Brimming with talent: Alexandria Idol contest held at mall

• Audra Jones

Echo Press photo by Celeste Beam Audra Jones, 18, of Alexandria was the first place winner of this year’s Alexandria Idol, which took place Saturday at Viking Plaza Mall. The contest was sponsored by Viking Plaza Mall and 104.7 KCLD-Radio from St. Cloud.
• Amanda Richards

Echo Press photo by Celeste Beam Amanda Richards, 17, of Alexandria was the second place winner in the Alexandria Idol contest held at Viking Plaza Mall on Saturday.

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The judges from American Idol would have had their work cut out for them last Saturday as the Viking Plaza Mall was brimming with talented singers.

More than 30 contestants took the stage during the 7th annual Alexandria Idol Contest, sponsored by Viking Plaza and 104.7 KCLD-Radio from St. Cloud.

The contest, based on the popular television show American Idol, is for students in grades K-12. This year’s participants came from all over Minnesota and one even came from as far away as Tokyo, Japan, noted Ann Butler, Viking Plaza Mall director of operations.

The 32 contestants, who participated in this year’s Alexandria Idol, ranged in age from 11 to 18. All participants sang in the first round and then it was narrowed down to 10 contestants and then to five contestants.

Three winners were chosen from the remaining five. They were:

•First place – Audra Jones, 18, from Alexandria. Two of her song selections were “No One” by Alisha Keys and “Blue” by LeAnn Rimes.

Jones received a $350 gift certificate from the Bike and Fitness Company; a teeth whitening treatment worth $350 from Family Cosmetic Gentle Dentistry; Sony noise cancelling headphones from Bernicks Pepsi; $100 gift certificate for the Viking Plaza Mall; a T-shirt from KCLD; and a trophy from All Star Trophies.

•Second place – Amanda Richards, 17, from Alexandria. Two of her song selections included “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat and “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones.

Richards received a $250 certificate from the Bike and Fitness Company; a $50 gift certificate for the Viking Plaza Mall; an MP3 shower radio, a Mall of America gift package; two water park passes for Arrowwood Resort; a T-Shirt from KCLD; and a trophy from All Star Trophies.

•Third place – Jessica Gregg, 17, from Annandale. Two of her song selections were “Fidelity” by Regina Spektor and “No One” by Alisha Keys.

Gregg received a $150 gift certificate from the Bike and Fitness Company; $25 gift certificate for the Viking Plaza Mall; a gumball machine; two water park passes for Arrowwood Resort; T-shirt from KCLD; and a trophy from All Star Trophies.

A panel of three guest judges critiqued the contestants and gave them feedback after each performance.

This year’s judges included:

•David Christman, an actor, singer, producer and musical theater director. He performs nationally with “Theater Off the Cuff.”

•Amy Dahl, a 2008 graduate of Jefferson High School in Alexandria. She is presently attending Augustana College where she is involved with the music programs.

•Jennifer Butler, a 2006 graduate of Minnewaska High School, who was in concert and jazz choir.

Tags: local news, alexandria idol, viking plaza mall, audra jones, amanda richards, jessica gregg, news, kcld, fccnetwork