Pocatello natives Stephen and Michael Michaud are in Nashville, Tenn., to compete in this week’s Immerse song competition, the Christian music industry’s official talent competition.

    Thereafter, the two will head to Las Vegas on June 8 to audition for NBC’s singing contest, “The Voice.”

    The first round in the Immerse competition began with video submissions earlier this year. Entries were scored on a scale of 1-5 in six areas: musicianship, communication, artistry, audience appeal, marketability and overall presentation. First round scores, along with judge’s feedback, were shared with all the artists, including Stephen and Michael, in early May. Scores in the first round of competition determine whether an artist is placed in the competitive (semi-pro) or non-competitive division at the Immerse event. Only semi-pro artists advance toward the final competition.

    At Immerse 2012, Stephen was placed in the semi-pro division and finished as one of the top three male vocalists. This year, after hundreds of hours writing and perfecting his craft, he is prepared and ready to test his talents again at the 2013 competition. In January, he submitted two original compositions in the artist/writer category and two in the male vocalist category. Stephen scored a resounding 5 in each area on all four of his entries, earning him a spot in the semi-pro competition again this year.

    Younger brother, Michael, submitted two entries in the male vocalist category and has also earned a coveted spot in the semi-pro competition. Both Michael and Stephen will compete this week, along with approximately 40 other male artists, for one of only three final spots. There will be two elimination rounds this week with only the top competing on the big stage in front of label and publishing executives, professional songwriters, artists, managers, peers and the general public in attendance.

    “I learned so much last year and I feel I have really grown and developed as an artist,” Stephen said. “The friendship, encouragement and support I received following last year’s event have been amazing. I am even more excited to head back to Nashville and take on the challenge with my brother, Michael. I am excited and very happy for him!”

    In a testament to Stephen’s growth over the past year, Brett Manning, an Immerse judge, singer and vocal coach who has worked with musicians like Taylor Swift and Keith Urban and a number of Broadway performing casts, including “Les Misérables,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” and Elton John’s “Aida,” commented in Stephen’s feedback evaluation, “We still love you so much Stephen”… “You have improved so much this year”… “Such a great voice.”

    For the Michauds, the Immerse competition is just one step on the road to building singing careers. Earlier this year, both Stephen and Michael sent audition videos to The Voice. As they were making preparations to travel to Nashville, they received an email confirming that they each have a guaranteed first round audition spot on June 8 for the 2014 Season of The Voice. After their live auditions in Las Vegas, they wait for a call back and an opportunity to move forward to the televised auditions.

    The Michaud’s singing talents are widespread and have resounded in many venues in east Idaho and beyond. Not only are they accomplished singers, they are talented actors. Locally, they have sung and danced their way into many hearts on the Center Stage and at the Mack’s Inn Playhouse in Island Park, ID. The Michaud family founded the popular Christmas Angel’s concert, an annual concert to garner community support for children and families during the holidays.

    Be sure and watch for updates about their Nashville competition and Las Vegas audition in upcoming editions of the Idaho State Journal.