Great Neck Singer Eliminated on 'The Voice'

Great Neck's Michelle Raitzin was eliminated this week from the reality singing talent show "The Voice." 

Coaches began trimming teams from 12 to eight artists by selecting two of their team members to sing in a duet performance that would end with one team member being eliminated.

Paired by her coach Blake Shelton, Raitzin sang a duet of the song "Blown Away" with teammate Holly Tucker in the "knockout round" which aired Monday on NBC.  Tucker was chosen to advance.

In defeat, Raitzin, 21, a self-proclaimed pop-soul-rock artist, said although disappointed, she had the experience of a lifetime while taping the show.

"I'm definitely bummed because I would have liked to continue, but I learned so much about being an artist," said Raitzin to Patch on Tuesday. "I feel really proud to represent my hometown."

Raitzin, a Berkley College of Music student, said her appearance has opened new opportunities for her to continue on with her singing career, including work on a new single in Los Angeles in the coming weeks.

During blind auditions, Raitzin was picked by Shelton after performing the song, “Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts.

As a junior at Great Neck South in 2010, Raitzin won $10,000 for her school by finishing first in WOR radio's "Shining Star" competition.

Raitzin said the number one thing she learned from her experience on "The Voice" was determination.

"If you put your mind to anything, you can do it," said Raitzin.