Think You Can Sing? Here's How to Get on American Idol

SPOTSWOOD, N.J. - Feb. 24, 2015 - PRLog -- Central NJ is all a buzz with East Brunswick resident Jax Cole making the top 24 on American Idol. "We're routing for her and think she has what it takes" says Melody Stevens, owner of Academy of Music and Dance in Spotswood, NJ. "She's got the whole package. And, while Jax did study voice at the Academy for two years as a preteen, the credit truly goes to Jax and her father for Jax's success."

In recent seasons, two of Academy of Music and Dance's teen students (coincidently East Brunswick residents) Karen Hardy and Jacqueline Giancola made it through the preliminary rounds of The X Factor and America's Got Talent respectively. They both got to audition for the producers, but were cut right before going on TV.

Stevens says that from listening to these students' experiences and more over the years, it's clear that getting past the producers goes beyond the bare minimum of having the talent, training, and handing in the paperwork to book the first audition.

Here's some advice:

MAKE SURE YOU ENTERTAIN BEYOND SINGING: Hardy, who auditioned for The X Factor, noticed that almost everyone the producers sent through had either a tragic story to tell (as in American Idol, Jax has her father and his experience with 9/11) or the producers let those with a quirky personality go through. Or, as with Giancola's experience with the America's Got Talent auditions, a gimmick can take you far.
Giancola sang opera (fully clothed) and was ultimately beat out by an opera singer who stripped down to a bikini.

LISTEN TO OPINIONS ON WHAT NOT TO SING: Hardy says that her teachers at Academy of Music and Dance were telling her that a song she wanted to sing wasn't great for her. But, that was the song she wound up singing at her last audition. She thinks that might have been what did her in.

DON'T LET YOURSELF GET RATTLED: Stevens says that students have reported having to sing in the preliminary rounds of these auditions simultaneously with other auditionees, in booths separated from one another only by a curtain. Also, Hardy reported that a producer she was auditioning for took cell phone calls while she was singing for him. In addition, you might be standing outside in line in freezing cold weather, but you have to look like you're having fun when the TV cameras come around. All of these things would be enough to rattle most people, but you can't let them throw you off.

GET A LOOK: "Jax has got a unique image, including a cool hair style and a face tattoo" says Stevens. "This makes her visually memorable for people and gives her an edge." Make sure you get a great image consultant who knows the industry and go from there.

Contact: Melody Stevens
Phone: 732-251-3050 (office)
Email: academyofmusicnj@gmail.com
Www.academyofmusicanddancenj.com