Friday, Nov. 16, 2007

Newman boy is Modesto's 'Young Idol'

Colton Pometta will perform with Modesto Symphony

Colton Pometta, 16, of Newman was named the Modesto Symphony Orchestra's 2007 Young Idol winner during a celebration at Vintage Faire Mall on Friday evening.

As winner of the talent contest, he will perform at the symphony's Holiday Pops concert at the Gallo Center for the Arts and will receive a number of prizes.

The other finalists remaining before Pometta’s win was announced were Freddy Lemmo 13, of Salida; and Natalie Tout-Masnica, 10, of Turlock, 10.

Pometta, a Modesto High junior, has an extensive performance background, including roles with Sierra Repertory Theatre in “The Sound of Music” amd with Newman Performing Arts in “Honk,” “The Music Man,” “Ragtime” and “Sweeney Todd.”

"Sweeney Todd" was a co-production with Townsend Opera Players, which also has featured Pometta in “The Secret Garden” and “Hansel and Gretel.”

More than 120 contestants 17 and younger took the stage at Vintage Faire on Sept. 15 to audition before a large crowd of friends, family, fans and shoppers. The field was narrowed to 25 that day, then to 10 finalists the next.

Through voting at modbee.com, one finalist was eliminated each week until Pometta, Lemmo and Tout-Masnica remained.