Contestants are vying to be the second Schomberg Idol

Giuliana Guarna

The Schomberg Agricultural Society is once again hosting the Schomberg Idol competition.

This is the second year for the competition, in which young singers will be seeking the title. The winner will receive numerous prizes, including the opportunity to perform at a number of community events.

There will be a series of preliminary events over the coming weeks. The first one will be March 29, at 1:30 p.m. at Schomberg United Church.

This year's Schomberg idol will be named at Schomberg Fair in May.

Today, we start profiling the Idol hopefuls.

Giuliana Guarna

Giuliana is an amazing and talented young woman.

Her innate talent in varied fields will hold her in good stead as many universities would love to include her in their alumni. She is lovely and vivacious, yet her humility is at once charming and genuine.

Giuliana is a Grade 9 student at a private school in Etobicoke. Her face lit up as she expounded on the "amazing" music program where she studies the violin and also sings in a jazz band.

Michael D'Alessandro

She been studying vocals for five years with Geordie Barnett of the ever popular Arcadia Academy of Music in Nobleton and the violin for seven years with Corrie, also of Arcadia.

Giuliana's innate vocal talent actually helped her skip her Grade 1 in music totally and begin in Grade 2. She has achieved Grade 6 in vocals and Grade 4 in violin. Her ultimate goal is to get her Grade 10 in vocals and then her ARCT, which would give her a teaching degree in music. Giuliana dabbles in piano and guitar, both of which she taught herself.

Giuliana intends to use these achievements as music credits in high school. Presently, her goal is med school with a minor in music. Not too lofty a goal for such a talented and wellrounded student.

Over the years, Giuliana has placed at several FunFest Music competitions in Toronto and placed third at her church's contest at St. Mary Margaret in Woodbridge, where she was the youngest contestant.

Giuliana plays many sports, including basketball, volley ball and soccer. Last year she was honored with the Student of the Year Award, proving herself to be an outstanding student with the highest average. She also won a technology award and has already been nominated this year for a music award, which she is very excited about.

This year Giuliana will play one of the seven lead roles in the play Beetlejuice, put on at her high school. She played a major role in an Annie production, where she participated in the Playhouse Theatre Acting Camp, in Richmond Hill.

Forget about "triple threat." This girl is a major multiple threat. She has danced competitively in Bolton, swam competitively at the Vaughan Life Saving Club and even bowled competitively, winning at the Provincials in her first year.

Giuliana sits on the Math Team at her school, held the position of Secretary of the Student Council in Grade 8 and presently sits on the Athletic Council of her school, where she helps organize banquets, fundraisers and particularly Olympic Day in May.

Michael D'Alessandro

Michael is the lone male contestant in this year's Schomberg Idol contest.

Twelve years of age, Michael is in Grade 7 at St. Patrick Catholic School in Schomberg and is the proud big brother to both Julia and Matthew.

The D'Alessandros have been Schombergonians since 2000, hailing from Etobicoke, prior to their move north.

Ever since he was in Grade 2, Michael has been displaying innate signs of musical talent, which no doubt will bee seen by all throughout this Idol contest.

Last year, Michael had considered entering Schomberg Idol contest, but he just didn't think he was quite ready. Well, with genuine support from family and friends, Michael has decided he is ready!

Michael enjoys both acoustic and electric guitar and is entirely self-taught. He obviously has an excellent ear. His cousin, Nicholas DiVincenzo and friend Adam Bigelli, have both been coaching and mentoring Michael.

Michael has auditioned and performed in several of the talent shows at his school, where he could have an audience upwards of 200 people. Michael quite enjoys this and feels that he has found his niche.

The King City Secondary School band came to visit St. Patrick and so impressed Michael that he has now opted to attend KCSS after graduation. KCSS is known for their excellent music program. The band is very active in fund-raising and performs and competes internationally. This intrigued Michael and should prove to be an excellent experience for him.

Beyond high school, Michael is looking to universities specializing in computer engineering and design. Insisting, however his first love will always be music!