Reinhart Faces Next Idol Elimination Round Tonight

Ken Spurr has not been surprised by Haley Reinhart's success on American Idol.

"She could handle being on stage, no problem," said Spurr, director of jazz studies at Harper College in Palatine. "For her, performing in front of people was like riding a bike."

Reinhart was one of Spurr's students when she attended Harper in 2009 and 2010. Reinhart performed with the college's Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Lab. Spurr has several videos of Reinhart performing on his website.

"I knew she had a great voice from the minute I heard her sing," Spurr said. "I was able to give her very challenging stuff."

Reinhart, who graduated from Wheeling High School, performed "Blue" by LeAnn Rimes Wednesday night on American Idol. The judges were somewhat split about her performance.

"Haley, that was beautiful," said Steven Tyler. Jennifer Lopez also was positive, saying that Reinhart could do more diverse, unique and special things with her voice than anyone else in the competition.

Randy Jackson, however, was underwhelmed: "I thought it was boring."

Will Reinhart survive another week? Spurr and the rest of America will find out at 7 p.m. Thursday during American Idol's elimination show.

And if Reinhart does continue on, does Spurr have any advice for her?

"I like when people are themselves, even though you might be inspired by others," Spurr said. "I think she's been doing great. She's really down to earth and I think that she has been being herself."