Lake County’s Got Talent
Local Singers Patrick Poole and Aaron Becerril Hope to Make an Impact at National Auditions
Written by Blair Townley; Photos and Video by Anthony Rao
This weekend could change the lives of several aspiring singers, actors and entertainers of all kinds. It could also be the weekend that helps two local singer/songwriters of Lake and Sumter County achieve their career dreams.
Patrick Poole of Fruitland Park, 19, and Aaron Becerril of Summerfield, 17, will be auditioning on Saturday, February 13th for the Orlando auditions of NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
The duo, named “The Classic Escape,” plan to perform an original song they co-wrote together with Aaron on acoustic guitar accompaniment.
Excitement and nerves were apparent in both participants as the date of the auditions inches closer each day.
“The closer we get, the more nervous I get because it is starting to set in,” Patrick says. “With working and going to school [International Business and Performing Arts at LSCC], I knew it was coming but it wasn’t a big deal at first.”
Patrick heard of the auditions through the agency, Model Productions, who represents him. He then asked Aaron to join him after hearing him sing before.
“I figured if we went into the audition together and brought something different, we would not only make a statement but have a better chance of making it,” Patrick states.
“I was a little standoffish at first,” recalls Aaron about when Patrick approached him about the auditions.
“He refused,” says Patrick with a laugh.
“It is a big leap to do the auditions,” Aaron says. “I performed in a talent show and have sung in front of about 250 people and that’s a big deal, but this on TV.”
Patrick and Aaron have since practiced several times together, once even in the parking lot of the Winn-Dixie they both work at as fellow employees and customers watched.
Both have performed in their church choirs, for family gatherings and in local talent shows where they were received well by the audiences for their voices.
For fine-tuning their audition, they have been seeking the help of vocal coach, and Beverly Shores music teacher, Lynn Thornton, who has told the teens she feels they have a chance at the audition. Patrick’s musical family has also provided insight into their audition.
Patrick and Aaron both know there is the possibility that they could not get past the initial auditions, but feel that would only improve their performance for next time.
“We are mentally prepared for rejection. There are a lot of talented people who are really good at what they do and if we don’t make it past this audition, at least we can’t say that we didn’t try,” Patrick says.
“Whatever criticism they give us we will use to better ourselves,” Aaron adds. “Whether we make it or we don’t, at least we are one step closer and we did something.”
And what about that other “America” talent show?
“I’ve been told by countless family, friends, people I don’t even know that think I should go audition for American Idol and they can see me on it,” Aaron states. “I might but I wouldn’t have done this audition if it hadn’t been for Patrick. I would have just been fine playing with groups of people, like for people at Lake-Sumter Landing.”
Whatever the outcome may be on Saturday, Patrick and Aaron plan to continue on with their journey into their “escape” that is music.
Auditions Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14 at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/casting/
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