Young Lamorinda singers took the stage during the Lamorinda Idol 2026 Finals at the Orinda Theatre on Aug. 16, showcasing their vocal talent and stage presence before an enthusiastic audience. (L-R) K-5 Group winners named “Elemental” are Erin Koh, Ellie Smith, Luca Varela and Emma Jilizian, who performed “You Will Be Found.”
The Orinda Theatre was filled with enthusiastic audience members as the Lamorinda Idol 2026 Finals showcased some of the area’s best young singing talent.
Four sessions featured elementary soloists, groups, middle school soloists and high school soloists, with lively MCs and judges offering encouragement and instructive feedback.
“The Finals were wonderful in all respects,” said Steve Harwood, co-chair of Lamorinda Idol. “Derek (Zemrak) and Leonard (Pirkle) of the Orinda Theatre were very cooperative as always.”
The production team also earned high marks from Harwood.
“The tech team from Desired Effect provided first-rate lighting, sound and video,” he said. “The MCs served with personality, and the judges provided insightful feedback to the performers.”
Audiences turned out in force, he said. “Audiences for all four sessions were large and supportive of all performers,” Harwood said.
Most importantly, the performers delivered. Every singer and group brought plenty of talent and personality to the stage.
“Most wonderful of all were the singers,” Harwood said. “It was as if this were the OMPA championships, and each knocked many seconds off their personal best time.”
He said the performers repeatedly exceeded expectations.
“You had to keep reminding yourself of their young age as each performer took the stage with confidence, shared with the MC their reasons for their song selection, and then delivered with great vocal technique, emotional storytelling and stage presence,” he said.
In the K-2 solo category, Savanna Lewis took first place with “I Know Things Now.” Ellie Smith won the 3-5 solo category with “My Days.”
The K-5 group category was won by Elemental, featuring Erin Koh, Ellie Smith, Luca Varela and Emma Jilizian, who performed “You Will Be Found.”
For grades 6-8, Mariana Miranda won the solo competition with “Die on This Hill.” The 6-8 group winner was Cadence, featuring Dafne Evans, Quinn Pennington, Mackenzie Paige Preisler and Miranda Klein, performing a “Hadestown Medley.”
In the 9-12 solo category, Palig Horoupian won with “Material Lover.” The 9-12 group winner was Incinco, made up of Lila Graham, Ainsley Branstetter, Violet Ross, Avery Mains and Schuyler Rafferty, performing “First Burn.”
The Audience Award went to Vedica Rajaraman for her performance of “Listen,” earning the crowd’s top vote, excluding the category winners.
The event also included an unexpected production twist.
Because the stage curtain motor was not working, Desired Effect improvised with a 10-foot-high curtain at the base of the projection screen, leaving the remainder of the screen exposed.
“The judges’ images were then projected on the screen as they made their comments,” Harwood said. “It all ended up being quite effective, and it may be the way we’ll do things in the future.”
The selection of winners was based on a combination of judge and audience voting. This year, however, audience members voted by cellphone rather than paper ballot.
“This allowed for the immediate announcements of winners at the end of session,” said Harwood, “which was well received.”