Newark's Israel Hernandez wins Watchung Arts Center's NJ IDOL 2014 Vocal Competition

The Watchung Arts Center concluded the exciting NJ IDOL 2014 Vocal Competition, for New Jersey residents ages 15 – 29 years of age, on Saturday, March 1, 2014. 

The contest which began with auditions in February was narrowed to 20 vocalists who moved on to two nights of semi-finals. Contestants traveled from Berkeley Heights, Clark, Green Brook, Hamilton, Jersey City, Linden, Madison, Manalapan, Middletown, Millburn, Monmouth Junction, Newark, North Brunswick, Princeton, Sicklerville, Tinton Falls, Warren and West Orange to vie for ten slots in the final round. Due to a tie during the first round of semi-finals, eleven finalists were chosen. Finalists included :  Kasia Bzdyra, Linden; Lindsay Cherin, Manalapan; Emma DiMaio, Berkeley Heights; Simran George, Warren ; Israel Hernandez, Newark ; Caroline Hoynowski, Clark; Kandace Moore, West Orange; Christina Nini, Princeton; Sara Pike, Madison; Bethsaida Ramos, Jersey City; and Elizabeth Stein, Berkeley Heights.

The show opened with a guest performance by Danielle Bellomo of East Hanover, the winner of the Watchung Arts Center’s NJ IDOL 2013.

The finalists then each performed a three-minute selection. After being treated to an amazing collection of songs, the audience was given the difficult job of voting for their three favorites of the night.  This audience vote, in combination with the scoring by three judges, moved Kasia Bzdyra, Israel Hernandez and Christina Nini to the next round to sing for the following prizes:

1st Prize:  $500 cash prize provided by the Watchung Arts Center.

2nd Prize: 2 Hour recording session with S.R.A. Studios of Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

3rd Prize:  Formal publicity portrait with photography done by Nancy Ori in Berkeley Heights.

After a guest performance by 2012 NJ IDOL winner, Jessie Villa of Mendham, the top three finalists each presented a second song. The judges, recording artist Lisa Coppola, Entertainment Attorney Lou Takacs, Esq., and Songwriter/Producer/Manager Mark D. Conklin retired to choose the winner and runners-up.

After deliberating and comparing their final scores, the judges announced that Israel Hernandez was the NJ IDOL 2014 winner, with Christina Nini as the first runner-up and Kasia Bzdyra the second runner-up.

Both the Watchung Arts Center and the judges would like to congratulate ALL the gifted vocalists who participated in the 2014 NJ IDOL as well as the volunteers without whom this event would not be possible.  Volunteers included Jim Longo – MC and WAC Trustee;  Ellen Schwartz – Host; Tim Higgins – Sound Engineer; Eddie Cologna—Videographer; Sean Quinn - Volunteer; Diane Semmling – Volunteer; Bim Semmling – Student Volunteer; and Helena Yang – Student Volunteer; as well as Watchung Arts Center Trustees  Pam Singh,  Ludmila Kalivoda, Florence Larkin,  Dave Haupt – Creator & Producer, WAC Trustee; and Joe Higgins- WAC Office Manager

This event is not associated or affiliated with American Idol, its sponsors, producers or participants.

The Watchung Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary arts facility serving Watchung and the surrounding communities and the Tri-State Area.  For more information visit our website at www.watchungarts.org or email at wacenter@optonline.net.  The Watchung Arts Center is located at 18 Stirling Road, Watchung, NJ  07069.