A total of 22 high school singers were selected as semifinalists for KC SuperStar, The J’s annual high school singing competition and fundraiser.
Now in its 17th year, the “American Idol”-style event is produced by The J and serves as the organization’s largest fundraiser.
The KC SuperStar committee reached out to 155 different high schools and performing arts centers, including dance studios, voice teachers and youth theaters to ensure the opportunity was presented to as many eligible students as possible. Audition sign-ups represented 47 different schools and four homeschooled students.
“Imagine yourself at 15 to 18, getting up in front of four strangers and singing without any music behind you,” said Tammy Ruder, KC SuperStar producer. “That is not easy at any age. Even if they don’t move on to the next round, having the courage to put yourself out there is a growing experience and not something I think I could have done at that age.”
At the initial audition, competitors sing a cappella and are judged on vocal performance and stage presence. The judges do not know the competitors’ names or ages, only the school they attend and the song they are going to sing. After the final day of auditions, judges tally their scores to determine the semifinalists.
The KC SuperStar semifinals will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, in The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre at The J (5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211). The public is invited to attend this free event.
Rich Linden, a Kansas City DJ and entertainer, will serve as the emcee for the semifinals. A panel of judges from the entertainment industry will select the top 10 singers to advance to the KC SuperStar finals on Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College.
Contestants are competing for a $15,000 scholarship, with more than $30,000 in total scholarships awarded to the top 10 finalists. Over the years, hundreds of teen singers from across the region have participated in KC SuperStar, and several have gone on to perform professionally.
“KC SuperStar is a fundraiser for The J, but it is also an opportunity to bring students together from all over the metropolitan area to share their differences, to grow as individuals, and have the opportunity to win $15,000,” Ruder said.
Broadway star Micaela Diamond will serve as the celebrity host and performer at this year’s final event. Diamond is known for her acclaimed Broadway performances, including her Tony and Grammy Award nominated role as Lucille Frank in “Parade.” She has also appeared in “The Cher Show” and Stephen Sondheim’s final musical, “Here We Are.”
As The J’s major fundraising event, KC SuperStar also helps provide financial assistance for community members to access programs and services, with a portion of funds supporting The Reat Griffin Underwood Rising Stars Fund for youth performing arts education.
Serving as co-chairs this year are J members and community volunteers Alana Muller and Marc Hammer.
Additional details about the competition and scholarships are available at kcsuperstar.org or by emailing Tammy Ruder at .
KC SuperStar Semifinalists are:
- Aashrita Kambhampat – Overland Park, Kansas
- Addy Gardner – Lee’s Summit, Missouri
- Ava DeAngelo – Lenexa, Kansas
- Brenda Benitez – Overland Park, Kansas
- Brock Addison – Overland Park, Kansas
- Cameron James Ritchie – Kansas City, Missouri
- Chace Curtis – Liberty, Missouri
- Corbin Newberry – Kansas City, Missouri
- Desmond Walker III – Independence, Missouri
- Emily Colbert – Blue Springs, Missouri
- Jada Strother – Kansas City, Missouri
- Jaxon Hendrix – Lenexa, Kansas
- Jocelyn Salter – Overland Park, Kansas
- Jordan Naseem – Kansas City, Missouri
- Karen Jallad – Overland Park, Kansas
- Kiera Basel – Shawnee, Kansas
- Matthew Brun – Overland Park, Kansas
- Miles McKinzy – Overland Park, Kansas
- Molly Sheeley – Kansas City, Missouri
- Sabine Federlein – Kansas City, Missouri
- Sutton Claycamp – Overland Park, Kansas
- Teagan Sullivan – Roeland Park, Kansas
