Weekender Encore: Free Program Elevates Young Singers
By Lisa Adams Walter
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — When the annual IDOL NV vocal competition commences with first-round auditions on Dec. 12 and 19 at Tonewood & Courage in Downtown Napa, local teens will again have the chance to earn a spot to showcase their vocal talent. The competition culminates with semifinals on Jan. 18 and the final competition on Jan. 19, 2025.
Fashioned after the long-standing “American Idol” televised series that has aired nationally since 2002, Idol NV has been presented by E & M Presents the past two years. The object is to provide a platform and life-changing performance and learning experience for Napa Valley singers ages 12 to 17.
E & M Presents, the local entertainment production company co-founded by Evy and Morrie Warshawski, focuses on family-friendly programming for youngsters. Idol NV fits perfectly with their mission of filling an important gap in the cultural landscape of the Napa Valley by presenting affordable, highly entertaining performing arts geared to families with children.
“You have to win over your fear because if you don’t, then fear will fight over your dream.” – Andrea Barrera, 2024 Idol NV winner
“It is so rewarding for us to bring these young, talented singers to the stage,” Evy Warshawski said. “There are some truly amazing voices out there with big aspirations.”
The Idol NV 2024 winner was 17-year-old Napa High School student Andrea Barrera, who was encouraged by her mother along with several friends and teachers to audition last year. She recalls that the process of auditioning was a little bit scary.
“The really challenging part would come after the audition, when you have to compete with really talented people,” Barrera said. “I used to think that I wasn't good enough for it.” She questioned herself, facing the natural feelings of insecurity that hit onstage. “You have to win over your fear because if you don’t, then fear will fight over your dream.”
Warshawski is thrilled with the engagement of Napa Valley locals.
“The community has been incredibly supportive of IDOL,” she said, “and we pull judges from throughout the performing arts community in the Napa Valley. This season, Amplifi Napa Valley is the lead sponsor and is helping with promotion and community connections. Other key sponsors that make the program possible include Community Projects and Festival Napa Valley.”
The Warshawskis are long-time arts professionals who bring deep local and national arts management and educational experience, earning the honor of serving as National Endowment for the Arts Fellows in Washington, D.C.
“Kids get out there and give their best, and though they may not have the voices of a Celine Dion or Michael Bublé, they have the bravery to give it a try,” Warshawski said. “While they may be in school choirs, there are not many opportunities to go solo and vie for some cool rewards if they place in the top three.”
IDOL is open to all Napa County students 12 through 17 years of age. The top three winners, selected by a panel of performing arts professionals, will take home prizes.
“We don't ask for a penny from them,” Warshawski added, “It is free to audition, free if they want vocal coaching and we offer free tickets for their parents. It's a ‘give, give,’ which, with the great funding we have for this program, is a rarity in the arts these days for the kids.”
Audition Dates
Young hopefuls can audition Thursday, Dec. 12, and Thursday, Dec. 19, Tuesday Jan. 7, and Wednesday, Jan. 8. Auditions are free and take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at Tonewood & Courage, 1300 First St., No. 212, Napa. Singers can choose to use live musical accompaniment and select any musical genre. For an audition application, visit the E & M Presents website at eandmpresents.org or email evywar@gmail.com for an emailed copy.
“Kids get out there and give their best, and though they may not have the voices of a Celine Dion or Michael Bublé, they have the bravery to give it a try.” – Evy Warshawski
The semifinals are set for Saturday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center. Twenty singers, as chosen by the judges, will compete in a matinee performance round at the college. Ten will move on to the finals on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m.
Three top winners chosen by the judges will receive prizes that include concert tickets, gift cards, cash prizes and opportunities to sing at community events during the year. An Audience Favorite award will also be bestowed as determined by votes from the audience.
Tickets to the semis and finals are $25 for adults and $12 for children ages 12 and under. Find tickets via a link at the E & M Presents website (eandmpresents.org). For additional information, contact Evy Warshawski, 707-501-8567.
“I know that if you trust yourself a lot of good things will come,” Barerra said. “Along the way in my experience I met some great people. Talented, humble, kind people, extroverts, introverts. I met a lot of people that made the experience unforgettable. The sky's the only limit; you are capable of it. I encourage you to participate in NV IDOL 2025!”
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Lisa Adams Walter is a writer, storyteller, editor and publicist who has been published in media outlets locally and nationally. A California Wine Country native, she brings intimate insight to an array of wine, food, arts, entertainment, lifestyle and travel stories.