ALMA — Kaylee Vonderau and Frank Karl only began playing music together this past year, but according to the producers of “American Idol,” they have chemistry that belies their newness as a duo.
Vonderau, a first-year music major at Alma College, and Karl, a sophomore music major, will appear on ABC’s “American Idol,” when the singing competition TV series opens for its 23rd season in 2025.
“Honestly, it was surprising,” said Vonderau, about being told she would be appearing on TV. “I’ve auditioned for TV shows in the past and been turned down. When we auditioned for ‘American Idol,’ it was right in the middle of a busy time for me, so I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare — not to mention that it was one of my first times playing with Frank.
“But it was very exciting. You daydream about having these kinds of opportunities, and now it’s here.”
Vonderau is the singer of the group; a 19-year-old from Pickford, Mich., who has been performing in front of live crowds since elementary school. Karl, from Midland, Mich., has been playing guitar in jazz bands since age 12, but only met Vonderau this past summer at band camp.
Vonderau auditioned for other TV shows in the past, including NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice,” before she got the big call from “Idol.” She normally performs with another accompanist from her hometown, but was encouraged by producers to play with other musicians.
She played with Karl for the first time at Alma College, where they both perform as part of the Kiltie Marching Band and other musical acts.
“I love doing accompanist work, especially for great singer-songwriters like Kaylee,” Karl said. “When we had our first rehearsal together, I was just floored. It might have been one of those things where nobody spoke for a while when we finished. We just knew right away.”
Due to confidentiality, Vonderau and Karl can’t say much about their experience, including the time and day their show will air — or if they will appear on TV at all. The pair are allowed to say they’re headed to out-of-state later this fall in order to rehearse in-person with a full band; and that they’ll be playing three songs: “Landslide,” by Fleetwood Mac, “Crooked Tree” by Molly Tuttle and “Muscogee Lullaby,” a traditional Indigenous American folk song.
“Our first audition was on Zoom,” Vonderau said. “It’s a little intimidating, because it’s so snappy. The judges don’t let you finish your songs, because there are so many auditions to get through. They don’t show any emotions and you don’t know what they like. It’ll be enjoyable to play in front of people again.”
Dave Zerbe, the Paul Cameron Russell Professor of Music and director of bands and percussion studies at Alma College, said Vonderau and Karl are well-deserving of the honor of appearing on TV.
“I think it speaks to not only their talent as individuals, but their level of responsibility at a young age, to juggle this kind of commitment, as well as the kind of students we’re bringing into the music program at Alma College,” Zerbe added.
Students at Alma College appear to be getting more familiar with the “American Idol” stage. In 2023, a biology major and folk singer, Rachael Dahl, appeared on the show.
