Carlson’s got the vocal chops to launch a career from his musical knowledge and singing ability. He was recently picked up by Infinity Visual and Performing Arts in Jamestown to be a vocal coach for children and adults interested in learning the ins and outs of pop music.

The young man showed off his vocal prowess months ago during round one of “American Idol” auditions with his mastery over the hit Sia track, “Chandelier” and some other songs. However, it was by no means an easy journey. To even get a shot with celebrity judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, Carlson had to travel with his husband and other supportive friends and family members to four major U.S. cities.

Originally, the Dunkirk resident traveled to the closest audition city: Buffalo. After his performance was evaluated, he was told his vocal performance had been exemplary but that the singer lacked the stage presence they wanted for the show.

He thought his journey was over with the solace of knowing how close he had been in his first audition. Then, a producer emailed him and offered Carlson the chance to try out at the Columbus auditions. It would prove a longer trek this time, and he was nervous.

“I don’t really think I did anything different,” said Carlson, who received a ‘yes’ for performing the same songs at the Columbus, Ohio auditions in September.

Carlson said he wanted it even more this time, which may have given him the stage presence boost he needed. The same judge who had given him a no the first time thanked him for coming back.

Of the 5,000 to 6,000 people who auditioned in Columbus, only about 30 people moved on to the next round of judging in Atlanta. Once there, Carlson advanced further and was chosen to audition for the celebrity judges in Louisville.

“It was definitely worth it,” said Carlson, who cannot say what the celebrity judges thought of him or whether he moved past that round of televised judging.

He talked about how interesting it was to provide footage for the cameras in case it was needed for the broadcasts for season 17 set to begin airing March 3 on ABC. Carlson had to collect footage of himself traveling and preparing for each audition.

Conversations with his friends and family were filmed as well, and sometimes there had to be multiple takes to get everything just right.

“It was so weird doing something a couple months ago (that) we won’t even see on TV until March,” Carlson said. “Everybody’s going to be sitting around waiting to see if (I) make it.”

Regardless of whether Carlson gets a ‘yes’ from Perry, Bryan and Richie, any amount of his audition footage or none at all could eventually be shown. He’s excited to see what will end up airing during the audition episodes in March.

Carlson thanked his supporters who pushed him on to travel to each audition through an online fundraiser and those close to him who support his musical ambitions. He married his partner Joshua Carlson in 2014 and expressed his gratitude for who he calls his “biggest support.”

More students continue to join Carlson’s class at Infinity, and there is still room for him to teach more aspiring vocalists. He currently teaches about 10 students, ranging from 9 to 24 years of age.

“I’m getting a lot of new students,” Carlson said. “I’m trying to fill up my schedule and teach as many kids as possible.”

Carlson first began singing when he was just 6 years old and got really invested in 2008 when he joined choirs, musical theatre productions and talent competitions as a teen. He eventually became a winner of Chautauqua’s Got Talent.

While his musical passions include singing, songwriting and playing piano and guitar, Carlson explained that he’s really developed a passion for teaching those skills and passing on what he knows. He encourages anyone interested to call Infinity at 664-0991 and ask for him to coach aspiring vocalists, especially those who have an interest in contemporary music.