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Young singers shine in Glendale Heights Idol

Sounds of pop, rap and country — all sung by local voices — rose above the noise of carnival rides spinning and swirling Saturday as 20 performers vied for the title of Glendale Heights Idol.

A lineup dominated by female soloists sang to a crowd of more than 150 gathered around picnic tables on the south end of the Glendale Heights Fest grounds in Camera Park for the fourth annual singing competition.

Six-year-old Taarushi Subramani of Glendale Heights led off the competition followed by a boy just one year her senior, Ryan Williams of Glendale Heights, who performed as Lil Prophet.

Ryan slid on white-rimmed sunglasses before grabbing the mic like a pro and strutting back and fourth to the beat of his song, “Missions.” It didn't take him long to memorize all the song's lyrics, he said, and when he finished performing, he thought he did well.

As the first Glendale Heights Idol contestants performed their pieces, those waiting in the wings practiced to their mp3 players in a tent behind the stage or chatted nervously about their big moment before the crowd.

“When you get out there, just let yourself go with the music,” 16-year-old Zenia Gomez of Glendale Heights advised fellow singers, 18-year-old twins Meghan and Lauren Ortega of Glendale Heights, before the contest began.

Zenia was back Saturday for her third consecutive appearance in the contest. She captured second place the first time she sang, but said she keeps coming back more for the rush of performing than the chance of winning.

“I honestly love singing and I just like to have fun,” Zenia said. “It's OK if I don't win.”

Zenia didn't place, but Ryan, the Lil Prophet, took second. Heather Dudley, 32, of Glendale Heights, came in third, and 19-year-old Mashall Rizvi of Glendale Heights won for her rendition of Jessie J.'s “Mamma Knows Best.”

Younger performers took the stage first, leading up to Dudley, who closed the contest singing Adele's “Rolling in the Deep.” The sing-off drew 13 contestants from Glendale Heights and others from Addison, Elgin, Joliet, Lombard, Mount Prospect and West Chicago.

For 11-year-old Alexah Viles of Joliet, the contest was her first competitive singing experience. She was nervous but said the sing-off gave her exactly what she was looking for: a chance to get used to the spotlight.

“I wanted a challenge so I could get used to singing and talking in front of people,” she said.

Glendale Heights Idol contestants performed before bands Jamrose and Infinity took the stage later on Saturday. The community festival continues today from noon to 10 p.m.

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