Jackie Evancho outdid her past performances on the America's Got Talent stage Tuesday night. That's a tough feat for her to manage, especially at ten years old when you would expect some cracking of the voice or a couple of notes to be off-key. But not for this talented classical crossover sensation. She hit every note with strength, perfection, quality, and beauty.
Jackie Performs "Ave Maria", With Conviction
Performing one of the most difficult songs she could have chosen for her final appearance, she definitely saved the best for last. Singing "Ave Maria", hitting higher notes did not seem to have any effect on Evancho. Her voice flowed up and down the register with confidence, sending chills down those that listened. Each note hit the ears and souls of the audience with the utmost control; something you would expect to hear from a forty year seasoned opera singer.
Jackie Takes Voice Lessons
After seeing the "Phantom of the Opera", Jackie began singing. Jackie's parents, Mike and Lisa, hired a local voice coach in their hometown of Richland, Pittsburgh. At age four, she informed her parents she wanted to be a rock star. While not in rock and roll, she is making that dream come true.
Yvie Burnett, voice coach of America's Got Talent, has been working with Jackie over the past three months to make sure she is comfortable on stage.
"What strikes me about [Jackie's voice] is that it's not too heavy", she stated in the Los Angeles Times."You sometimes hear young children, and they're trying too hard. With Jackie, she just opens her mouth and out it comes."
"This is Jackie's Dream and We're Helping her get There"
Her parents helped her develop a You Tube section, covering her home made videos from school performances and singing at home with her brothers, Jacob, 12, and Zachary, 8, along with her sister, Rachel, who is 6. Although family talent is seen in these videos at home, Jackie's voice stands out among them.
Her mother, Lisa, told the Pittsburgh Tribune, "I don't know how we're going to pay the mortgage this month, but this is Jackie's dream and we're helping her get there."
Jackie's parents financially saw their way to self-releasing Jackie's album, Prelude to a Dream. Since her first performance on America's Got Talent, these albums have been selling like wildfire. It's undoubted that Jackie will have a contract after the show, whether through America's Got Talent or through an independent label. In fact, it is not a question as to whether or not young Jackie will ever have to worry about not being able to find a label to carry her contract.
Jackie Evancho Next Superstar?
With this voice, Jackie will indeed be a star. But Jackie and her coach have their work cut out for them. Jackie's coach not only has to work with Jackie in fulfilling the dream, but to make sure her style remains her own and Evancho doesn't simply "imitate" those opera singers she listens to and adores. Children are most likely to imitate those they consider heroes. Developing the voice and creating Jackie's own style is definitely work, but the most important thing is to protect those vocal chords at such a young age. If Jackie and her coach can accomplish this, she will truly be a superstar, for many years to come.
America's Got Talent Finale
Tonight will be the deciding vote on who will win the contest this season on America's Got Talent. With four contestants left, Jackie seems to have America behind her one hundred percent. Although Michael Grimm, a blues singer and contestant, came through with an amazing performance of "When a Man Loves a Woman". His voice proves to be made for the blues genre of music.
Prince Poppycock performed a serious operatic aria last night, which got a "buzz" from Piers Morgan, judge for the talent show. The 32 year old store clerk from Los Angeles, John Quale, creates his own outlandish glittery style costumes, while wearing white pancake make up and glitter above the eyes to match the outfit. His lips are generally painted the brighter colors of his costume and donning false eyelashes that would make Tammy Faye proud, he becomes his character of Prince Poppycock. He has performed everything from "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandee," beneath his red, white, and blue "Uncle Sam in Vegas" clothing to his blue and white "Captain" uniform, singing Queen tune, "Bohemian Rhapsody". He would definitely fit the bill of Vegas acts, but while he is popular with American voters, he is still not the favorite.
College students donned in white hoodies and sweatpants, perform acts underneath black light, giving one the illusion that they are not held back by gravity, are the fourth contestants left in the show. "Fighting Gravity" has illuminated audiences for weeks in the competition, becoming one of the most popular of acts. While they are popular, landing them in the final four, the competition is difficult this year with acts like Evancho.
Tonight will prove one way or another which of these final four acts will be going to Vegas. While three will not win, they will have futures in their defined talents. The season held many talents, above the usual performances in America's Got Talent. The final three will make their way on the paths to their dreams. All are talented, all are worthy of the title.
