91成人导航

Alumnus Filopatir 鈥淔ilo鈥� Ebid 鈥�23 kicked off the new year in a way many aspiring performers only dream about.听The 91成人导航 Conservatory of Music graduate听, where he joined American Idol host Ryan Seacrest and former contestant, country music star and newly added judge Carrie Underwood.

The pair surprised Filo with a Platinum Ticket, a coveted pass that is only offered to the three American Idol contestants who had the best auditions for the new season. It allows them to skip the first round of Hollywood week to go right to the next level of the competition.

American Idol, which premiered in 2002, enters its 23rd season this year. The popular singing competition features aspiring artists from across the country performing in front of celebrity judges, hoping to earn America鈥檚 vote and launch their music careers. The new season will premier March 9 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Filo has performed at many hallmark 91成人导航 events, including President Christopher Callahan鈥檚 inauguration dinner, several scholarship lunches and the memorial service for student life trailblazer Judy Chambers. He鈥檚 also performed in many concerts and musical productions at the Conservatory of Music.听

Since graduating, Filo completed a master鈥檚 program听in contemporary performance at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, spending a year at its Valencia campus in Spain before returning to California to work on original music and play shows around the Bay Area.

鈥淲e all knew Filo was a superstar. Now the entire country will know,鈥� said President Callahan, who, along with First Lady Jean Callahan, has grown close with Filo and his family over the years. 鈥淲e are so excited for Filo and his amazing Mom. The entire 91成人导航 community is planning a series of events and watch parties to cheer on Filo. We can鈥檛 wait.鈥�

As Filo embarks on his journey as a contestant on American Idol, he shared that he still holds his time at 91成人导航 close during a recent interview.

How did your time as a 91成人导航 student prepare you for an opportunity like American Idol?

Filo: The Conservatory of Music at 91成人导航 prepared me to take on any challenge that I faced head-on as I built my career in the music industry. Not only did I grow as a musician, but it helped me develop my networking skills and how to navigate this huge industry.

I was involved with as many ensembles/groups/events that I could get myself into. The Conservatory helped me train a muscle that would serve me for the rest of my career, which is to say yes to every opportunity that comes my way and worry about how to make it happen later. This tactic helped me push myself in ways that I never thought possible, and it also created connections that have helped me down the road.

What is your favorite role you played at 91成人导航?

Filo: I was fortunate to play two title roles while I was at 91成人导航: Macheath in 鈥�The Threepenny Opera鈥� by Kurt Weill and The Baker in 鈥�Into the Woods鈥� by Stephen Sondheim. (The productions won first and second respectively in The National Opera Association鈥檚 production competition.)

Macheath challenged my acting chops, as I have never played the archetype of a criminal. The Baker was much closer to my own character, but the challenge came in portraying the responsibility and insecurity of fatherhood that the character was going through as his whole world fell apart.

How did you prepare for the American Idol audition process?

Filo: My听mental preparation for my American Idol audition was no different than any audition I鈥檝e ever had. To me, this is just another opportunity that I wanted to give 100%. I told myself that it鈥檚 important to remember this is just one of many opportunities that I will have in my career. No matter the outcome, all I can do is trust in the process and try my best. But I have to stay, I am thrilled with the outcome!

Tell me about receiving the Platinum Ticket on New Year鈥檚 Eve. What was that experience like?

Filo: Being听in New York on New Year鈥檚 Eve was a dream come true! That experience alone was surreal, but receiving the Platinum Ticket was a complete shock for me. When I was invited to go to NYC, I was informed that I would be one of many contestants there to promote the show on Dick Clark鈥檚 New Year鈥檚 Rockin鈥� Eve with Ryan Seacrest, along with Carrie Underwood. I only realized what was going on when I looked around and did not find any other contestants around me. It was a surreal moment, and I am extremely grateful for the judges, Ryan Seacrest and the whole American Idol/Dick Clark鈥檚 New Year鈥檚 Rockin鈥� Eve with Ryan Seacrest鈥檚听crew for this truly magical experience.

Any advice for Tigers who want to follow a similar career path?

Filo: For anyone who wants to pursue a career in music, it is important to remember that there are so many ways to get to your dream if you keep an open mind. You never know which door will open for you, so knock on as many of them as you can.

See a behind-the-scenes look at Filo鈥檚 performance in