Kenzie Hall has gone from the “Alta Idol” stage at her Canyons District high school to the American Idol stage in Hollywood. 

The Corner Canyon High School junior dazzled a star-studded panel of judges to secure a coveted golden ticket on the popular reality TV show, known for discovering superstars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, and fellow Utahn David Archuleta. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, Kenzie will begin appearances on the infamous “Hollywood Week” American Idol rounds, where she will compete against other talented amateur vocalists from across the country. There, judges will whittle the field for the live program, where viewers vote for their favorite singers and the next American Idol.  

“This is a complete surprise,” Kenzie’s mother, Dawn Hall, said of her daughter’s advancement to Hollywood Week. “I was thinking American Idol would be a good experience. The experience keeps going, and it’s been so much fun. I’m so proud of her.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb4wXtjCMuw

Not a bad showing for a student who hit the stage for the very first time just one year ago. Kenzie debuted her easy guitar-strumming and bluesy tones when she sang The Beatles’ “Oh Darling” at the Alta Idol competition in Feburary 2013. Kenzie won the contest, and her star has been rising since. 

Kenzie went on to clinch a Draper City vocal contest. Local talent scouts started calling shortly afterward. The Draper teen, who started her junior year at the new Corner Canyon High School in Canyons School District, since has performed at venues including “Rock the Block” in Rexburg, Idaho, and the Radioactive Fest, where she opened for Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons fame.

Last summer, Kenzie auditioned for the 13th season of American Idol before star judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., who came to Salt Lake City in their national search for the next recording sensation. She wowed the judges with her accoustic-guitar infused version of John Mayer’s “I’m Going to Find another You.”

“You’ve got everything going on,” Lopez said. “She’s one of my faves,” she added as Kenzie dashed from the room to show her family her ticket to Hollywood.

Hollywood Week airs Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 5 and 6, at 7 p.m. on KSTU Fox13.

“My goal is to make it as far as I can,” Kenzie told Fox13 reporter and weekend anchor Annie Cutler, “and be happy with my performances and be happy with myself for how it went.”