Moriah Formica returns to Clifton Park's Clifton Common

PHOTOGRAPHER: Erica Miller

Moriah Formica performs on the theater stage at Clifton Common Sunday evening.

Local superstar and alum of NBC’s “The Voice” Moriah Formica made a stop in Clifton Park on Sunday night to perform an intimate concert, as part of the town’s ongoing free concert series on Sunday at the Clifton Common.

Formica, known for her beyond-her-years powerful voice, competed on “The Voice” about two years ago and has since performed around the country with rock heavy hitters including Grammy-nominated artists like Chris Daughtry, Halestorm, Shinedown and Skillet, made the return to what was one of her most frequented stages prior to her time on the show.

Formica previously lived in Delmar and Halfmoon before moving with her family to Latham. She received much of her early music training at Modern Day Music in Clifton Park.

While she was on “The Voice,” Formica worked with coach and pop star Miley Cyrus on the show’s first ever all-female team. When she was eliminated from the show, Formica immediately began to travel around the country for shows and work on her own music.

Since she graduated from high school last year, she has been continuing her music career full-time. When she stepped on stage promptly at 7 p.m., Formica mentioned that the stage at the Common had a special place in her heart, as one she has been performing on for many years.

“It’s so great to be here,” she said the the audience right before she started. “You guys have always been super supportive of me.”

Dozens of people turned out to hear her, with families bringing young children, lawn chairs and picnic supplies.

Formica’s set was an acoustic one, with an emphasis on songs that she said she began singing back when she was a young child performing at local open mic nights, including Evanesence’s “Bring Me To Life” and Paramore’s “Ain’t It Fun.”

The songs, she said, were an important starting point in her career when she was much younger and wasn’t quite sure about how she was going to accomplish her dream of turning singing into a full-time career.

Ben Zoleski, the children’s musical director for “School of Rock: The Musical National Tour,” and another local superstar, Madison VanDenburg of “American Idol” fame, joined Formica on stage for a few songs each.

Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett on Sunday noted the town’s early embrace of Formica’s talents. About four years ago, he said, she performed during the town’s July Fourth celebration and made such an impression that they hired her almost immediately for the next year.

“She’s a regular,” he said. “She’s been here every year since.”

Formica, he added, has accomplished a significant amount at a very young age, and even more since the town had her playing for concerts.

“She’s just done a tremendous job. We’re so proud of her,” he said.

Barrett mentioned that he has high hopes that Formica will continue to play shows in Clifton Park, and during her set she assured the audience that more concerts in town would definitely happen in the future.

“I’ll play here as long as I can. I love it,” she said.