Student humbled by audition experience

Performing before a crowd comes second nature to some students. Auditioning before a camera is something which some students may not be accustomed.

Erynne Hundley, theater per­formance sophomore, initially auditioned for American Idol in August 2009.

Later many people watched the televised audition.

“I have a fire in me that I want to spread throughout the music industry,” Hundley said. “If I don’t use these gifts that God has given me it would be like slapping him in the face.”

In August 2009, Hundley auditioned at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Texas. She was chosen out of 10,000 people to audition in front of judges Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson, and guest judge, Joe Jonas.

“It was so nerve-wracking,” Hundley said. “Joe Jonas said I had a pretty face, and Kara said I sounded soulful and was down to earth.”

A golden ticket and four “Yeses” qualified Hundley for the next round of competition in January at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

During the first round of this audition, Hundley sang her solo, “Many the Miles” by Sara Bareilles.

This qualified her for the second round of group auditions. After this round, Hundley was cut from the competition.

“I guess I didn’t have what they were looking for,” she said. “I was disappointed in myself because I felt like I could have given it so much more.”

Hundley has no regrets about auditioning.

“I look back and wouldn’t have changed anything about my experience,” she said. “I’m incredibly proud of what I have accomplished.”

Hundley said she is blessed and humbled by the experience. She said she isn’t sure if she will audition again next year.

“It depends on whether I’m ready or not and if I’m mature enough to handle it,” She said.

Jessie Burgess, dance perfor­mance freshman, said it’s inspir­ing to know Hundley made it to Hollywood on American Idol.

“She’s an awesome singer and she deserved to be there,” she said.

Burgess said Hundley is in­spiring her to face auditions.

“Knowing that she’s our age and what she has accomplished is empowering and makes me want to strive for more and put myself out there for auditions,” she said.

Hundley said she originally wasn’t planning to audition. She changed her mind after her dad encouraged her to try.

“I never thought singing could take me anywhere,” she said. “It was more like a hobby. God favors those who step out of their com­fort zone. He favors the brave.”

Hundley said she rates her American Idol experience as “amazingly difficult.”

“It gives you the chance to shine and show your passion, but just because you’re extremely tal­ented doesn’t mean you have what they are looking for,” she said. “This experience really showed me what the real world was about.”

Herendeen, interim director of the School of Theatre and director of opera and musical theater, is happy for Hundley.

“This is the perfect of example of the good student and good training,” he said. “She’s beautiful, and has got great appeal. OCU training and environment helped her deal with different and stress­ful performance situations.”