CLEVELAND — Talented high school students from all over Northeast Ohio will take the stage at Playhouse Square's Mimi Ohio Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in a vocal competition for college scholarships.
Shining Star CLE works to celebrate the up-and-coming singing talent of Northeast Ohio while bringing strong voices to the need for funds that help create innovative programs and tools for people with memory loss through Menorah Park in Beachwood, Ohio. Nearly 150 students auditioned from nine counties and 73 high schools with 10 finalists and two alternates selected to perform at this year's competition.
SHINING STAR CLE: Why it's more than just a high school singing competition
They will be joined in performances by 3News' Emmy Award-winning reporter, senior health correspondent, and event emcee Monica Robins, as well as by one of two new judges: Antonia Bennett, the legendary jazz singer who is sharing her near and dear commitment toward the cause as the daughter of Tony Bennett.
Antonia joins the panel of celebrity judges who will select the top four finalists during the evening. Ben Fankhauser, a native of Orange and the Broadway star known for performing in Newsies, also joins the panel of judges this year.
Returning judges include Tony-nominated producer Rashad Chambers, renowned music director and conductor of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra Carl Topilow, and retiring president and CEO of Playhouse Square Gina Vernaci. Once judges choose the top four, it’s time for the audience members to cast their votes to help determine who will win $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 in college scholarships. Plus, the high school with the top finisher will receive $2,500 for its music department.
Audience participation adds to the judges' scores and has strong influence on determining the winning levels. Tickets may be purchased directly through Playhouse Square at playhousesquare.org, and for general information, visit shiningstarcle.org or contact Jane Furth of the Menorah Park Foundation at (216) 839-6688 or jfurth@menorahpark.org.
The Top 10
Emelia Aceto
Highland High School, Granger Township
Emelia Aceto returns as a senior to the top 10 for Shining Star CLE as last year's third runner-up, and was in the top 25 in 2020. She has a passion for performing both musical theater and classical genres.
She has performed in many musicals, with her most recent roles being Captain Hook/Mrs. Darling in All City Musical's production of "Peter Pan" at the Akron Civic Theatre and Fantine in "Les Miserables" at Highland High School. She has competed in a multitude of vocal competitions in addition to SSCLE, including NATS (Ohio: 1st place in Classical and 1st place Musical Theatre; Great Lakes: 1st place in Musical Theatre, Most Promising High School Student in Musical Theatre, and 2nd in Classical) and the Butler University High School Vocal Competition (1st Place).
Hannah Tramonte
Highland High School, Granger Township
Senior Hannah Tramonte was a top 10 finalist in Shining Star CLE 2020. She recorded and released her first original single "Fighter," won 1st place in Ohio NATS, was a semifinalist in NATS National Student Auditions in Chicago, and placed 3rd in the Hammerstein International Youth Solo Competition. Hannah was also nominated for Playhouse Square's Best Actress Dazzle Award 2020, and a top 3 finalist in Broadway World's "Next on Stage" national competition.
Hannah's most memorable roles include the title role in "Matilda," Cosette in "Les Mis" at Near West Theatre, and Wendy in "Peter Pan" at the Akron Civic Theatre. Hannah has also enjoyed performing the national anthem for the Cleveland Guardians and the FBINAA.
Fiona Coughlin
Firestone CLC, Akron
Fiona Coughlin is part of the Akron School for the Arts vocal program as a senior this year. She looks forward to an exciting school year, as she will be in four school choirs along with being the Choir Department Student President.
Fiona will also be active with her High School Theater Department, as she will be the Vice President of their Thespian Troupe. She looks forward to participating in various school productions starting this fall with her role as Dee Dee Allen in "The Prom."
Outside of school Fiona enjoys sharing her love of music wherever and whenever she can. Highlights include being a weekly soloist for Allenside Church, singing with the Akron Symphony Chorus, and performing at various events, concerts, and competitions around Northeast Ohio. Fiona wants to attend college for Vocal Performance and wishes to continue on her path of classical vocal training and education.
Alexandra Newman
Western Reserve Academy, Hudson
Alexandra Newman ranked 3rd in the 2021 SSCLE competition. She is a junior at Western Reserve Academy, where she is involved in the chief ambassador, leadership, volunteerism, drama, musical theatre, choir, and the honors dance programs. She has danced competitively outside of school for 12 years, along with 10 years of vocal coaching.
Alex was last seen in "Something Rotten" as Portia, as Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and playing the leads of Clarisse/Charon at The University of Akron's summer show, "The Lightening Thief." Alex was recently awarded the WRA Corinne Van Dame Award for her excellence and commitment to theater at her school, and has attended Interlochen for several summers and Broadway Summit sessions in New York.
Nick Peterseim
Brunswick High School
Nick Perterseim is a senior and active in his school's theatre program, multiple community theaters, as well as BHS choirs (Madrigals, mixed symphonic, and show choir). His career highlights include "Les Miserables" (Near West Theatre), "How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" (Brunswick High School), and "The Addams Family" (Cassidy Theatre).
Nick takes vocal lessons at Kimberly States Vocal Studio in Medina. He plays ukulele and bass guitar, and enjoys performing at various venues in Medina County. He chose to sing "Santa Fe" from Newsies because it is one of his favorite musicals and he loves the story as well as the message it conveys.
Lauren Ravas
Beaumont School, Cleveland Heights
Lauren Ravas is a junior involving herself in the school's music program along with various musical productions at Heights Youth Theater. Most recently, she was cast as Yonah in "Children of Eden" during a summer camp intensive and Velma in "Chicago" for a school musical tribute. She surrounds herself in the arts as they have been a prominent part of her life. Whether it is playing chords or belting notes, Lauren has always had a love for music, and is so grateful to Shining Star CLE for this opportunity to share her gift.
Lindsey Ross
Hudson High School
As a junior, Lindsey Ross is excited to be competing in Shining Star CLE again this year after making the top 25 in 2021. Some of her favorite roles include the lead role in "Annie," the Tinman in "The Wizard of Oz," Elsa in "Frozen," Adella in "The Little Mermaid," Mary Sunshine in "Chicago," and many other roles with A Children's Theater at Barlow Community Center.
Lindsey is a member of Vocal Impact, Chamber Choir, and the International Thespian Society. This year, she is a singer in the HHS Jazz Band, and this past spring had the honor of performing at the Dazzle Awards with HHS.
Leah Spacek
Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
Leah Spacek is a senior and beyond excited to be a part of Shining Star for the fourth year in a row. Her favorite part of her day is picking out her outfit and exploring the world of fashion. She loves all things creative and finds that God has blessed her with a passion for visual arts in addition to music. Whether she is painting, sketching, writing, or singing at her piano, Leah is in her happy place.
Leah also loves her job lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons, and plans to pursue musical theatre or commercial music in college.
Lila Wagner-Gleeson
Theodore Roosevelt High School, Kent
Lila Wagner achieved the top 25 in Shining Star CLE 2021. As a senior this year, she is so grateful to be a part of this event again. She is passionate for the arts, and more than anything loves to make people feel seen through storytelling, whether this be the show choir, the shows she helps put on at school, or just making up campy jokes to make people chuckle.
Khoury Ward
Mentor High School
As a junior, Khoury Ward began a fourth year of theatre and choir and a second year of show choir, and Mentor has helped with a path to prosperity. He grew up with soulful church music and began singing choral music in high school, discovering a vocal blend of emotion and soul with technical precision.
Last year, Khoury had the pleasure of participating in a Disney workshop with Billy Flanigan. This experience helped him grow and improve as a performer.
Alternates
Ananya Yadati
Hathaway Brown School, Shaker Heights
Ananya Yadati is a freshman devoted to music and enjoys singing and playing the piano. She was awarded Honorable Mention in the Hal Leonard Early Teens Vocal competition in both 2021 and '21 and was in the top 10 of over 400 entries. She won first place at the Great Composers’ Rising Talents of Americas vocal competition in 2020 and '21.
Anaya has been part of several musicals at Hathaway Brown, HBTI, and Twinsburg community theater. She excels in piano and earned a perfect score and distinction in the ABRSM music theory examination and several distinctions at the Western Reserve Ribbon festival. She also has raised funds for the Akron Children's Hospital Pianothon for the last four years.
Kayla Haskins
Avon Lake High School
Kayla Haskins is a junior honored to have this opportunity to be a part of Shining Star CLE. She was recently one of seven nominees for Best Actress in Cleveland Playhouse's Dazzles Awards.
Kayla has always loved to sing and dance around her house, so her mom signed her up for local improv classes when she was in third grade. These classes were the stepping stones into nurturing her love of theatre. Some of her favorite roles she has played include Tomika ("School of Rock") at Weathervane Playhouse; "Annie" and Storyteller ("Children of Eden") at French Creek Theatre; and Adela ("The Little Mermaid") at The Lorain Palace Youth Theatre.
Connor Bogart O'Brien returns as artistic director, having taken each student under his wing to help them bring their best performances to the stage. A strong musical professional in his own right, he has toured the globe as a professional vocalist and has performed as the opening act for more than 20 national tours.
The honorary co-chair Larry Mack has been named the "grandfather" of Shining Star, bringing the idea to the CLE. He is joined by event co-chairs Nancy and Ira Goffman, Judy and David Kaufman, Carmie and Todd Stein, and Judy and Steve Willensky.
KeyBank continues as Event Sponsor and WKYC Studios as Media Partner.