The search is on for America’s best karaoke singer and a local boy is among eight finalists to appear on the Oprah show. Matthew Hashimoto is a Roosevelt High School graduate who went on to become a singing dentist
You wouldn't know it by looking at him but Hashimoto lives a double life.
By day, the 26-year-old is a dentist working on his residency specializing in periodontics at Columbia University in New York.
But by night, he’s a talented singer.
This local boy graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2001 and has never had a voice lesson.
He does have some musical training, playing the trombone in the school band, but mainly focused on his school work.
"Where did he get his voice training? It’s in the shower,” said his mom, Amy.
This shower-singing dentist from Hawaii made an audition tape and was selected as one of eight finalists on Oprah's karaoke challenge.
Round one begins this Thursday.
"It was the best surprise I have probably ever had in my life,” said Amy.
"It’s really surreal right now its kind of crazy,” said Matthew.
Both he and his mom are enduring the chilly 35 degree Chicago weather for a chance at superstardom and an opportunity to meet Miss Winfrey herself.
"I know I am so excited this was not even on a to-do list,” said Amy.
"I think one of the highlights about this whole experience is that my mom is able to come up and she's actually here in Chicago with me,” said Matthew.
He says it would be nice to win, but in the end it’s up to voters to decide.
"It goes out to my family my dad my mom my sister my sister my grandma grandpa my uncles and aunties.”
Matthew performs on the Oprah show this Thursday.
Viewers can vote online and by calling in that day.
