The J’s KC SuperStar finals competition will take place on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at Yardley Hall, located inside the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kansas 66210).
Individual tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events.
Each year, KC SuperStar features young, aspiring artists from across the Kansas City community in an “American Idol”-style competition. Now in its 17th year, the event showcases talented high school singers from across the metro area. Finalists spend the summer preparing for a professionally produced show. During the event, judges select the top four performers, then leave it up to the audience to decide who will take home the grand prize.
As The J’s largest fundraising event of the year, KC SuperStar helps provide financial assistance so that members can participate in a wide range of services, including the Child Development Center, J Camp, Heritage, health and fitness programs and arts offerings. A portion of the funds raised also supports the Reat Griffin Underwood Rising Stars Fund, which provides performing arts education and training for youth ages 14-21.
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.
The finalists are Chace Curtis, Sutton Claycamp, Sabine Federlein, Addy Gardner, Corbin Newberry, Cameron Ritchie, Jocelyn Salter, Molly Sheeley, Teagan Sullivan and Desmond Walker III.
Broadway star Micaela Diamond is set to host the event. Known for her acclaimed work on stage and onscreen, Diamond has earned recognition for her versatility across theater, television and film. She received Tony and Grammy Award nominations for her portrayal of Lucille Frank in “Parade.”
When asked what advice she has for KC SuperStar high school auditioners, Diamond said, “My advice is to love your material with a passion to want to sing it 100 times and never tire of it.”
Leading this year’s event as co-chairs are Alana Muller and Marc Hammer, longtime Kansas City leaders known for their contributions to the Jewish community. The KC SuperStar finals are presented by Bonnie and Herb Buchbinder, Danielle and Sam Levine and Stifel.
More information about the competition is available at kcsuperstar.org or by contacting Tammy Ruder at (913) 981-8878 or .
