Shining Star CLE 2019 is back at the Ohio Theater at Playhouse Square Sunday September 22nd, 7pm, hosted by channel 3's own, Monica Robins.
The importance of music to those suffering from memory loss is not lost on Cleveland Heights senior Kristen Lyons.
"My grandma just passed away two years ago from dementia and she didn't remember my name but she remembered the sound of my voice," Lyons said.
Magnificat freshman, Calista Zajac gets it too, "my grandpa has kinda struggled with this before, so it does kinda hit home." Zajac says.
Both teens made it to the finals of the third annual Shining Star CLE singing competition at Playhouse Square.
They're competing for scholarship money, but the residents of this memory care community in Beachwood benefit, too.
Montifiore Memory care program director, Kristen Morelli says the funds purchased interactive tech boards.
"It's an interactive tech board, and has over 3,000 applications so the residents can use it for everything from karaoke and different music things to individualized stories, it has has a lot of great features," Morelli says.
A daily dose of music for residents is an important therapy, because it's the last thing their brains will forget.
"You have residents who might not be able to speak or really interact socially, but you play them that song or something that's really comforting to them" Morelli said.
Music is the medicine that's truly making a difference.
"It's just fun, it makes them happy, and it really allows them to connect in ways they might not be able to," Morelli said.
This is the third year for the high school singing competition where ten students from around Northeast Ohio will compete for a grand prize of a $10,000 scholarship and their high school music department gets $2,500 as well. The second place student receives $5,000, third $2,500 and fourth place gets $1,000.
Ten finalists and two alternates have already gone through the intense audition process over the summer and are ready to put on an amazing show.
Judges include Jim Brickman, American songwriter and pianist, Rashad V. Chambers, Founder and President of Esquire Entertainment, Trisha O'Brien, Contemporary Jazz Singer and Carl Topilow, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.
For Patron tickets($250/person), click here. For individual event tickets ($75 mezzanine; $25 balcony) call Playhouse Square at 216-241-6000 or click here.
For additional information contact Montefiore at 216.910.2633.
Proceeds from Shining Star CLE benefits the Memory Care Network at Montifiore and The Weils and helps implement music programs, services and events that help reawaken precious memories in individuals with dementia.