They found their Star.....

First there were 24 semi-finalists who performed last night at the Clark Center. Approximately 600 guests filled the theatre, and saw some incredible talent. And then there were 10 finalists, and then there were 3. The crowd had found their favorite.

Chelsea performed "Maybe this Time" by Liza Minelli from Caberet. She was on her last verse and my heart was beating out of my chest, her voice was becoming more and more powerful as she worked towards those final HUGE 3 notes.......I overheard my Dad say "I can't even breathe" and then she delivered them. As she hit that last note, the crowd screamed and began applauding madly before she could even finish. You couldn' t even hear her last note completely over the applause. She stood in front of the mike stand and raised her outstretched hands as she belted out those last three notes. She nailed it and she knew it. She was in her element at that moment and had the crowd in the palm of hand. The last 5 words of that song were "maybe this time, I'll win". And then I felt the warm tears roll down my cheeks......that was my baby girl up there, living her dream.

There were five judges, and one that was especially important to Chelsea. He was the casting director of the PCPA (Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts). He was blown away. He told Chelsea that in his role of a casting director, that on the rare occasion that they discover her type of talent, they base their plays around her kind of talent, not the talent to fit the play and she was one of those rare finds. After those words and several more glowing accolades, I don't think Chelsea heard anything after that. She was on cloud 9. She basically had just had her own private audition with the conservatory she had hoped to apply with next January. It doesn't get any better than that.

Chelsea was awarded 3rd place. First place went to an amazing woman who sang her own material and played the guitar, 2nd went to a young man who played piano and does Irish dancing (like River dance). Chelsea was beaming, and we were all so proud.

What a night, what an incredible night. I am still tingling. As soon as I receive the DVD, I will post Chelsea's performance so you too can have goosebumps...

Oh and P.S. American Idol is taking on line auditions this year and Chel plans to try out....