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American Idol Camp produces hopefuls

American Idol hopefuls cannot audition until the age of 16, but 13-year-old Brielle Houghtby is getting a head start.

The Northmor Junior High teen recently returned from the inaugural American Idol Camp in Northfield, Mass. She hopes the result is an American Idol victory in three years.

After Houghtby conveyed her passion for singing by answering several application questions, she was accepted into the 10-day, $2,900 camp on a private, 300-acre campus overlooking the Connecticut River Valley.
“We were told that the purpose of the camp was to just have fun and learn new things,” Houghtby said. “It had nothing to do with how to win an American Idol audition. It was just to prepare us all for becoming famous someday.”

The camp might have helped, but Houghtby started preparing long before this summer.

Houghtby has been competing in talent and singing competitions around the country since she was 2.

“My mom said I used to stand up on the toilet when I was little so that I could see in the mirror, and I would just make up songs about everything I saw,” Houghtby said. “I love singing, especially being on stage. When I’m on stage, I feel free, like there’s no one else but me. It’s my getaway.”

Houghtby, a huge country music fan, said her goal is to eventually move to Nashville and become a “country star.”

In 2003, season two of American Idol, she began following the show.

“I missed season one, but when I saw season two, I got hooked instantly,” she said. “I’ve watched it every year after that.”

In April, while browsing the American Idol Web site, Houghtby said she came across information for Idol Camp.

She submitted her application instantly and a week later became one of 150 kids selected for the first camp of the summer. Three other Idol Camps will also take place through September.

Houghtby took three classes at camp, including a hip-hop dance class, a songwriting and recording class and an “Idol Style” class, where she learned from several stylists.

The highlight of Houghtby’s experience was accompanying famous R&B singer Macy Gray on the keyboards.

Houghtby said she also got to meet former Idol contestants Ace Young, John Peter Lewis and Carmen Rasmusen.

“I met people I will stay friends with forever,” Houghtby said. “When we’re all famous someday and we run into each other, we can say ‘Hey, I remember you from American Idol camp.’ ”

Houghtby said she plans to attend camp until the cut-off age of 15.

“I’ve told Brielle many times, whatever it takes and whatever she wants to do with singing, we’ll do it,” Houghtby’s mother, Mary said. “If it means taking her to the moon and back, we’ll do it.”

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