roar Idol competition.

A total of 24 singers turned out for the inaugural singing competition during last weekend’s Roar on the River in Trenton.

Singers competed a cappella in youth and adult categories on July 23 and finalists returned the next day to sing with backing music.

First-place winners in each division took home an 8GB iPod Nano while second-place winners earned $100 Meijer gift cards and third-place winners were awarded $50 Best Buy gift cards.

Nicole Johnson of Woodhaven earned first place in the adult division followed by second-place winner Julie Moore of Clio and third-place singer Michelle McCormick of Flat Rock.

In the youth category, Wyandotte resident Kelsey Williamson was named the first-place winner, followed by Lauren St. Andre of Riverview in second place and Audrey Nerowski of Southgate in the third spot.

“I was very impressed with the talent,” contest organizer and boat race co-director Roberta Gyiraszin said.

“In talking to a lot of the audience and vendors, they had same feeling. A lot of people came up to me and were shocked at the talent Downriver.”

Grosse Ile musician Zach Angileri acted as the event’s host, and a judging panel evaluated the performers.

Judges included Trenton Mayor Jerry Brown, musician Mike Foran, News-Herald staff writer Andrea Blum and Jason Gittinger, owner of the Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music.

Money raised from the event went to the Trenton Rotary Club.

Gyiraszin said there’s a good possibility that the contest will become an annual Roar event.

“It went over really well … and the mayor commented that it was very well organized,” she said. “All my volunteers were so helpful, and the singers were fantastic.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to be one of the judges.”