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JOPLIN, Mo. —
Girard High School senior McKenzie Vulgamore will get to fulfill one of her life-long goals this week.
On Wednesday, 17-year-old Vulgamore will try out for a spot on American Idol when judges come to Landreth Park in Joplin, Mo.
For the first time, judges are going on the road in the “American Idol Small Town Audition Bus Tour,” a trip that stops in ten towns for a day each.
Traveling to the stadium auditions in bigger cities was always a problem for Vulgamore, and the Joplin stop gave an opportunity she always wanted.
“I never really thought about traveling to where the auditions were being held, but this one is only about an hour away, Vulgamore said, adding that she plans to sing “Hurt,” by Christina Aguilera or “Skyscraper,” by Demi Lovato.
“I’m stuck between the two,” she said.
Vulgamore said she’s been singing since she was a child and describes her voice as hybrid mix of Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. She said she doesn’t have a choir voice, but that she sings in her room while playing guitar at home.
“I don’t really have that and I don’t really want that,” she said. “I sing in church. It’s so enjoyable and everyone loves it. I have always loved singing. It’s been one of my passions.”
Vulgamore will be singing a pop song for the judges, but said her repertoire includes everything from Country to Christian and a host of others in between.
“I can pretty much sing everything,” she said.
Making the feat more impressive is the fact that Vulgamore has never taken formal singing lessons.
“I just have a passion for it,” she said.
Vulgamore said she’s not going to study music in college because the music industry is so difficult to get into.
Instead, she plans to follow in her sister’s footsteps and study radiography at Labette County Community College after she graduates from high school in May.
“It’s just really interesting to me to see the inside of the body and see how everything works,” Vulgamore said. “I’m taking two anatomy and physiology this classes this year to prepare myself.”
For all her confidence, Vulagore said she “definitely” gets nervous when she thinks about her audition.
“They decide whether I go on or not, and it’s my dream and I don’t want to get crushed,” she said. “It’s been my dream for so long and I’m finally doing it and I’m proud of myself.”
Girard High School senior McKenzie Vulgamore will get to fulfill one of her life-long goals this week.
On Wednesday, 17-year-old Vulgamore will try out for a spot on American Idol when judges come to Landreth Park in Joplin, Mo.
For the first time, judges are going on the road in the “American Idol Small Town Audition Bus Tour,” a trip that stops in ten towns for a day each.
Traveling to the stadium auditions in bigger cities was always a problem for Vulgamore, and the Joplin stop gave an opportunity she always wanted.
“I never really thought about traveling to where the auditions were being held, but this one is only about an hour away, Vulgamore said, adding that she plans to sing “Hurt,” by Christina Aguilera or “Skyscraper,” by Demi Lovato.
“I’m stuck between the two,” she said.
Vulgamore said she’s been singing since she was a child and describes her voice as hybrid mix of Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. She said she doesn’t have a choir voice, but that she sings in her room while playing guitar at home.
“I don’t really have that and I don’t really want that,” she said. “I sing in church. It’s so enjoyable and everyone loves it. I have always loved singing. It’s been one of my passions.”
Vulgamore will be singing a pop song for the judges, but said her repertoire includes everything from Country to Christian and a host of others in between.
“I can pretty much sing everything,” she said.
Making the feat more impressive is the fact that Vulgamore has never taken formal singing lessons.
“I just have a passion for it,” she said.
Vulgamore said she’s not going to study music in college because the music industry is so difficult to get into.
Instead, she plans to follow in her sister’s footsteps and study radiography at Labette County Community College after she graduates from high school in May.
“It’s just really interesting to me to see the inside of the body and see how everything works,” Vulgamore said. “I’m taking two anatomy and physiology this classes this year to prepare myself.”
For all her confidence, Vulagore said she “definitely” gets nervous when she thinks about her audition.
“They decide whether I go on or not, and it’s my dream and I don’t want to get crushed,” she said. “It’s been my dream for so long and I’m finally doing it and I’m proud of myself.”
Vulgamore said she expects a lot of, and stiff, competition.
Idol judges expect the same, and aren’t announcing audition locations until three days beforehand to keep from being overwhelmed
“But I think that’s going to happen anyway,” Vulgamore laughed.
And what if the judges like what they see and send her to the next round?
“Ohmygoodness,” Vulgamore exclaimed. “That would mean the world to me. It’s been my dream just to get to try out, and to go to the next round would be amazing!”
— Nikki Patrick is on vacation. Staff writer Will Klusener filled in for her on this story.
