Taylor lee gets a hug from her family. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Taylor Hildack remembers the day last summer at Foxborough’s Gilette Stadium, when she was chosen out of thousands to take a walk to meet some very important people.
Moments later, she was introduced to Ryan Seacrest, host of “American Idol”, the hit program that has captivated and inspired aspiring singers the world over, who then informed her that she would be moving on to the next round of auditions to earn a trip to Hollywood for the right to be crowned “American Idol.”
While she didn’t advance past that third round of auditions in Boston, Hildack, 20, has positive memories of her entire Idol experience, which culminated with an appearance on the program’s Season 13 premiere last week.
American Idol contestant Taylor Lee Hildack performs in front of the judges. (www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol)
“I felt like I was dreaming. I was on cloud nine,” said Hildack, daughter of Christine Libardi and Randy Hildack. “I could hear them (the judges) talking, but I could hardly hear them because of the adrenaline.”
She cites jazz luminaries Etta James, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone, along with modern R&B crooners Lana Del Rey and the late Amy Winehouse as inspirations, and showcased her versatility by belting James’ immortal “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and Idol alum Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” for Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick, Jr.
Taylor speeks with Ryan Seacrest at the American Idol audition. (Photo submitted)
“We went through the registration in September at Gilette when a producer came up to her and asked her if she could sing,” said Taylor’s father. “So she sang for him, and he gave her a green sticker.”
Randy Hildack went on to explain the exhilaration at hearing his daughter’s name the next day over the stadium loudspeakers, and promptly being led to meet Seacrest.
Following the initial audition in Foxborough, Taylor Hildack went on to the next audition and then the regional final, both held this time at Boston’s Marriot Hotel.
Taylor with grandparents Rosalie and Ray West. (Photo submitted)
“When Taylor was little, she’d sing all the time in the car,” her dad said proudly. “She started taking singing lessons at a young age, and has been singing ever since. She won talent shows, won a scholarship to the Community School of Music in Springfield, where she performed with the Avery Sharp Trio.”
Graduating from Westfield High School in 2011, Taylor was a member of the WHS Jazz Ensemble and cites her instructor Patrick Kennedy as a big influence on her musical aspirations.
“He made me realize you have to feel the music, to understand the lyrics,” she said. “He also got me into scatting and improvisation.”
In addition to Kennedy, Hildack cites a slew of instructors, friends and family as influences and inspirations, including her brother Tyler, 23, a session guitarist who is currently leading an effort to bring another recording studio to the city.
“People like Ellen Cogen, Bob Ferrier, Peter Thompson, and Pat,” she said of several Holyoke Community College music professors and instructors who’ve helped her along the way.
Taylor Lee and Tyler Hildack. (Photo submitted)
Many musicians seeking fame and fortune sacrifice everything to see their name in lights, but Hildack is looking to establish a safety net should her musical dreams not materialize.
“I’ve been accepted to the Berklee College of Music in Boston,” she said, admitting she still is unsure what path she wishes to take as far as course study. “I want to do either Music Education and Performance, or Music Therapy.”
Despite only earning a vote from J-Lo at the Marriot, Hildack said that not advancing to Hollywood, while the obvious aspiration for every Idol contestant, isn’t everything to her.
“I don’t mind if I don’t get all the way,” she said. “To get recognized and to be a part of the competition will help me grow as a singer and as a person. Not everyone gets to Hollywood in their first audition.”
“She was very professional when they told her to come back next year,” Randy Hildack said of the Idol experience last fall. “Hey, it took Carrie Underwood a few auditions to make it.”
Taylor is confident that the Idol judges have not seen the last of her, and that the best is yet to come.
“The next audition is in August, if it’s the same time as last year,” said Hildack, who is currently taking voice lessons from Thompson in Longmeadow, and singing lessons from Janet Ryan of Springfield. “I just want to thank everyone for their support. I will be back.”
Hildack will be performing locally at The Tavern Restaurant tomorrow night.
