Auditions

bergenPAC IDOL 2026 - 2027 Auditions

Think you have what it takes to be the next bergenPAC IDOL? We're searching for Bergen County's brightest young performers to take the stage in our premier vocal competition!

Eligibility:
Open to performers ages 13-21 who live, work, or attend church in Bergen County.

Important Dates

Digital Submissions OPEN: Tuesday, September 8th, 2026

Digital Submission Deadline: Tuesday, October 13, 2026

1st LIVE Auditions: Monday, November 16, 2026

Callbacks: Friday, November 20, 2026

Parent & Student Orientation: Monday, November 23, 2026

Studio Talks: Meet Your IDOL Contestants

Training Sessions: January 22 through February 28, 2027

Fridays: Group & Individual Acting Coaching
Sundays: Group & Individual Vocal Coaching

Final Show: Friday, March 5, 2027 at 7:00 PM

bergenPAC Idol Prize Packages

The bergenPAC Idol Grand Prize Winner, Second Place Winner, and Third Place Winner will each receive:

An official bergenPAC Idol trophy
Recognition in the official bergenPAC Idol Winners Press Release, celebrating the competition’s Top 3 artists and their accomplishments

Each winner will also receive an individual prize package designed to support their continued performance, training, and professional artist development.

🏆 GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Winner Recognition

Official bergenPAC Idol Winner Sash

Featured Performance Opportunities

Featured performance at the bergenPAC High School Musical Awards Gala on June 7, 2027
Featured performance at the bergenPAC Performing Arts School’s end-of-year Raise the Curtain Showcase, June 12–13, 2027
Invited back to the 2028 bergenPAC Idol as a featured opening performer
Automatic consideration for the bergenPAC Summer Musical, including a $600 tuition scholarship if selected

Training & Professional Artist Development

One year of training in either the Showtime Musical Series or Pop Star Academy
Value: $1,100
One private three-hour recording session in the award-winning Tony Bennett Recording Studio, working with a professional audio engineer and vocal coach Ashley Tobias
Value: $1,000
One private songwriting session
Value: $300
One professional headshot session with a New York photographer
Value: $750

Grand Prize Package Value: $3,750

🥈 SECOND PLACE WINNER

Performance & Professional Development

Automatic consideration for the bergenPAC Summer Musical, including a $600 tuition scholarship if selected
$550 scholarship toward Pop Star Academy or private Pop/Rock vocal coaching through Pop Star Academy
One professional headshot session with a New York photographer
Value: $750

Training Options

Private Vocal Coaching:
If private vocal coaching is selected, lessons begin following bergenPAC Idol and continue through the June Raise the Curtain Showcase.

Pop Star Academy:
If Pop Star Academy is selected, the student may enroll immediately and continue through June, with the scholarship also extending into the following fall semester.

For graduating students who will be leaving for college, remaining fall training may instead be applied toward a July Pop Star Academy Intensive.

Second Place Prize Package Value: $1,900

🥉 THIRD PLACE WINNER

Performance & Professional Development

Automatic consideration for the bergenPAC Summer Musical, including a $600 tuition scholarship if selected
$250 scholarship toward Pop Star Academy or private Pop/Rock vocal coaching through Pop Star Academy
One professional headshot session with a New York photographer
Value: $750

Third Place Prize Package Value: $1,600

From auditions to the finale, contestants will receive professional coaching designed to strengthen their vocal performance, stage presence, and acting skills while preparing for the Main Stage. Whether you're a seasoned performer or stepping into the spotlight for the first time, bergenPAC IDOL is your opportunity to grow as an artist, perform in front of a live audience, and compete for incredible prizes. Your journey to becoming the next bergenPAC IDOL starts here!

Looking for future tips on how to Audition? Check out our Audition Tips & Preparation Guide.pdf

Parent & Contestant Frequently Asked Questions, Below:

Who can audition for bergenPAC Idol?

bergenPAC Idol is open to young vocalists ages 13–19 who live, work, attend school, or worship in Bergen County. Contestants should be ready to grow as performers, work with professional vocal and acting coaches, and take the stage in a live singing competition.

Can I audition for bergenPAC Idol if I’ve participated before?

Yes! Previous bergenPAC Idol participants are welcome to audition again, as long as they have not previously won the competition. Returning participants are encouraged to come back, show their growth, and compete for the title of bergenPAC Idol.

Is bergenPAC Idol only a singing competition?

No! An important part of bergenPAC Idol is artist development.

Selected contestants participate in professional group and individual vocal and acting coaching leading up to the live finale. Our goal is not only to showcase talented young singers, but to help each contestant grow as a vocalist, performer, and artist throughout the experience.

When do digital auditions open?

Digital submissions open Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Please email: bergenpacidol@gmail.com for any additional questions!

Do I have to submit a digital audition?

No. Contestants may choose to submit a digital audition as their first audition or attend the first live audition on Monday, November 16, 2026.

What should I prepare for my first audition?

Prepare one song that you feel comfortable and confident performing and that you feel best represents you as an artist.

Your audition selection does not need to be a full song. Prepare the portion that you feel best showcases your voice and performance ability.

What should I submit for a digital audition?

Please submit a video of yourself performing your audition song along with a current headshot or photo.

Digital audition songs may be up to 3 minutes in length.

What should I wear for my audition?

Please wear appropriate performance attire that represents your personality and makes you feel confident. You do not need to wear a costume. We want to see you!

When are the first live auditions?

First Live Auditions will take place Monday, November 16, 2026.

What happens after the first audition?

Contestants selected to move forward will be invited to callbacks on Friday, November 20, 2026.

How many songs should I prepare for auditions?

We recommend preparing two songs:

One song for your initial audition.
A second song to have ready if you are invited to callbacks.

Your callback song should be different from your initial selection and give us another opportunity to see who you are as a vocalist and performer.

These do not need to be full songs. Prepare the portions you feel most comfortable performing.

Should I save my strongest song for the finale?

We recommend choosing a strong song that you feel confident performing for your initial audition rather than holding back your best material.

If you are selected for the final competition, you will have the opportunity to prepare additional songs specifically for the live show.

How many songs will finalists need?

Contestants selected for the final competition will be asked to prepare two additional songs for the live finale.

There is no need to have all four songs selected at the beginning of the audition process.

How does the final competition work?

The bergenPAC Idol finale takes place in rounds.

The Top 10 contestants will each perform one song of their choice.

Following those performances, the competition will be narrowed down to the Top 5.

The Top 5 contestants will then perform their second prepared song as the competition continues.

When is the final show?

The bergenPAC Idol Final Show will take place:

Friday, March 5, 2027 at 7:00 PM

Are contestants expected to attend the training sessions?

Yes. Contestants selected for the competition should be prepared to participate in the training process leading up to the final show. The coaching experience is an important part of bergenPAC Idol.

What type of music can I sing?

Contestants are encouraged to select music that represents who they are as artists and showcases their individual strengths.

What are the judges looking for?

Judges will consider more than vocal range alone. We are interested in vocal ability, musicality, confidence, stage presence, individuality, connection to the material, and overall potential as a performer.

Choose material that allows us to see who you are, not simply what notes you can sing.

Can parents attend auditions?

Parents are asked to either drop off their contestant or wait in the bergenPAC lobby during auditions. To give each contestant the opportunity to perform independently and comfortably for our audition panel, parents are not permitted inside the audition room.