Boca’s ‘Idol’ Brett Loewenstern visits students at Home Safe campus
May 6, 2011 · 0 Comments
Story, photo by Dale M. King
BOCA RATON – Brett Loewenstern, the Spanish River High School student who outdistanced some 100,000 hopefuls to earn a spot in the top 24 contestants on this year’s edition of “American Idol,” recently shared his life experiences – and his vocal abilities – with students at the Boca Raton campus of Home Safe.
Accompanied by his father, Elliott, and officials from Home Safe, Brett sat with students, listened to them sing, and encouraged them to work on their talents, no matter what they are.
“Do you like to draw?” Brett asked one boy. He said yes. “Then draw.”
“You have the power from inside you,” the Idol finisher told the group.
One Home Safe teen who sang in front of Brett – and got a hug in return – described the “Idol” finalist as “cool, he’s awesome. He sings well – a little better than me.”
When he sang before the crowd, he displayed his strong voice that earned him praise from the Idol judges. When he hit a high note, the group of students applauded.
Brett Loewenstern was chosen at an audition in New Orleans to move on to the Hollywood auditions. He moved through that stage to be the 24th finisher selected. He appeared on the first live competition show and was one of five eliminated in that round.
His dad compared his son’s experience to being a “first-round draft pick.”
“It was tough coming back to reality,” Brett said about returning to life at home and school. During competition, “you’re in a whole other bubble. You’re so busy.”
He said he has not been in touch with the remaining contestants, figuring they are also busy as they approach the selection of this year’s American Idol.
Brett won praise on the show for making public his problems with bullying. Asked for advice, he told the group: “Your strength comes from within. You have one true friend and that’s your voice, it is your truest friend. It will never deceive you.”
Home Safe Marketing Manager Joe Maltese said the tour was coordinated to show Brett and his dad one of the programs that Home Safe provides – “our residential group homes which serve young children who are victims of severe sexual, physical or emotional abuse and abandonment. Brett wanted to personally see, firsthand, what Home Safe does to help the kids who live in Boca Raton.”
Maltese said the connection between Home Safe and Brett is that he agreed to perform at Home Safe’s signature fundraising event of the year – The Classic Rock & Roll Party, hosted by legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons. The star-studded event takes place on Saturday, October 1 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, with more than 500 people being entertained at a private concert by some to top musicians in the country.
For more info about the event, visit www.TheClassicforHomeSafe.org. or call 561-383-9860.
