More than 300 people lined up to audition for David Foster's Star Search at the River Cree Casino Saturday afternoon, but with only 60 going through to the next round of auditions, the chance to move on was slim.
"I've been practicing this song forever, so hopefully I get it," said 17-year-old Priya Dua who brought her parents along for support.
The hopefuls are singing for their chance to perform alongside David Foster, a 15 time Grammy Award winner, at a celebrity gala next week.
"He discovered Michael Buble, Celine Dion, Josh Groben, the list goes on and on," said Wayne Pedersen from The David Foster Foundation.
Four celebrity judges will narrowed down the group of 300 to about 60 who'll perform again on Sunday.
Celebrity judge and CTV Edmonton News anchor Daryl McIntyre said it was a day full of emotion and tears as hundreds of dreams were dashed.
"Unfortunately we're the ones dashing them, but at the same time we're trying to make the best choice that we possibly can," he said.
One of those choices was to put 23-year-old landscaper Bryan Torwalt through to the next round. "Overall I got it, so that's a good thing in the end." he said.
Priya Dua on the other hand was not celebrating. The teen did not make it into the next round, but that isn't keeping her from thinking positively.
"You shouldn't give up," she said. "It's a learning experience."
At the end of Sunday's audition the group of 60 will be narrowed down to just six.
Those six will perform in front of David Foster at a private dinner next week. Foster will select the winner out of that group.
The winner of the competition will perform with David Foster at a Celebrity Gala on September 13th in support of organ transplant patients.
With files from Erin Isfeld