Bakersfield's 'American Idol' finalist gives back with youth singing camp

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By Sabrina Rodriguez, Eyewitness News

Summary

Bakersfield native and "American Idol" finalist Amy Adams is committed to helping Kern County youth. She held auditions for a special singing camp that truly gives back.

Story Created: Aug 2, 2009 at 12:43 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 3, 2009 at 11:01 AM PDT

Bakersfield's 'American Idol' finalist gives back with youth singing camp
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Many people dream about making it big, but they don't know how to get there or even what to expect if they do. That's a situation that Bakersfield teens Taylor Dunn and Danielle Darling know all too well.

"Being able to make other people happy with your singing is awesome," said Dunn.

"I really feel like it's my calling to be an actress," said Darling. "To be this triple-threat of dancing, acting and singing. I'm just going to get my foot in the door any way I can."

But as a teen living in Bakersfield it can be hard to know what steps to take, which is why they want to learn from someone who's already walked that path.

Bakersfield native Amy Adams launched her music career when she became a Top 10 "American Idol" finalist during the show's third season. While Adams loves music, her priority is giving back.

"What I'm trying to do is come back into this community, find kids like me, and show them they can do anything they want," Adams explained.

A special singing camp this summer is helping her do just that.

"I've originated a concept called 'Play It Forward,'" said Adams. "It's so easy to learn from someone and (who says), 'This is what you sing. This is how you do Do-Re-Mi,' but how important is it to learn the actual backside? This is the kind of person you need to be if you're out there in the limelight."

While there will be plenty of tips, techniques and lessons to learn when the camp starts, the teens got a taste of it during the auditions.

Adams told one aspiring singer, "Celebrate what you are, celebrate who you are, and never think about what you are not."

And her words are already having an impact.

"I was extremely nervous and I think (Amy) could tell," Darling said of he audition. "So (Amy) said to just go for the note and attack it."

After getting some advice from Adams, Taylor said, "I felt pretty comfortable in there, like I can do this, I got this."

Only a few teens will be chosen for the camp, and Adams says she's looking for, "Real people who have natural talent and we're going to help them, we're going to help them in every single way that we can."

The singing camp is a partnership between Garden Pathways, American Sound Recording Studios and Amy Adams. The camp runs from Aug. 10-14.

After the camp ends, Adams will be kept busy with the release of her new country album in September.