Idol contestants readying themselves for first showcase

Nellie Beatty

This year's Schomberg Idol contest, sponsored by Schomberg Agricultural Society and Music 21, Bolton, is well underway.

There are six talented contestants ranging in age from 13 to 16, all vying for the 2008 Schomberg Idol crown. This year the contestants have already performed at Main Street Christmas and for the Kitchen Breedon Manor residents.

They are now busy making the right song choices for their personal performances, along with group rehearsals to prepare themselves for the first showcase. This will take place March 29 at Schomberg United Church, starting at 1:30 p.m. All are invited everyone to attend, bring a friend and enjoy a great afternoon of music. There is no admission, but patrons are asked to bring a non perishable item for the King Township Food Bank.

The Schomberg Idol 2008 will have the opportunity to represent the Agricultural Society at several local fairs and events in the township throughout the coming year, as well as win some fantastic prizes donated by local businesses.

The 2008 Idol will be named May 24 at Schomberg Fair. Today, we profile two more Idol hopefuls.

Alicia Richard

Nellie (Onellia) is a beautiful, passionate and savvy young woman, blessed with a multitude of gifts.

She is personable, outgoing, artistic and sporty; but most of all it is her music that gives her the greatest pleasure. Both singing and song writing light up her face and it is her intention to pursue these God-given talents.

This Grade 11 Thomas Aquinas High School student is well on her way for this journey she has chosen. In her short life, she has already performed and competed at several venues. Her song writing is an unquestioned passion and her fervent desire is that people not only hear, but listen and relate to her lyrics. Her hope is that her lyrics will be a theme song to many people's lives. As can be seen, her passion for her art is quite obvious!

Along her way, Nellie has been very fortunate to be supported and mentored by many talented people who have recognized her immense gift. After hearing Nellie sing at school, her Grade 5 teacher Mike Curly encouraged her to continue developing her talent in this area. Grant Boyer, from the popular band Entropy, has supported and coached her and Dawn Shadow along the way. Popular local musician George Scott, who hosts a singer/songwriter showcase in Alliston at the Gibson Centre, has been a wonderful mentor to Onellia. It was he, who encouraged her to sing in public for the first time, at a local coffee pub Groundswell's Open Mic night. Scott continues to support and boost Nellie's musical journey, and she will forever be grateful for all the support, advice and encouragement he offers her. Together they have done a great deal of charity work throughout the community. Venues like Christmas at York Simcoe Manor, The Light Up festival in Tottenham and the Family Picnic in Alliston are just a few of the spots that have benefited from the talents of these two people.

Nellie is also lead singer in an all-girl band called Dawn Shadow, which entertained at Schomberg Fair, Schomberg Spirit and Bonfire Night, The Muddy Waters Hotel in Beeton and the Tottenham Halloween Dance. At this dance, she performed alongside The Ascending Pilgrims, a wellknown local group from Schomberg.

Along with school and her music, Nellie is apprenticing at a Hair Salon, the Studio Hair Design in Beeton. Her goal is to be able to choose her hours doing hair so she can pursue her musical dreams.

Nellie is a Beeton resident and has a brother Griffen. She loves surfing, horseback riding and rugby. Already Nellie has been fortunate enough to travel to many corners of the world, such as Africa, England, the States and coast to coast in Canada.

Her talent, tenacity and passion will do her well as she pursues her musical dreams. Nellie just really wants people to listen and relate to her lyrics as she vies for the Schomberg Idol crown.

Alicia, a Grade 8 student at FX O'Reilly, is little sister to PJ and Roddy, and is from a very musical family, where music plays a regular part of their leisure and entertainment. Her mom loves to strum on the guitar, but she claims that Alicia is blessed with an innate talent that she herself never possessed.

Alicia studies at the Modern Conservatory of Music in Alliston with Anita Horodynsky, where she has studied vocals for two years and guitar for one.

Alicia's artistic flair obviously leans to the theatre, where she has performed in several school plays and she looks forward to more plays, training and opportunities in the dramatic field.

Leading and organizing seem to be strong points for Alicia, as she enjoys being head of her choir and looks forward to any musical or theatrical opportunities in which to participate.

Alicia has competed successfully in the kids' talent show at the local Tottenham Blue Grass Festival and has performed at The Village, Baja Luna Lounge in Tottenham. Smiling, Alicia savours the moment she sang I Will Remember You by Sarah McLaughlin at one of her masses.

As much as Alicia loves her music, competition and performing, she also is a good athlete, enjoying volley ball, basketball and ball hockey.

Alicia is definitely a girl of all seasons with many varied interests and talents. She is really looking forward to the positive experience of competing in the Schomberg Idol contest.