Edmonton (Apr 26/04) - Doris Rogers of Inuvik has made it past two rounds in the Edmonton auditions for Canadian Idol.

The 16-year-old Samuel Hearne high school student left for Edmonton last week to follow her dream of sharing her singing voice with the world.

Doris Rogers of Inuvik made it to the third round of Canadian Idol auditions in Edmonton. - NNSL file photo

More than 1,000 people turned out at West Edmonton Mall to take part in auditions for the show.

With Blue Moon of Kentucky and The Dixie Chicks' Travelling Soldier in her repertoire, Rogers has to make it through one more round before being given a shot at fame and fortune in Toronto, where the program will be shot this summer.

"She has an original sound and that will definitely be to her advantage," said Rogers' vocal coach Jerry Woolridge of her chances.

"I just hope she's having fun and gaining experience."

Hay River singer/songwriter Mackenzie Pope drove down to Edmonton with his dad for the Canadian Idol tryouts, but only made it past the first round. Still, he was upbeat when he returned home Thursday. The Idol judges gave him positive feedback, even though he didn't move on.

"I wasn't too bummed I didn't make it," he said.

Oddly enough, it was his rendition of Born to be Wild, the song he performed at North of 60 Idol contest at the Legion in Yellowknife to little acclaim, that earned him the most attention from the Canadian Idol judges.

Pope said there was a line-up at the audition venue at the West Edmonton Mall by 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Registration began at 8 a.m. Monday morning.

Pope passed the first round, then the judge in the second round couldn't decide whether or not to send the singer on to the next round. That judge referred him to another judge, who gave him the thumbs down.

But she was nice about it. She told Pope he had a good voice and not to quit performing.

"It wasn't like 'You suck, never sing again,'" said Pope.

Next on his agenda, Pope hopes he gets the NWT Arts Council grant he applied for so he can begin recording a CD.

-- with files from Jason Unrau