Two head to singing competition

Two Huntington Beach youths will be among the finalists to perform in the finale of the OC Icon annual solo vocal competition at the Long Beach Carpenter Center on Sept. 19.

Auditions have taken place all over Southern California. Thirty finalists were culled from a field of 200 semifinalists at a recent semifinal competition.

Cole Fletcher, 12, has been performing for the last five years, and studies opera. He and fellow finalist Kadi Ellis, 16, attend Orange County High School of the Arts.

One winner from each of the three age divisions will be chosen by a combination vote of scores from the celebrity judging panel and ballots cast by the live theater audience. All audience members will cast votes for all three age divisions.

The three winners will each receive an identical prize package including professional voice coaching, a two-song professional CD and custom song; photo session; and a music video.

— Candice Baker