WHO IS THIS COMPETITION FOR:
Singers, age 8-17, who are interested in growing their confidence as a performer.
Participants should join the age group they are on the date of the auditions on 3/28/26.
Participants who have won first place previously can not join the competition again in the same age group. However, they can join the Teen Stars group if they had previously won first place in the Young Stars group.
In order to register, participants must be available on March 28th for Auditions and May 16th for the Grand Finale. Anyone unavailable for either of these dates will be disqualified.
Maple Valley Idol, Jr. is divided into two age categories to help ensure a fairer competition by grouping performers with others closer to their age. Our goal is to support each young artist with an inclusive, positive, and encouraging atmosphere.
SIGN-UP, SONG SELECTION, AND AUDITION PREPARATION:
Registration opens February 28th, 2026 at 9:00 AM at https://mvcac.ludus.com/
Registration closes once all 40 slots are filled or on March 15th, whichever comes first.
Participants must prepare one song to perform on audition day. This will be the song they also perform at the Grand Finale on May 16th.
Performers can accompany themselves on an instrument, provide a backing track, or sing a capella.
If you plan to sing to a backing track, the URL for the track or the mp3 must be submitted by Sunday, March 15th at 5:00 PM. If the track is not received by this date and time you will not be allowed to use the track in the audition and must sing a cappella or by accompanying yourself.
Song choice and lyrics, as they will be performed, need to be submitted no later than Sunday, March 15th to DCADidol@gmail.com.
What type of song is allowed?
- All musical genres are acceptable.
- Please make sure your song has family-friendly lyrics (no explicit language).
- Song length needs to be 4 minutes or less. Performer will be cut off at exactly 4 minutes.
BACKING TRACKS:
If you plan to sing to a backing track, the URL for the track or the mp3 must be submitted by Sunday, March 15th at 5:00 PM. If the track is not received by this date and time you will not be allowed to use the track in the audition and must sing a cappella or by accompanying yourself.
Tracks sent in that are longer than 4 minutes will be cut off at exactly 4 minutes.
Please submit the background accompaniment only — do not include a recording of the singer. You may provide either:
- A URL link to a karaoke track on YouTube, or
- An MP3 file of the accompaniment
Be sure the track is clear, high-quality, and performance-ready to ensure the best experience during the competition.
AUDITION DAY:
Auditions will be held March 28th, 2026 from 11 AM-4 PM at the Maple Valley Creative Arts Center, the
address is: 23220 Maple Valley Black Diamond RD SE, Suite 15, Maple Valley, WA 98038
Contestants will receive an email regarding their time slot before audition day.
Auditions are closed to the public to help create a focused and supportive environment for all performers. Each participant may bring up to two supporters to attend their audition. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time. If you miss your audition time you will not be allowed to audition. Participants will wait outside of MVCAC or inside the Dace’s Rock ’n’ More Music Academy lobby (right next door to MVCAC!) and will be guided into the MVCAC when it is their time to audition.
Audition feedback will be thoughtfully compiled and sent via email to the address on file approximately two weeks after the auditions.
What to bring to auditions:
- We recommend you bring a water bottle.
- Any instrument you use to accompany yourself.
- No props (hats are okay), no offstage assistance.
- Only performer is allowed on the stage while auditioning.
Please warm yourself up ahead of time as there is no rehearsal space for you to warm up in.
After the auditions, finalists will be announced within 7 days. You will be contacted via email and it will be shared publicly on social media.
- 15 total singers will be selected from the auditions as “finalists" to perform at the Grand Finale
- Eight finalists from Teen Stars (13-17 yrs) and seven finalists from the Young Stars (8-12yrs)
FINALS:
The Grand Finale will be held on May 16th, 2026 at 7 PM at the Tahoma High School Performing Arts Center, the address is:
23499 SE Tahoma Way, Maple Valley, WA 98038.
Finalists should plan to be available by 4:45 PM on for a mic check and run through of their song once beforehand. Contestants will be seated together in the front rows of the PAC in reserved seats during the show.
If you advance to the Grand Finale, finalists must submit a high-quality photo and a short bio for promotional purposes by April 15th, 2026 to DCADidol@gmail.com.
Our Program Lead will guide registered contestants through each step of the process and will communicate primarily via email. You can expect to receive:
- A welcome email after registering
- Your Round 1 Audition time slot
- Judges’ comments following the First Round
- If you’ve been selected for the Grand Finale you’ll receive details about the day of including your arrival time
PRIZES:
Participants' performances will be judged on Tone/Technique, Musical Interpretation, Stage Presence, and Musicianship. Based on scores from those categories 5 winners will be chosen by the judges at the Grand Finale and will be announced at the end of the event.
Cash prizes and performance opportunities for Finalists:
- Teen Stars: $100 (1st), $75 (2nd)
- Young Stars: $75 (1st), $50 (2nd)
- People’s Choice Award: $50
- All five winners will participate in the parade on Saturday, June 13th during Maple Valley Days and sing at Maple Valley Arts Festival (June 13) and on the Dace’s Rock ’n’ More Entertainment Stage at the Maple Valley Farmers Market (Date TBD).