Crafting a career after 'American Idol'

Alexia Van Horn went to Birmingham, Ala. in the summer of 2006 for a chance of a lifetime: auditioning for "American Idol."

The Towson junior mass communication major and marketing minor advanced through the preliminary auditions and had the chance to sing in front of the judges to earn a "golden ticket" to Hollywood.

"When Randy [Jackson], Paula [Abdul], and Simon [Cowell] graced me with the ticket to go to Hollywood, I was ecstatic and I burst through the doors almost knocking over my mom. I really had the chance to be the next American Idol," Van Horn said.

But many don't realize that the competition involves a long process.

Producers take people auditioning section by section in the arena for the two preliminary rounds, which involve singing for about 20 to 30 seconds for different judges who are well known.

"You're with thousands and thousands of people," Van Horn said. "I was there probably for seven hours. You meet a lot of different people from all walks of life. Some people make a lot of friends there. You're all singing, so you all have a common thread."

After Alabama, the auditions continued for Van Horn at the Orpheus Theatre in Los Angeles.

Although Van Horn did not move on, she made it to the top 100 female contestants before being eliminated.

"You can't be hard on yourself," Van Horn said. "I was a little disappointed, obviously. I think it just encouraged me more to keep going. 'American Idol' kick started a lot of things for me."

Following her experience, Van Horn was presented with more opportunities to have her voice heard.

She won a singing competition hosted by 93.1 WPOC to open the annual Sunday in the Country concert at Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, Md. by singing the national anthem.

"Country music is a genre of music I've always liked, but it's something that's new for me," Van Horn said. "I've always thought of being of pop singer, but I'm definitely headed toward this pop-country sound."

Along with 93.1, Van Horn has had interviews with Mix 106.5 and 98 Rock and has performed in nearby towns.

Van Horn recently performed at a release party in Nashville, Tenn. for a magazine called "Rising Star."

Van Horn has also performed on Towson's campus for an exhibit called "The Secrets."

Along with finishing up her degree, Van Horn is also looking toward the future.

"Currently I am working with industry professionals in Nashville to create an original CD of my own. Meanwhile, I am just singing wherever I can to be heard and having the time of my life doing it," Van Horn said.

But she doesn't forget the help that her "Idol" experience gave her.

"Being on 'American Idol' has taught me you need to have passion, confidence, and determination to succeed in the music business, and although you may fall over and over you must get up, slap on a smile, and march on," she said.

--Alex Plimack contributed to this report

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