Aaron Kelly to Judge Local Talent Contest and Perform Options

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Columbia County -- Aaron Kelly spent part of 2010 being judged by celebrities on American Idol, but now he'll judge "First Columbia Teen Star" along with Eyewitness News anchor Kyla Campbell. Kelly will also perform for the crowd!

The talent competition is open to Columbia County high school students. Some plan to sing, others will perform instrumental solos, and some bands have signed up, too. The competition is sponsored by First Columbia Bank & Trust.

"We saw the success of Aaron Kelly on American Idol last year, and we thought it would be great to give local students a chance to showcase their talent," said Lance Diehl, the bank's president and CEO.

Auditions this weekend and the last weekend of April will be judged by local music teachers, including Millville's choral director, Carolyn Sweeney.

"There are a lot of talented students who aren't in band or chorus," said Sweeney. "This really gives them a chance to get out in the spotlight."

She and the other audition judges will whittle dozens of applicants down to just ten. Then, on Sunday, May 22, Aaron Kelly, Kyla Campbell, and a music professor from Bloomsburg University will judge the finalists at the Haas Center on the college's campus. The winner of the competition gets $2,500, and there are prizes for the runners-up totaling another $2,500.

Even if you don't live in Columbia County or know someone competing, someone else is performing -- Aaron Kelly will entertain the crowd with a few songs! Tickets will cost just $3, and the winner of the competition chooses a local nonprofit group to get the proceeds.