Twenty high school singers from across the Kansas City metro have been selected as semifinalists for KC SuperStar 2022. These singers were selected from live auditions done earlier this spring.
This is the 13th annual KC SuperStar, Kansas City’s high school singing competition. KC SuperStar is produced by The J - Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City.
“One of the wonderful things about KC SuperStar is that in addition to being a fundraiser for The J, we love that it is a community program that helps talented young artists grow as performers,” said Felice Azorsky, KC SuperStar Manager with The J. “There are a lot of new faces in this year’s group of semifinalists, and I am excited to see who make the top 10.”
The semifinalists are working with professional coaches to get ready for the semifinals that will be held Wednesday evening, June 8, at 7 p.m., in The White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center. The public is invited to attend this free event. Those who plan to attend the semifinals are asked to bring a donation of packaged crackers or cereal that will be given to the Jewish Family Services food pantry.
Anthony Fortino, a 2010 KC SuperStar finalist, will emcee KC SuperStar Semifinals. Fortino went on to perform in the national tour of the musical “Fun Home.”
A panel of music industry professionals will help select 10 finalists to continue in the singing competition. The final event will take place the evening of Sunday, Aug. 28, in Yardley Hall of the Carlsen Center at Johnson County Community College. Broadway, television and film star Laura Bernanti will be the special guest and will perform during the final event. Bernanti currently stars in Hulu’s “Life & Beth” with Amy Schumer and can be seen in HBO Max’s “Gossip Girl” reboot as well as Netflix's “Worth,” starring opposite Michael Keaton and Stanley Tucci.
KC SuperStar 2022 awards over $22,000 in scholarships to the top 10 singers. The ultimate winner of KC SuperStar will receive a $10,000 scholarship. Other singers will be awarded scholarships: second place — $5,000; third place — $2,500; and fourth place — $1,000. All other finalists receive financial scholarships.
KC SuperStar is The J’s annual fundraiser. Proceeds from KC SuperStar help provide transportation, meals, education, camp, wellness programs and the arts to children, families, individuals and senior adults. The event has raised thousands of dollars in scholarships for individuals and families.
The J will continue to share a portion of KC SuperStar proceeds with the Reat Griffin Underwood Rising Stars Fund; this year proceeds will also be shared with University of Kansas Hillel. Thanks to the community’s generosity, The J was able to provide $540,000 in financial aid.
KC SuperStar 2022 Chairs are Michelle Cole and Kurt Kavanaugh, longtime J members and dedicated community volunteers.
For more information about KC SuperStar, visit kcsuperstar.org or facebook.com/groups/kcsuperstar/.
The KC SuperStar 2022 Semifinalists include:
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Abby Augustine, Blue Valley High School, Overland Park, Kansas
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Maddox Bane, Park Hill High School, Kansas City, Missouri
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M’racle Bryant-Morgan, private school
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Maggie Bunch, Blue Valley High School, Overland Park, Kansas
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Tony Coronado, Park Hill High School, Kansas City, Missouri
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John Paul Gee, private school
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Jenna Holland, Oak Park High School, Kansas City, Missouri
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Alexyus Johnson, Oak Park High School, Kansas City, Missouri
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Taylor Knaack, home school
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Maddie Lamb, Piper High School, Kansas City, Kansas
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Dylan Markey, private school
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Kate Meives, Olathe East High School, Olathe, Kansas
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Brooke Mertz, private school
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Brett Oplotnik, Blue Valley High School, Overland Park, Kansas
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Cara Parisi, private school
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Reed Pearman, North Kansas City High School
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Gioia Serra, private school
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Ashlyn Smoldt, Smithville High School, Smithville, Missouri
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Criston Starks, private school
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Stella Woodall, Blue Valley High School, Overland Park, Kansas
