Bernice Reyes 2014 Ottawa Idol Winner
© Mike Carroccetto
2014 Ottawa Idol winner, Bernice Reyes, age 15, of Orleans, sings on stage at the Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa, Saturday, September 6, 2014. Reyes was unanimous selection as the top singer in this year's contest.
Mike Carroccetto / Metro
She’s only been in Canada for two years. But on Saturday, Bernice Reyes was crowned 2014 Ottawa Idol champion on stage at the Algonquin Commons Theatre.
“I am so excited and so happy,” said the 15-year-old Reyes, mere moments after receiving her Idol trophy.
Hours earlier, with the judges deliberating on the top-6, as she sat amongst 20 supporters, she displayed little anxiety. Reyes wasn’t nervous at all, she said. But then again, the Orleans resident been singing since she was five-years-old. Each of the finalists ended up singing four songs, and Reyes sang all of them flawlessly. She also brought a suitcase full of clothes, bringing not just a different sound, but a different look for each of her performances.
“You came to win,” said one of judges to Reyes, after a perfect rendition of I Will Always Love You, by Whitney Houston.
“I just think she’s fantastic, she doesn’t miss a note,” said Eldon Fox, the founder and director of Ottawa Idol since it’s humble beginnings as Kiwanis Idol back in 2004. Fox says holding Saturday’s finals in a theatre gives all the contestants “a thrill, something they’ll remember for a their rest of their lives.”
Dennis Combe, one of the three judges, said he looks for, “That package deal. Stage presence, singing ability and song choice. When those three elements come together, I just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Boom 99.7 radio announcer Dylan Black, also a judge, said he found the talent ‘exceptional’.
“I didn’t think I would find it as good as it is. These young singers all have unbelievable potential,” added Black.
Reyes’ family immigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 2012. Reyes says she loves ‘this country’. With her win, she might have opened the door to seeing lots more of it.
“I love music, I can sing forever”, Reyes added. “Watch out, here I come,”
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IDOL MOMENTS: The Top-3 included the winner, Reyes, plus runner’s-up Allison Neville (age 15, Petawawa) and Jennifer Lauren (21, Stittsville)…. rounding out the Top-6 were Matthew Boutros (17, Overbrook), Noah Pellmann (16, Ottawa West) and Kyle Menard (18, Ottawa)… Judges for Saturday’s final were Jenna Taggart, Dennis Combe, Dylan Black and Danielle Allard…. as Ottawa Idol champion, Reyes wins $2,000 in recording time at AudioValley Recording Studio on Liverpool Ct., as well as a meeting / consultation with a senior A&R representative of Universal Music Canada at their offices in Toronto… An original song will be located for Reyes to sing and record…. The first and second runner’s-up will receive $600 and $400 recording time prize respectively… Reyes will appear on CTV Morning Live on Monday morning (Sept. 8) and also audition to sing the national anthem for an Ottawa Senators NHL game this upcoming season…..
Ottawa Idol winners:
- 2004 Nadia Mayer (Rockland, ON)
- 2005 Gabrielle Giguere (Glebe)
- 2006 Sarite Harris (Alta Vista)
- 2007 Kelcie Brown (Greely)
- 2008 Régine McCamus (Aylmer, Quebec)
- 2009 Angela Rozman (Orleans)
- 2010 Amanda Nantsios (Barrhaven)
- 2011 Jordan McIntosh (Carleton Place)
- 2012 Ally Maheral (Munster Hamlet)
- 2013 Lindsay White (Orleans)
- 2014 Bernice Reyes (Orleans)
