By Sol Ayala & Claudia Villeda
Online Media Writer | Online Media Manager
Trojan Idol is Trevecca’s annual singing competition where audience members vote for a contestant to move forward until there is one winner.
“I want events to be more inclusive,” said Morgan Crocker, ASB director of social life. “One way we’re doing this, it’s really pushing for different genres.”
Music genres will range from folk and country to jazz and R&B and more, confirmed Crocker.
Hosts this year will be ASB Director for Inclusion and Belonging Selah Torralba and Social Justice Adjunct Professor Iris Gordon.
For the first time, we have faculty and students hosting [Trojan Idol], said Croker.
The ten contestants were selected out of 30 student auditions by Director of Student Life Morgan Morris, Crocker and Trojan Idol hosts.
To help prepare the participants, each has been under coaching sessions by Crocker, Morris and senior Dylan Kelly. Crocker encouraged participants to understand the goal is not to win but to have a successful performance. Each contestant rehearsed with the band to shape their performance for the Trojan Idol stage on Tuesday.
Judges this year are singer/songwriter Rachel Nemiroff, talent agent assistant Alanna Peters and The Young Escape Ryan Johns.
Meet your contestants
Kyla Mays:
Age: 20
Major: Music and worship
Mays was encouraged by her friends to audition. Originally, Trojan Idol was outside Mays’ comfort zone, as her only stage experience had been with leading worship. Mays has been influenced by music since a young age because of her mother and grandfather.
“I wouldn’t be here at Trevecca if it weren’t for music and my calling to worship ministry,” said Mays. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to challenge myself this way.”
Patrick Hatcher
Age: 19
Major: Economics
As a non-music major participant, Hatcher stands out from other contestants.
“I wanted to challenge myself,” said Hatcher. “Music is everything to me. It is intertwined with every aspect of my life.”
Payton Lane
Age: 21
This will be Lane’s second time on the Trojan Idol stage.
“I had a lot of fun last year and I wanted to go and have a good time again,” said Lane.
From a way to express his feelings to practicing his dance moves in the mirror every morning, Lane is ready to give the audience a good show. Win or lose, I’m excited to have a good time during my last semester here, said Lane.
Kollin Bailey
Age: 22
Major: Music Business
This is Bailey’s second time making it into the top 10 contestants. Due to Covid, he had to step out of the competition last year.
“I’m really looking forward to playing,” said Bailey. “I’m excited to see how the crowd interacts and to play with my peers. They are so talented so I’m excited.”
Rebekah Veliz
Age: 20
Major: Commercial Music
Singing and songwriting have been a creative outlet for Veliz to express herself. She hopes to inspire others the way the artist she looks up to has inspired her.
“You can look forward to my unique interpretation and take on songs you may already know and some that you haven’t heard,” said Veliz. “I don’t know where I would be without music.”
Heidi Jackson
Age: 21
Major: Commercial Music and Theory and Composition
Jackson says that she wouldn’t have auditioned if it weren’t for the support of her friends.
“I am preparing by practicing my songs every day and by drinking lots of water and tea to make sure my voice is healthy,” she said.
Music has gotten Jackson through the hardest points in her life.
After graduation, Jackson wants to pursue a career in music with her degrees in commercial music and theory and composition.
Kolby Criddle
Age: 21
Major: Music Business
As a first-generation student, Criddle’s goal of being the first in his family to get a bachelor’s degree has been an important achievement for him. As a way to prove and challenge himself to always do the best that he can, Criddle decided to audition for Trojan Idol.
“I knew this year would be the last year I’d have this opportunity,” said Criddle.
His music has been an outlet for relieving stress since he started his musical journey. He takes great inspiration from artists like Lake Street Dive, LOONY, H.E.R. and Yebba.
Ariana Crefeld – “Aria”
Choose not to respond to e-mail questions
Katelynn Dickhens
Choose not to respond to e-mail questions
Thomas Larsen
Choose not to respond to e-mail questions
Trojan Idol will last from 7 to 9 p.m. both nights. Entrance this year is first come first serve for seating at Boone Convocation Center. Check the SGA official Instagram for more information.
