DP student, Andrew Diffenderfer (11), won TEEN STAR 2023, a singing competition held in Santa Barbara that began with online auditions. After his initial online performance, Diffenderfer was then selected to perform in person, becoming one of the 10 finalists.
As the ninth performer, Diffenderfer’s first moments on stage were nerve-wracking, however, as he sang “You Raise Me Up” by John Groban, he started to get into his zone. His second song was “Maria” from West Side Story. In an interview, Diffenderfer stated that both the music and song, “felt like home.”
“I put everything into the competition,” Diffenderfer said. “I gave my all for that last song.”
Diffenderfer practiced three to four times per week, even during final exams. Though winning was one of Diffenderfer’s goals, he primarily wanted to showcase his talent and create opportunities for himself and his future Broadway career. Being announced as the winner was an incredible moment for Diffenderfer, especially with his family in the audience.
“It felt amazing,” Diffenderfer said. “It was a really surreal experience. The confetti was falling, and it was just awesome.”
After winning TEEN STAR, Diffenderfer’s next goal is to audition for American Idol. It’s a big step, but he is motivated and hopes for casting directors to notice his talent. He sees it as an opportunity for college scholarships.His top picks include theater colleges such as: University of California Irvine, San Jose State University, and the University of Michigan.
Diffenderfer’s next step will be to start on college applications. He plans to send performance tapes, participate in online auditions, and prepare for anything that may come his way.
Diffenderfer’s dream has been to become a professional singer since he was ten years old. With help from his sister, he has developed into an award-winning performer.
“I grew up listening to her sing,” Diffenderfer said. “And just listening to her, I developed an ear for music, and started singing.”