Now 17 and with a little more singing experience under her belt, she showed just how good she can be by charming the audience and judges at the third annual Lancaster Headliners competition Sunday the American Music Theatre.

It was a tough call for judges, with Ackerman competing against 11 talented finalists for the title. But after three grueling rounds of head-to-head vocal pyrotechnics, the Landisville teen was the clear winner.

"There were so many good singers in this year's competition," she raved, still breathless from the finale, an ensemble performance of "I've Got the Music in Me."

"I was blown away by everybody," said Ackerman, who placed second in 2005. "I didn't think I was going to win."

Lancaster Headliners, based on the format of "American Idol," is sponsored by the Freestyle section of the Intelligencer Journal.

Sunday's competition was the culmination of a process that began in April with more than 50 Headliner hopefuls. Nearly 5,000 votes in July narrowed a field of 24 semifinalists to the 12 finalists.

The competition got under way with a high-kicking and strutting performance by 16-year-old Josh Bellamy, who injected plenty of pep into the proceedings -- and that was just the beginning.

Some performers had trouble hiding a touch of jitters, while others displayed the composure of longtime stage veterans.

Through three stages of competition, the judges -- Ray "DJ Freez" Rowe, jazz singer Amy Banks and Negative Space bassist Mark Reinmiller -- offered encouragement.

In lieu of the harsh criticisms that have made the acerbic Simon Cowell into a cultural villain on "American Idol," local judges always had a kind word for contestants. At their worst, judges damned with faint praise; if comments focused on song choice or potential, the singer probably knew he or she wasn't moving to the next round.

"It took me years to figure out how to sing and walk across a stage in heels," Banks told one singer who wasn't selected for round two.

In other cases, the praise was more effusive.

"Wow," Rowe said after Naomi Gillies sang "Have a Little Faith in Me" in the first round.

Gillies, 17, who opened the show in a cocktail-length black dress with oodles of starry-night glitter, went on to win second place in the competition.

Ackerman's first-round song was "When You Believe," and she sold it with a powerful voice, soulful gospel overtones and radiant self-confidence.

"I totally have goosebumps," Banks told her. "I love your authentic delivery. ... Loved it!"

Abbey Gunzenhauser, who placed third in 2005 and again this year, did Etta James proud with "At Last."

Belting out emotion with perfect intonation and her voice reaching soaring heights, 16-year-old Gunzenhauser seemed completely at ease, with only a smidge of bashfulness during the applause.

It needed just the scent of smoke and bourbon to transform the theater into a jazz club.

"You gave me the chills," Rowe said.

"From the first note," Reinmiller added, "it was obvious you were in business."

In the second round of competition, Gillies worked the microphone for dynamic vocal control, giving judges a deep and sultry reading of "Obvious," while Ackerman earned high praise from judges for "I Turn to You."

Gunzenhauser reeled her performance back for "The Bed I Made," dripping melancholy with the poise of a pro.

"I'm just mesmerized," Banks said, noting Gunzenhauser's command of feeling is "something you can't teach singers. It's invaluable."

Before the third round began, 2005 Headliner winner Leslie Barton returned for an encore, singing her own composition, "Afraid to Love."

For her final selection, Gillies sang a strong and spirited "Gently Break My Heart," graceful and wholly professional throughout.

"You're definitely a future star," Banks told her. "You have it all. ... I can't wait to buy your first album."

Gunzenhauser may have taken a wrong turn by choosing a mellow reading of "Songbird" that, while expertly rendered, was the weakest of her three songs.

Ackerman, on the other hand, raised the bar with blues nuances wrapped around an aggressive rock sensibility on "I'm the Only One."

"Energy, control and self-confidence, you've got all three, girl," Rowe said when it was over.

"Every time you came out," Reinmiller said, "it was obvious you were feeling the song you were doing."

Ackerman's prizes include a $600 gift certificate from Wee Bee Audio & Video, an $800 digital media package from Mithik Media and representation from I.T.S. Model & Talent Agency. She also won a walk-on role on TV's "Law & Order" and will sing the National Anthem at a 2007 Lancaster Barnstormers game.

She is the daughter of Arlene and Jacqui Ackerman and studies performing arts through the Pennsylvania Leadership Cyber school. She hopes to study music therapy in college.

"Whenever I get the chance, I'll sing," she promised. "That's what I love ... and I'm up for anything."