Idol contestant tabbed for July 3 performance
Staff Report ~ 6/23/2010

Chelsea Simonetti, 20, has been selected as the first Anthem Idol and will sing the National Anthem a cappella at the community’s Independence Day Festivities on Saturday, July 3, at the Anthem Community Park. The event draws approximately 15,000 attendees from all over the North Valley.
Simonetti was selected from a pool of almost 40 contestants who performed in front of the following judges: Jackie Hammond, producing artistic director and resident vocal director, Musical Theatre of Anthem; Kevin Kozacek, conductor, ProMusica Arizona Orchestra and Chorale; Paul Towne, founder, On the Towne Community Theatre; Pesephone Dimson, performing artist and owner of Demeter Music Productions; and Rachael Killeen, an AriZoni award-winning actress/singer.
“I went into this hoping for the best and was pretty surprised to get the phone call, since there were so many contestants,” Simonetti said. “I am so honored that I was chosen to sing the National Anthem on July 3.”
Simonetti has been singing professionally since the age of seven and has performed the National Anthem before the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Phoenix Mercury and the Phoenix Suns. She has opened for Sister Sledge’s 10-year reunion and Tony Orlando, and has performed more than 100 times for churches, retirement communities, cities and other facilities. To see Simonetti’s Anthem Idol audition, as well as the auditions of the rest of the Top Five Anthem Idol contestants, please log on to www.onlineatanthem.com/anthem-idol.
“Chelsea’s lyric soprano voice is so pleasing to the ear,” said Anthem Idol judge Jackie Hammond. “She has wonderful technique and a terrific range, which is definitely needed to sing the National Anthem.”
“What I liked most about [Chelsea’s voice] was how clear and perfectly on pitch she sang,” said Anthem Idol judge Kevin Kozacek. “I’m sure that everyone who attends [on July 3] will appreciate how talented she is.”