Ten high school vocalists from the Kansas City area have been selected as finalists for KC SuperStar, the region’s premier high school singing competition and the largest annual fundraiser for The J.
The top 10 finalists earned their spots during a live semifinal event held before a full audience at The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre at The J.
This year’s finalists are Addy Gardner, Cameron Ritchie, Chace Curtis, Corbin Newberry, Desmond Walker III, Jocelyn Salter, Molly Sheeley, Sabine Federlein, Sutton Claycamp and Teagan Sullivan.
This year’s panel of semifinals judges, Abby Parra, Anthony Fortino and Christian Owen, all have deep ties to the competition as past KC SuperStar finalists. Parra was a 2013 finalist and is the lead vocalist for the local indie folk band The Canterberries; Fortino was a 2010 finalist and is a professional singer who has performed across the country; and Owen was a 2011 finalist and continues to stay involved in the performing arts. Rich Linden, a Kansas City DJ and entertainer, served as emcee for the KC SuperStar semifinals for the third time.
The finalists will take the stage at the KC SuperStar Finals on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. at Yardley Hall in the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College. Contestants will compete for a $15,000 scholarship, with more than $30,000 in total scholarships awarded among the top 10 finalists. Broadway star Micaela Diamond will serve as the celebrity host and performer for the event.
As part of this year’s semifinal event, attendees showed their support for the community by donating boxes of adhesive bandages to benefit J Cares, a volunteer service initiative connected to the JCC Maccabi Games. The donated bandages will be used in community service projects and care packages assembled during the Games.
For more information about the competition, visit kcsuperstar.org or contact Tammy Ruder at 913 981-8878 or .
Sponsorship opportunities are available; more information is available at kcsuperstar.org or by contacting Ben Coate at or (913) 981-8895.
