Local musician earns Golden Ticket on American Idol

OVANDO – Growing up in a musical household, Zia Kloetzel of Ovando developed a passion for music.  Not only is she deeply motivated by music, her mother Andrea Morgan said she has discovered it brings other people joy. 

After she was contacted this past summer by a scout from American Idol, Zia began the auditioning process for the 2022 Season of American Idol.  She received a golden ticket during the auditions in Nashville, Tennessee and will continue the contest during Hollywood Week, airing March 28 and April 4. She looks forward to sharing her musical gifts with the world.

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The Kloetzel family provided a stimulating musical environment for Zia and her older brother Adin to grow up. Grandma and Grandpa Kloetzel are accomplished singers, Uncle Jeff is a singer-songwriter-soloist performer and Aunt Jennifer is a professional cellist with the Cypress String quartet in San Francisco.

"Whenever we go to Oregon for a visit, Jeff arranges for a family jam session," Andrea said, "It's really, really fun. It's delightful and joyful."

When Zia started toddling around the house she began trying out the instruments. 

"There were always instruments around the house and music being played," said Andrea.

In kindergarten, Zia wanted to take piano lessons. Andrea said the interests just took off from there. She continued to play the piano and learned the acoustic guitar and fiddle.

Zia began singing in the Coyote Choir in Missoula at age 10. While attending Hellgate High School, Zia participated in numerous choirs. Andrea said she now writes and performs her own songs as a way to express herself.

Throughout school, Zia received three youth grants from Alpine Artisans, Inc.: the first for Theatre Camp in 2012 and the second and third for Mt. Fiddle Camp in 2015 and 2016. Zia and Adin performed in the Alpine Artisans Talent Show in 2016. In 2017 Zia performed a solo. Adin has become an accomplished musician himself, playing the piano and mandolin throughout Western Montana.

The Alpine Artisans grants show community support that endorses local musicians and helps them focus on developing their art and skill. 

"They validated her talents and her focus," Andrea said. "Having support from the local community and playing on the Seeley Lake stage with Adin and solo was fantastic." 

In 2020, Zia received the Ruth Korn Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 from AAI. Although she took the 2020-2021 year off due to the pandemic, she is now using it to attend the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. She has dreams of going to the Berklee School of Music in Boston.

During her gap year, Zia worked at the Greg Boyd House of Instruments in Missoula. While she was there, she found a 1950 Epiphone guitar. The Epiphone Guitar Company competed with Gibson in the 1920's – 30's, at one time considered to be the best in the world.

When Zia picked up the Epiphone guitar, she knew it was for her.

 "To trust the feel takes maturity," said Greg Boyd, owner of Greg Boyd House of Instruments. "Zia has an amazing voice and there's not someone that comes out of this area every year with a voice like hers."

This past year, Zia told her mother that she was thinking of becoming a performer.

"It's a way to use her voice to be a platform for the things she believes in," said Andrea recalling the conversation with Zia. 

While Zia was working in the Mojave Desert last summer counting bees, she received a call from American Idol. 

"Her first reaction was that it must be a prank call," remembered Andrea. 

The call was authentic. Zia went to Nashville for an audition. 

During the audition, Zia accompanied herself on the guitar and sang "Men Like You" by Tom Misch. In order to showcase her voice, the judges asked for another song. She sang "Make It Rain" by Ed Sheeran. The judges awarded Zia a golden ticket to participate in the next leg of the competition. 

"The auditions were a whirlwind of events and I wouldn't take it back," Zia said. "I met so many amazing contestants. It was a win in my book."

Depending on the outcome of Hollywood week, Zia could continue. American Idol airs Sunday nights at 7 p.m. MST on ABC. Voting for performers begins April 10 and can be done online at AmericanIdol.com/vote.

In addition to appearing on American Idol, Zia will be releasing her first single "He Dared" on Spotify soon. Follow Zia Blue on Instagram and Spotify.

 

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