LYNNWOOD — More than 100 children lined up around the Alderwood Mall food court March 27 to take a chance at belting out a favorite song before three judges and a large crowd during the Radio Disney Superstar Kidz Talent Search.
Fifty children 14 and younger auditioned for one of three spots as finalists. The remaining contestants were put on a waiting list to try their luck this Saturday, April 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the mall.
Baylee Rabe, 8, of Lake Stevens said she was there because she loves to sing. Her favorite artist? “Lizzie McGuire, of course!”
When she got on the stage to sing McGuire’s “What Dreams Are Made Of,” Baylee said her nervousness disappeared.
“I was really excited, and just a little nervous, until I got onstage,” she said.
Her mother, Dottie Rabe, said, “Her dream is to sing, that’s her passion. She’s been taking voice lessons and singing since she was 3 years old.”
Radio Disney representative Jerry Weir said: “There are not a lot of things like this for kids, so it’s fun to see them shine. These kids get to come do karaoke in front of a crowd, and they love it.”
The three judges — Deann Anderson of Kid Biz Talent Agency; John Davis, director of marketing and public relations for the Seattle Thunderbirds; and Matthew Moore, a musician with the Seattle band Cliff Picnic — assessed the contestants on their vocal techniques, stage presence, personality, audience connection and overall performance.
“We were looking for the whole package — the look, the confidence and the voice — and it was great to see a wide variety of kids and talents,” Anderson said.
“It’s such a great experience, it gives these children a chance to show their talents, build self-esteem, and raises their confidence level,” she added. a
The three finalists selected on March 27 were Anya Holte, 14, of Enumclaw; Sabrina Roberts, 11, of Maple Valley; and Keaton Whittaker, 7, of Bothell.
They will join the three finalists from this Saturday’s audition and three others from a March 13 audition in the final competition, 3-5 p.m. April 10 at Seattle Center’s Whirligig, an annual carnival for kids.
The winner of that competition receives a trip to Disneyland and will compete for the chance to go to Hollywood for a studio recording session with a music producer and be featured in an upcoming Walt Disney Records CD release.
Pam Brice is a reporter for The Herald in Everett.
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