City of Dublin Announces the Winners of 'Dublin Idol'

Announcement, photos submitted by City of Dublin:

The City of Dublin has announced the winners of its third annual “Dublin Idol” competition.

5th to 8th Grade Winner: Rohan Fonseka

9th to 12th Grade Winner: Amber Knezevic

The winners were crowned at the Dublin Farmers’ Market event on Thursday, July 30, at Emerald Glen Park. Hosted by KKIQ Radio’s Steve Fox, the competition began with a Preliminary Round, involving 24 singers, on July 16. The competition was broken down into two age group categories- 5th through 8th grade students, and 9th through 12th graders.

In the first round, singers were allowed to sing a song of their choice, a cappella, for one minute. Fourteen singers were chosen to move on to the final round of competition.

In the final round on July 30, the singers sang a complete version of their chosen song, with musical accompaniment. The judges for the final round, Dublin councilmember Doreen Wehrenberg, and local performers Kathy Blackburn and Bob Campbell, judged the singers on voice quality and control, and overall stage presence.

Rohan Fonseka sang Queen’s “Love of My Life.” He will soon be an 8th grader grader at Fallon Middle School in Dublin. Amber Knezevic performed “Because of You” by Kelly Clarkson. Amber will be a sophomore at Dublin High School.

KKIQ Radio awarded cash prizes to the top three finishers in each category. The first place winners each received a trophy and a $300 check from KKIQ Radio. The second place winners, Kaitlynn Miguel (8th at Fallon Middle School) and Anne Xavier (a Dublin resident who will be an 11th grader at San Ramon Valley High School), each received $200; and the third place winners, Nimisha Shivaprasad (a 6th grader at Fallon Middle School) and Alicia Tran (a recent graduate of Dublin High), received $100 each.

The “Dublin Idol” winners will be recognized at an upcoming City Council meeting.