CU will showcase its local talent through its own version of “American Idol.”
On Friday, 10 finalists will show off their singing skills for the chance to win $1,000. The event will run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Glenn Miller Ballroom, and students must bring their iclickers to vote.
Some of the contestants sat down with the CU Independent to talk about school, life and of course, music.
Rani Novini, 22-year-old continuing education student
CU Independent: When did you first start singing?
Novini: I didn’t start singing until I was a senior in high school. I had done acting for a while and wanted to be in a musical. I tried out and got the lead for [the musical]“Crazy for You.” After that it just took off. I joined the choir and ended up studying journalism and vocal performance at American University.
CUI: What song did you audition with?
Novini: “Feeling Good” by Michael Simone.
CUI: Why did you choose that song?
Novini: It has a jazzy, classical feel to it.
CUI: What will you be singing on Friday night?
Novini: I will be singing and playing the piano for “Hometown Glory,” by Adele and a cover of Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You.” If I make it to the final round I will sing “Telephone” by Lady Gaga.
CUI: What do you do when you aren’t singing?
Novini: Currently I am preparing for the Miss Colorado competition; I hope to use one of these songs in the talent portion. I also am obsessed with cooking and can’t live without Sushi or Persian food.
Emily Koeppel, 20-year-old integrative physiology major
CUI: When was your first on-stage performance?
Koeppel: My first actual performance was at a talent show in first grade; I sang a Michelle Branch song. When I was little I loved to sing all the time and there is even a video of me singing “God Bless America,” while telling my sister to be quiet.
CUI: Which song did you decide to audition with this time?
Koeppel: I auditioned with “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. I love her style of music, and can’t get enough of her soulful vibe.
CUI: Who is your biggest inspiration, in terms of singing?
Koeppel: I would have to say I draw most of my inspiration from artists like Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin and of course Alicia Keys.
CUI: If you turned your iPod on right now what song would be playing?
Koeppel: Currently “Say it Ain’t So” by Weezer.
CUI: Sticking with the music theme, what is your top Karaoke song?
Koeppel: It has to be “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.
Sezen Onat, 20-year-old economics and integrated physiology double-major
CUI: How did you get into singing?
Onat: I was in fifth grade at a Karaoke party and sang, “Stop in the Name of Love” by The Supremes. After that I joined band for two years but switched to choir in high school. I then joined the CU a cappella group, “On the Rocks,” in Fall 2008.
CUI: What songs do you plan on singing on Friday?
Onat: I will be singing “Ain’t too Proud to Beg” by The Temptations and hopefully “Last Name” by Carrie Underwood.
CUI: What is your favorite part about performing?
Onat: I almost completely lose myself; most of the time I don’t even remember performing. [It is] kind of like an out of body experience.
CUI: What is your favorite song?
Onat: “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. It is very distinct, and has a very uplifting positive message.
David Digioia, 20-year-old communication major
CUI: What got you into music?
Digioia: I actually started playing guitar 11 years ago, and didn’t start writing music or singing until my freshman year in high school when I joined a songwriter’s workshop. The workshop helped me stay motivated because we met once a week.
CUI: What will you be performing on Friday night?
Digioia: I will actually be singing my own songs. One of them will even be an a cappella rap song I am working on.
CUI: When you aren’t writing music, what do you do with your free time?
Digioia: What free time? Well, aside from studying, I just started a blog where I post updates about my shows and try to chronicle my experiences.
CUI: Where do you get your inspiration?
Digioia: Life experiences really. I have been using vocabulary from my communications courses in some of my lyrics.
CUI: What is your favorite song and why?
Digioia: Right now? “Never Called You Crazy,” by Galactic. I literally have it stuck in my head all the time.
Beau Wolsky, 20-year-old integrated physiology major
CUI: When did you start singing?
Wolsky: Well I have always been big into singing in the shower, and I was in a few musicals in middle school. My only actual training was an introduction class in vocal performance that I took here at CU.
CUI: Is this your first time performing?
Wolksy: Yes, I haven’t ever performed in front of people before on my own. But the songs I have picked have real personal meaning for me so I will be able to really put myself into it.
CUI: What songs will you be singing?
Wolksy: I will be singing “Daughters” by John Mayer, “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble, and I hope “My Funny Valentine” by [Frank] Sinatra.
CUI: What song is playing on your iPod right now?
Wolksy: Honestly? “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You),” that song by Enrique Iglesias. I listen to almost anything, except rap and screamo.
Satya Chavez, 18-year-old theater major
CUI: When did you start singing?
Chavez: I’ve been singing since I was three-years-old. My parents decided to put me in voice lessons once they saw me singing along with the radio and I started training when I was seven. I really love singing, and I just grew up with it.
CUI: What was your audition song?
Chavez: “Grenade” by Bruno Marz; I am actually singing it in the competition. It is actually a “Grenade” and “Umbrella” mash-up.
CUI: What is your favorite part about performing?
Chavez: My favorite part of the music process in general is the audition. I love the audition process because you get such a rush with your adrenaline pumping.
CUI: Do you sing in the shower?
Chavez: Yes I do, and I live in the dorms. I actually bring my portable speakers and play music in the shower so everyone knows when I am showering.
Tayler Bledsoe, music composition and film studies double-major
CUI: What song is playing on your iPod right now?
Bledsoe: “In My Arms” by Jon Foreman.
CUI: What did you audition with?
Bledsoe: “Mercy” by Duffy, I am actually singing it in the competition. I am also singing “Something to Talk About” by Bonnie Raitt and “Medina,” a song I wrote on the guitar.
CUI: Do you sing karaoke?
Bledsoe: Yes actually. One time I was singing karaoke and the producer for The Fray was in the audience and he asked me to record a demo with him in New York. It was such a great experience.
CUI: What is your favorite part about performing?
Bledsoe: I actually view my singing as a gift to the audience. It’s no longer just about me but more about the audience and connecting with the song on a deeper level together
You can watch these CU Idols perform on Friday and vote for your favorite using your iclicker. Admission is free and it starts at 7 p.m. in the Glenn Miller Ballroom.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Maranda Bodas at Maranda.bodas@colorado.edu.
