WELCOME BACK, SIMON. With the sixth season of American Idol just days away, we checked in with local voice instructor Ellen Nordstrom Baer of the Concord Community Music School. Baer, an opera singer, has taught students who have made it to American Idol's top 150, and Star Search's top 50 and been featured on the MTV show Made. (Those students, she said, took her advice: Don't eat popcorn before you sing because the kernels will get stuck in your throat, and don't drink water because you'll burp.) We asked Baer for the inside scoop on singing contests.

What are the American Idol judges looking for? Someone that reaches your soul . . . that connects with the audience. I believe they're also looking for things that are unusual. Maybe a different kind of lick on a general ballad.

Clay or Ruben? Clay has the audience appeal, but Ruben had the better voice, if you ask me. But Ruben, I don't know where Ruben is. (He's) the next Luther Vandross, but he just hasn't marketed himself.

Simon or Paula? Oh honestly, I actually like Simon. I do believe he's honest and he knows what he's talking about. I think he gives tough love.

What's a song you would recommend no one ever sing on American Idol? "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston.

Will any of your students be auditioning this year? Not this year. But I do have someone who's interested in the Rock Star: Supernova show with Tommy Lee.

MELANIE ASMAR