Community Corner

Jackie Evancho Returning to Roots with Kean Quest Appearance

The 12-year-old singing sensation will act as a judge at the contest where she got her start five years ago. Patch takes a look back at her burgeoning career—and how she earned her success.

Jackie Evancho is returning to where it all began Friday with an appearance as a guest judge at the Kean Quest Talent Search.

The pint-sized singing sensation, now 12, met the first challenge of her young career five years ago when she gave her first-ever public performance at the popular local talent competition held at Kean Theatre in Richland Township.

Since then, Jackie has grown to superstar status.

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The Beginning

Back in 2008 and then 2009, Jackie, then only 7 years old, charmed local audiences while competing in Kean Quest, which was then called Kean Idol. She also attracted the attention of Grammy-winning producer David Foster and in 2009 sang in his "David Foster & Friends" concert in New Jersey.

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By the following year, she gained a national audience, winning the hearts of millions as the first-runner-up on "America's Got Talent." The classical crossover singer brought down the house, and became a fan favorite, with her aria O mio babbino caro in the show's quarterfinals.

That was just the beginning.

Climbing the Charts

These days, the Pine-Richland resident’s resume includes platinum records and sold-out concerts. 

With , Evancho became the best-selling debut artist of 2010, the youngest top 10 debut artist in U.S. history and the youngest solo artist ever to go platinum. In 2011, her produced by Foster, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, and she became the youngest top-5 debut artist in UK history.

In October 2012, she. It is her third top 10 album debut.

Already at the top of her music game, the pre-teen, whose 13th birthday is April 9, is now poised to conquer the box office.

The Silver Screen

Jackie plays the daughter of Robert Redford in the film The Company You Keep. Redford directed and produced the political thriller, which also stars Shia LaBeouf and Anna Kendrick.

On Monday, April 1, Jackie attended the New York City premiere of the film.  The movie opens in theaters across the U.S. Friday, April 5—the same day Jackie returns to the Kean Quest finals as a guest judge.

Jackie also is scheduled to present the third annual "Jackie Evancho Award" at the event.

Named for the Richland native, the award is presented to a contestant who, like Jackie, has competed in Kean Quest for two or more years, works hard, never gives up and continues to follow his or her dreams no matter the outcome, according to Kean Quest. 

Tickets to the Kean Quest finals are available starting at $14 and can be purchased by calling 724-444-KEAN (5326). 

Are you excited for Jackie’s return to the Kean Quest stage? What do you think of her whirlwind career? How do you think The Company You Keep will do at the box office. Tell us in the comment section below.

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