By Jody Kerzman | Submitted Photos

Mandan high school junior Brianna Helbling’s best memories, and even her worst memories, involve music. Her dreams for the future also involve music.  

“I’ve been singing ever since I was little,” explains Brianna. “My dad passed away from lung cancer when I was two. I remember when he was in the hospital we always had “The Bear in the Big Blue House” CD playing. I started playing the piano in kindergarten and I got my first guitar when I was seven. I fell in love with it and started writing my own music.”

At age eight, she performed in front of her first audience: 100 people at her school talent show.

“I was shaking the entire time,” she says. “I still get nervous, especially when I sing the national anthem. It’s such a big song and I sing it a cappella. I am so used to having my guitar with me for a security blanket!”

In September, Brianna took her guitar to Fargo to audition for American Idol. Out of the more than 400 people who auditioned that day, Brianna was one of only five to earn a golden ticket. That meant a trip to Hollywood and a chance to audition for the show’s executive producers.

“The whole thing was a crazy experience and there was a lot of waiting around,” she recalls. “At the open call auditions in Fargo I waited in line for over three hours and again in Hollywood I ended up waiting for around three hours before I got called into the room. When I walked in, there were 10 producers sitting on a couch, just talking and hanging out. It was way less stressful than the open call auditions. I ended up singing two songs for them—”Midnight Rider” by The Allman Brothers Band and “Flat on the Floor” by Carrie Underwood.

“It comes down to what they want this season, but one of the producers was singing along with me, so I think that’s a good sign!”

After several weeks of waiting, Brianna finally heard back from the show. She did not make it to the next round, but the producers told Brianna they want her to try again next year. The next step would have been performing in front of the celebrity judges when the next season of American Idol starts in March on ABC. Even though she didn’t make it to the next round, Brianna will be watching.

“I still watch Carrie Underwood’s “American Idol” performances on YouTube,” says Brianna. “Many of my favorite country singers got their start on the show.

Brianna dreams of being the next country music star to kick start her career on the show. While she prepares to audition again next year, Brianna is continuing her life as normal—that means school, homework, extracurriculars, practicing her music, and writing her own songs.

“I am working on a CD and hope to have that out by spring,” she says. “After high school I plan to go to college and get a degree in business. That will help me market myself and get a job in the music industry. My ultimate dream is to get a record deal in Nashville.”   

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