Filo made it to the Top 12

Conservatory of Music alumnus Filo Ebid ’23 received a standing ovation from all three judges for his final performance, a rendition of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" which Lionel Ritchie called Filo's best performance yet in the show. Entering the competition with a coveted Platinum Ticket, Filo wowed judges, brought audiences to their feet and progressed through rounds of viewer voting to reach the Top 12 during the 23rd season of American Idol.

Filo's American Idol performances

DatePerformanceStatus
April 28"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"Top 12
April 27Top 12
April 21Top 14
April 20Top 20
April 14Top 24
AuditionPlatinum Ticket Holder

Filo at Pacific

Filo graduated from 㽶ý in 2023 with a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance.

While studying voice with Daniel Ebbers and acting with James Haffner, he played title roles in award-winning Pacific Opera Theatre performances of "The Threepenny Opera" (2023) and "Into the Woods" (2022).

“When you hear him in his element, especially live, he has a certain energy,” said Ebbers, program director for voice and chair of music performance. “There is this feeling that when you hear him, you feel he loves the music, and it’s so enjoyable to watch a performer like that.”

He has performed at many hallmark events at Pacific, including President Christopher Callahan’s inauguration dinner, several scholarship lunches and the memorial service for student life trailblazer Judy Chambers.

"The Conservatory helped me train a muscle that would serve me for the rest of my career, which is to say yes to every opportunity that comes my way and worry about how to make it happen later," he said in an interview. "This tactic helped me push myself in ways that I never thought possible."

Hear Filo sing

Filo's soulful performance of Sam Cooke’s "A Change Is Gonna Come" at the 2025 Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon earned a standing ovation. His powerful vocals and heartfelt delivery captivated the audience of students, faculty, staff and donors.

The U.S. Sun, April 29, 2025

USA Today, April 29, 2025

Billboard, April 28, 2025

Stockton Record, April 28, 2025

TV Insider, April 27, 2025

Stockton Record, April 22, 2025 

TV Insider, April 21, 2025

Stockton Record, April 8, 2025

Stockton Record, March 17, 2025

American Songwriter, March 16, 2025

TV Insider, March 16, 2025

, Parade Magazine, March 13, 2025

, Good Day Sacramento, March 13, 2025