This years’ Teen Idol competition kicks off

Patty Piccinonno has been performing since he was 11 years-old. He is now 18, has recently graduated from high school, and is looking very much forward to attending Marymount Manhattan College in the fall. Piccinonno was the prince in his “Cinderella” show in grammar school, and has been in musical theater since the age of three.

The Marine Park resident, and his mom, Donna Piccinonno, made their way to Bay Ridge on Thursday, June 28, so Patty could audition for the second annual Bay Ridge Community Council’s Teen Idol competition.

The first of two auditions took place in St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church Hall for students between the ages of 13 to 18.

Piccinonno’s love for music has given him the courage to participate in the singing contest, as well as his mother’s 100 percent support for what he does. “I don’t see myself doing anything else,” he exclaimed.

Twenty finalists will be chosen for the finale, which will take place on Saturday, September 15, at Xaverian High in front of a live audience.

The contestants will be mentored through the months of July and August “into their best of their abilities,” according to Dawn Barry Hansen, one of the three judges for the June 28 audition.

The other two judges were Maria Roldan and Ann Gubiotti. All have musical backgrounds.

Justin Brannon, Ethan Wagner and Eileen Monihan were the judges for the second audition, June 29.

The judges were welcoming and “as kind as possible” to the contestants, who each got 90 seconds to show what they had to offer, singing “a cappella” (with no musical instruments, recordings etc.).

Piccinonno sang “Dancing through life,” from “Wicked,” while Nicolette Shin, 17, a soon-to-be senior at Fontbonne Hall Academy, nervously waited for the chance to perform.

“I love theater,” Shin said. “There is so much passion in musical theater. When you’re on stage, everything goes away and you get caught up in that unique moment.” Shin also said that she finds it very relaxing.

The 20 winners will get an opportunity to perform in front of an audience individually in the finale, as well as work with a group of people and prepare a group number.

“It’s a nice process,” said Karen Tadross, the producer/director at Jeff Samaha Theater Productions/Ridge Chorale, as she explained the love that these contestants have for each other. “They cheer each other on,” she added, despite the fact that this is a competition.

They will be guided throughout the summer and told which one of the two genres of songs, they sing better.

All proceeds will be given to the Kassenbrock Brothers Memorial Scholarship Fund, benefiting high school students with a record of documented community service who are heading to college.

The finale winner will receive a $500 prize, and a fan favorite will be selected, with the audience getting to judge. The fan favorite will receive a $100 cash award.