THE WINNERS OF LYNNFIELD IDOL on May 21 were, from left, Faculty Division winner Holly Bourdon, Junior Division winner Kylie Geary and Senior Division winner Paige Martino. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Three singers were crowned as champions of the Lynnfield Idol competition in the high school auditorium on May 21.
There were 12 singers who competed in the Lynnfield Idol competition, which raises money for the Lynnfield High School Music Department. The event, which was last held in June 2022, featured a large crowd in the auditorium.
LHS junior Paige Martino won the Senior Division for high school students. Paige, who also competed in Lynnfield Idol two years ago, sang “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack and “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood.
“I am definitely proud of myself, but I couldn’t have done it without the support I received from my family, my friends and my boyfriend,” said Paige.
North Shore Music Theatre General Manager Karen Nascembeni, who served as one of the competition’s judges once again, was impressed by Paige’s performances.
“You are the master of the slow burn,” said Nascembeni. “I was impressed by your stage presence.”
Producer/engineer Kenny Lewis, who has worked with musicians such as Carlos Santana and Stryper, agreed.
“I love your country twang,” said Lewis. “It was a beautiful performance.”
Berklee College of Music professor Karen Carr, a vocal coach who has worked with artists such as Alicia Keys and Lionel Ritchie, concurred with Nascembeni and Lewis’ sentiment.
“Your voice sounded beautiful,” said Carr. “I thought you did fantastic.”
Lynnfield Middle School sixth-grader Kylie Geary won the Junior Division for middle school students. She performed “All-American Girl” by Carrie Underwood and “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. She noted that her dad used to play “Hallelujah” on guitar and she would sing with him during the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of Kylie’s friends loudly cheered her on during Lynnfield Idol.
“It feels great,” said Kylie. “I am really happy. I love performing.”
Carr commended both of Kylie’s performances.
“I thought you did a great job,” said Carr. “You have a big fan club here.”
Nascembeni concurred with Carr’s viewpoint.
“That was a very mature performance for a sixth-grader,” said Nascembeni. “You owned the stage and got the crowd involved.”
Lewis agreed with Nascembeni that Kylie “owned the stage.”
“You are an amazing singer for someone your age,” said Lewis.
LHS theater director/choreographer Holly Bourdon won the Faculty Division. Bourdon sang “You Go Down Smooth” by Lake Street Drive and “The Joke” by Brandi Carlisle.
“It feels amazing,” said Bourdon. “I competed in Lynnfield Idol when I went to high school here. It’s just wonderful to come back and participate again.”
Bourdon’s two performances impressed Carr.
“Wow,” said Carr. “You were sassy and rocked it. I love your tone.”
Nascembeni called both of Bourdon’s performances “dynamite.”
“You totally owned it,” said Nascembeni. “The best part of it was you could tell that you were having a great time on the stage.”
Lewis said Bourdon is an “amazing singer.”
THE LYNNFIELD IDOL competition featured participants, from left, Paige Martino, Chloe Cieslewicz, Mallory DiSilvio, Kylie Geary, Mia Martins, Colin Morrison, Maria Chambers, Veronica Wainwright, Janhavi Joglekar, Viola Wertz, Holly Bourdon, Doug Hodgkins and judges Karen Carr, Kenny Lewis and Karen Nascembeni. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
The Senior Division also featured LHS senior Veronica Wainwright singing “I Have A Dream” by ABBA during Act 1 and “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele during Act 2. Senior Viola Wertz sang “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri in Act 1 and “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Perri in Act 2.
Senior Mari Chambers performed “Little Miss Perfect” by Write Out Loud in Act 1 and “Kindergarten Boyfriend” from “Heathers: The Musical” in Act 2. Senior Janhavi Joglekar sang “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield during Act 1 and “All I Ask” by Adele during Act 2.
Sophomore Mallory DiSilivio sang “Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin during Act 1 and “She Used To Be Mine” by Sara Bareilles during Act 2. Sophomore Chloe Cieslewicz performed “Fields of Gold” by Sting in Act 1 and “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman during Act 2.
The Junior Division also featured eighth-grader Mia Martins singing “Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga in Act 1 and “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston in Act 2. Sixth-grader Colin Morrison performed “All Of Me” by John Legend and “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses, the latter of which featured Colin dressed up like GNR lead singer Axl Rose.
LHS Choral Director Doug Hodgkins was the runner-up to Bourdon in the Faculty Division. Hodgkins, who won the Faculty Division two years ago, sang “Burnin’ for You” by Blue Oyster Cult during Act 1 and performed an a cappella version of The Beatles’ “Yesterday” during Act 2.
Nascembeni praised all 12 singers’ performances during Lynnfield Idol.
“The talent in our small town never ceases to amaze me,” said Nascembeni in an interview with the Villager. “There were standouts in all categories including Faculty, Senior and Junior divisions. All 12 of the finalists really brought their ‘A game’ to the show. Each one of them was in it to win it. I also loved how well each of the contestants responded to the judges feedback. From the first act to the second, you could see that they were already tweaking their performances and implementing our advice. Congratulations to everyone who competed.”
The 12 performers were accompanied by a band featuring Hodgkins on piano, LHS Band Director Harry Wagg on acoustic guitar, LHS junior Nick Lozado on electric guitar, Bruce Weaver on bass and Joe Cincotta on drums.
LHS seniors Izzy Moschella and Madison Danese served as the masters of ceremonies of Lynnfield Idol. Izzy and Madison asked the 12 singers different questions after each performance.
Nascembeni gave each singer and each band member a pair of tickets to “Fiddler on the Roof” at North Shore Music Theatre. She also urged all of the singers to listen to the feedback that the three judges gave them.
“Keep singing,” said Nascembeni. “I hope you take all of the great feedback we gave you into consideration.”
