Last week some may have seen Will Makar, 16, at The Woodlands College Park High School's musical, "Anything Goes," but many more have seen the local teen sensation on Fox's "American Idol."

Makar has made a big step as far as the show is concerned. He has "made it to Hollywood." Makar's musical journey, however, began right here in The Woodlands.

Makar has been a resident of The Woodlands for a number of years. He has been performing vocally on stage since kindergarten. In an interview with The Villager last year, Makar described a performance from his earlier days that really stood out in his mind.

"I remember performing in fourth grade at my elementary school," he said. "They gave me my own solo and the crowd went wild after I sang it. I really enjoyed it."

Soon after that performance, Makar said he joined the Houston Children's Chorus where he said he had plenty of solo opportunities.

"It made me love what I do," he said about the chorus in last year's interview.

Steve Roddy, founder and director of the Houston Children's Chorus, said Makar made a name for himself even as young performer. He said only good things come to mind when Makar's name is mentioned.

"Will (Makar) was in the choir for 5 years," Roddy said. "He was one of the prized kids. We knew from day one this kid was special. The organization started 17 years ago and we have had about 250 kids join the choir each year. We have had about 3,500 children come through our program, and out of that 3,500 Will stands out like a shining star.

He has incredible talent, has the sweetest personality and everyone loves Will. He has a terrific smile; he is a great friend and kid. That's what we think of when Will's name is mentioned."

While a part of the Houston Children's Choir, Roddy said Makar and others performed about 75 concerts a year for about 600,000 people. He said Makar had a chance to perform at major concert halls around the world and even performed for presidents, dignitaries and celebrities quite often. Makar and a group of thirty others, opened for Celine Dion's performance at the Compaq Center a few years ago, Roddy said.

"Being with her (Celine Dion) and seeing how she works has made me know what I need to do to fulfill my dreams," Makar said about opening for Dion at the Compaq center when he was in fourth grade.

After Makar's time at the Houston Children's Chorus, he began taking voice lessons from world-renowned vocal coach Tom McKinney. McKinney has worked with R&R singers such as Ray J, Mario and many more.

McKinney said with or without American Idol, he had a hunch that as Makar developed his artistry, he would have a career in the industry.

"He came to me when he was a young man going through puberty," McKinney said. "His voice was just changing and it had a remarkable quality. He did not sound like anyone else. I realized he had great potential for style and even at 12 he was able to engage people with his singing. He has an understanding of lyrics and gestures. He was wise beyond his 12 years.

"I think American Idol is an extraordinary opportunity for him, but whether he was on American Idol or not he is destined to have a career in show business. Many people have had large careers who have never won a contest. He is the finest young person I've ever had an opportunity to work with."

Makar has made many strides in his musical career, with American Idol being the most recent. Makar was named the winner of the 2004 Knox Idol at Knox Junior High's rendition of American Idol. He was accepted to the Broadway Theater Project in Tampa, FL last July. Makar was also a member of the choir at what was formerly McCullough High School and is currently acting and singing at TWCP.

Makar performed with the Masquerade Theater as "Sonny" in "Grease", John the Baptist in "Godspell," Marcellus in "The Music Man" and as one of the Wickersham Brothers in "Seussical."

With many more performances and stage appearance under his belt, Makar is an accomplished singer and actor. Last year Makar said he is at point in his life where he knows music will play a major role in what he intends to do in the future.

"It's to the point where I know I want to do something in music for the rest of my life; whether I am a choir director or singer," he said. "I want to be a music major in college. (It's) something I want to be involved in for the rest of my life. I love music so much."

The final audition episode of American Idol was Wednesday. Makar can be seen on the "Hollywood Round," which begins next week on Fox 26.

Chevalier Mayes may be reached at cmayes@mail.hcnoline.net.