Live Lamorinda Idol returns to Orinda Community Park
By Sora O'Doherty
Cassidy Semsky Photo Sora O'Doherty
Although the Lamorinda Idol finals were scheduled to return to the Orinda Theatre, unfortunate circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organizers to make a last minute change. Organizers rapidly changed the venue to the Orinda Community Park, setting up a performance space, complete with excellent sound equipment, right on the grass, with portable canopies providing shade for both performers and audience members during the warm sunny day on Saturday, Aug. 14.
Following a long day of competition, the final awards were announced beginning at 7 p.m. Cassidy Semsky won for her performance of "Shy" in the kindergarten to second grade solo category. Miranda Klein took the top award in the grades three to five solo for her rendition of "Popular," and Sadie Poole won the top honor for middle school solos with "Alyssa Greene" while the high school award went to Alec Home, who performed "Evermore."
Miranda Klein and Anna Tanner took the K-5 group award for "What Is This Feeling/For Good."
Svea Peterson and Sadie Poole won the top honors for a middle school group with "Wondering," and the high school group award went to Neija Ackdoe-Pagey and Lleyton Allen for their rendition of "California Dreaming."
Closing out the competition, Alexis Lee took the audience award for "Beautiful." It was Lee's third Idol competition and her first win. She vowed to return.
Established in 2006, Lamorinda Idol is a singing program open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade who either attend school or reside in Contra Costa County. Singers may enter as soloists or in groups. Students from outside Contra Costa County are permitted to participate in the group categories, provided that at least one member of the group meets the residential requirement. The 2021 competition ran from April through August. The competition is a labor of love and involves a huge number of volunteers. The Lamorinda Weekly is one of the sponsors of the competition.
Neija Ackdoe-Pagey and Lleyton Allen Photo Sora O'Doherty
Sadie Poole and Svea Peterson Photo Sora O'Doherty
Miranda Klein and Anna Tanner Photo Sora O'Doherty
Following a long day of competition, the final awards were announced beginning at 7 p.m. Cassidy Semsky won for her performance of "Shy" in the kindergarten to second grade solo category. Miranda Klein took the top award in the grades three to five solo for her rendition of "Popular," and Sadie Poole won the top honor for middle school solos with "Alyssa Greene" while the high school award went to Alec Home, who performed "Evermore."
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA