DelCo Theatre Student Looks to be Next DelCo Idol

22-year-old Katharine Young of Radnor Township has been singing as long as she can remember. Though it took her first music teacher in school to bring the shy youngster out of her shell, and six years of private lessons and classical training throughout middle and high school to help her develop her voice talent, Young has rounded into quite a performer.

And a well-traveled one at that. Young has visited England, Chicago, and Washington D.C. with her church choir, Bryn Mawr Church of the Redeemer. Then when it came time to pick a major for college she decided to take a less musical route. After months of intense study she gave it all up to come back to the arts.

"I felt a piece of me was missing and I missed the arts and I missed being actively engaged in theatre and singing," Young said.

After earning a theatre degree at Delaware County Community College, Young is back on the stage where she belongs and begins competing this week for the title of DelCo Idol.

Young began her college career at Arcadia University and then transferred to University of Pittsburgh to get the feel of a big city school. She tried majoring in communications and psychology, but night after night of research and studying just wasn't for her. She missed the stage.

"You can't do everything in life, there just isn't enough time in the world, so you have to chase the things you are passionate about," she explained.

She returned home and began studying at DCCC with director Stephen Smith. Young's journey back to her dreams has been successful. She feels open to more opportunities and finds the smaller everyday things are more rewarding now that she is pursuing a path she really enjoys.

Before college she constantly sang with her church and was very active in school productions. Young has been in the chorus for a few shows, but jumped into the spotlight to play Lucy in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown and had a solo in West Side Story. She has also done a few non-musical plays; in fact her ideal role is Lady Macbeth. Young is fascinated with the dynamics with Shakespearean drama. Despite the age of the scripts, she feels the text is still relatable today without changing the words.

Additionally, during the DelCo Idol competition she will be rehearsing for And The World Goes Roundat DCCC.

Young also has special place in her heart for musical childhood favorites such as Disney's princesses even though she may be a little too old.

"It makes my heart all warm and happy," she laughed.

Young also associates with the Disney sound because it falls somewhere between the classical and operatic styles her training stems from.

As a newcomer to DelCo Idol, she has been picking up tips and learning the  "unspoken rules" from friends who have braved the competition before. One of her other challenges is getting back in touch with her musical theatre roots since she hasn't sung in that vein for a few years.

She auditioned strong with a power ballad from Wicked star, Idina Menzel's solo album. For this upcoming first week of competition she has about five songs in mind and still has to decide upon one.

"I am still going to be true to myself and sings songs that I am comfortable with and songs that I enjoy."

Young feels honored to be given a shot at the title and to be able to shine at a theatre that is so well known in the locally. She is a little nervous, but plans to take it one round at a time.

"Really talented people can get eliminated because they have a bad week or they're sick. If I make it through the first round I will feel that I have done well. It's all relative of course, I want to advance as far in the competition as possible, but if I make I through the first round it will be a really big sigh of relief. For me, that [means] I will be recognized enough to move forward with added confidence."

If she wins she hopes to use some of the prize money to celebrate with her friends and family. Maybe even rent out a karaoke lounge.

"Whether or not you are good at it, singing is such a release of emotions and stress anyone can benefit from it. "

Young is in a good place right now, fulfilling her dreams and advancing in her theatre career, but she is only at the beginning of her journey

"Everyone needs to do something everyday that scares them. If we all did things only because we were comfortable with them, I don't think we would live great big lives or achieve very much. Enjoy it."