The top 10 finalists have been chosen in the 13th annual KC SuperStar high school singing competition.
The 10 singers will now go on to compete for the $10,000 prize at the competition’s final event in Yardley Hall at Johnson County Community College on Sunday, Aug. 28.
KC SuperStar is Kansas City’s high school singing competition in the style of “American Idol” and “The Voice.” It is produced by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City (The J). Hundreds of high schoolers from across the metro audition each spring for the chance to compete for the title of KC SuperStar.
This year’s top 10 were chosen from a field of 20 singers who performed during the semifinals on June 8 in The Lewis and Shirley White Theatre. A panel of three judges selected the singers. Those not chosen to go on to the finals each received $100 thanks to the generosity of Howard and Rosalyn Jacobson.
Finalists include:
- Abby Augustine, Blue Valley Southwest, graduated senior (*2021 Finalist)
- Maddox Bane, Park Hill High School, graduated senior
- Maggie Bunch, Blue Valley Northwest, graduated senior
- John Paul Gee, Heritage Christian Academy, senior
- Alexyus Johnson, Oak Park High School, senior
- Kate Meives, Olathe East, senior
- Brett Oplotnik, Blue Valley Northwest, senior
- Cara Parisi, Bishop Miege High School, graduated senior (*2021 Semifinalist)
- Gioia Serra, Notre Dame de Sion junior (*2021 Semifinalist)
- Stella Woodall, Blue Valley Northwest, junior
The finalists will work with performance coaches in preparation for the finals on Aug. 28. Each will perform in group numbers and sing solo for judges. The judges for the finals include entertainment industry professionals Lindsey Jones Pryor, Millie Nottingham and Richard McCroskey. The audience will have an opportunity to help decide the top four finalists.
This year’s celebrity host for KC SuperStar is Tony Award winner and five-time Tony nominee Laura Benanti. In addition to her Broadway work, Benanti is a television and film star. Benanti currently stars in Hulu’s “Life & Beth” with Amy Schumer, can be seen in HBO Max’s “Gossip Girl” reboot, and stars opposite Michael Keaton and Stanley Tucci in Netflix's “Worth.” Benanti has performed in the top concert halls and nightclubs across the United States.
Benanti also created and executive produced the HBO Max special “Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020,” co-authored a children’s board book “M is for Mama (and also Merlot): A Modern Mom’s ABC’s,” and released a self-titled studio album for Sony Music Masterworks.
For KC SuperStar, more than $22,000 in scholarships is awarded to the top 10 singers. In addition to the top prize of $10,000, the other singers will be presented with 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. In its 13 years, 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 the University of Kansas Hillel. Because of 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 the Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/kcsuperstar/.