MHS senior among top divas in singing contest

Posted: Jan. 31, 2012

With each contestant's name called, working up to the winner of the 2012 Diva Quest, Mukwonago High School senior Ali Beisbier's anticipation grew as she remained standing on the risers. Out of 10 young female singers chosen as finalists, five would receive scholarships in the competition designed to help young women cultivate their vocal skills while emphasizing and promoting personal growth and self-confidence.

"I thought my name would be called any minute," Beisbier said.

Less than an hour earlier she had been standing alone on stage singing "Danny Boy." She felt confident that she had done well, choosing to sing the Eva Cassidy version of the traditional Irish song instead of the classical version she has sung since seventh grade.

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"I felt it was the best I've ever done on that song," said Beisbier, who picked the song because it suits her voice and her grandmother is Irish.

Backstage at Waterford High School on Saturday night, sound system problems made for a nerve-wracking wait as Beisbier waited for six contestants to perform before it was her turn in the Diva Quest vocal scholarship competition for high-school aged women. Beisbier was the only one using a corded microphone. Could they fix it if something went wrong, she wondered?

Young female singers from throughout Southeasten Wisconsin auditioned for finalist spots in the competition. Patterned after "American Idol," open auditions are held in November, according to www.riverportchorus.org.

Beisbier submitted a song she sang for MHS Choral Department's Night on Broadway, as well as a recording of "Danny Boy." After learning she was chosen among the 10 finalists, Beisbier started rehearsals for Diva Quest about a month ago, juggling time with rehearsals for the MHS musical "Charlie Brown" where she plays Lucy.

The show's organizers, Sue Nelson and Lisa Mushel worked with the singers to prepare them for the show.

"They've been a really great help. They gave us lots of instruction," said Beisbier. "They were ecstatic when they heard us sing."

Each contestant performs one song and is judged by a panel of four judges critiquing each performance for song choice, intonation, tone flow, vocal style and visual presentation.

Beisbier, who has performed in several MHS musicals and choral productions, as well as trying out for "American Idol," said Diva Quest held a "different energy." While casts in musicals form a family bond, the divas became a sisterhood, each helping the other throughout the competition, Beisbier explained.

"The girls are all amazing," she said. "We're so unique. There are no two voices that can be compared and then you have our song choices."

Competing against performances of some modern songs, Beisbier's nerves faded as she stepped into the bright stage light. Gently, soulfully singing the tender version of the traditional Irish song that Beisbier said, "really captures Danny Boy," the hushed audience hung on each note before exploding into applause as Beisbier left the stage.

As the competition ended, Beisbier nervously smiled from the risers, waiting to hear her name as the announcer revealed the judges' decision. Finally she stood with only one other contestant, waiting to hear the next name announcing second place and revealing the winner of the $1,000 scholarship for the first-place singer.

"I knew she would be my competition," Beisbier recalled. "She sang so well."

Smiling as her name was called for the second-place winner, Beisbier crossed the stage to receive flowers and a $250 scholarship.

"I wasn't upset that I didn't take first," said Beisbier. "It was an honor to take second. I was happy because I had worked so hard."

Visit our website to view more pictures of the event.