Shining Star CLE
The Premier Vocal Competition for High School Students
Join us for Shining Star CLE 2025! Experience the thrill of watching Northeast Ohio’s most talented high school vocalists perform their favorite songs in a captivating, American Idol-style competition for $18,500 in college scholarships.
About Shining Star CLE
A Northeast Ohio favorite since 2017, Shining Star CLE is a signature program of Mandel JCC. In addition to the scholarships distributed among the top four winners, the event is a major fundraising event for Mandel JCC.
Shining Star CLE is an inclusive singing competition showcasing the best of Northeast Ohio’s talented teens. Music plays a vital role in uniting communities and fostering shared experiences. Funds raised through this event allow us to both grow creative youth programming and enhance aging-in-place senior services.
Who Will Be This Year’s Winner?
Ten students from across 10 counties will put their dreams on the line when they sing center stage at Playhouse Square. A panel of accomplished music professionals will select the top four finalists – but the excitement does not stop there! Members of the live audience will vote with the judges to determine the winner of Shining Star CLE.
In addition to the scholarships and award to the winner’s high school music department, the winner will receive a free one-year membership to Mandel JCC.
2025 Co-Chairs
Rachel and Rapheal Glickman
Michelle and Evan Hirsch
Jennifer and Rob Reznick
Sharon and Bruce Rosenbaum
Emeritus Co-Chairs
Marti and Jeff Davis
Larry Mack
Judy and Steven Willensky
Artistic Director
Connor Bogart O’Brien
Celebrity Judges from 2024
Jules Belkin
Jordan Matthew Brown
Ashley Fulton
Barry Gabel
Carl Topilow
Mariama Whyte
Stay tuned for the announcement of 2025
Celebrity Judges!
Event Sponsor
KeyBank
2024 Encore Sponsors
Glenmede
Susi & Peter Meisel
Dr. Donald & Judy Schermer
Media Partners
WKYC Studios
Cleveland Jewish News
2024 At A Glance
Play VideoEligibility
All high school students who have a
2026 - 2029 graduation date and who live in the following counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne. Public, private and home-schooled students are eligible. All genres of music are encouraged and welcome
and participation is free.
Scholarships
- 1st Place Winner - $10,000 college scholarship, an invitation to perform with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra and a free one-year membership to The J.
- 2nd Place Winner - $5,000 college scholarship
- 3rd Place Winner - $2,500 college scholarship
- 4th Place Winner - $1,000 college scholarship
Bonus Prizes - $2,500 to the high school music department of the 1st place winner.
The Auditions
- Upload an audition video (three minutes max) of you singing your favorite song to: shiningstarcle.submittable.com/submit.
- Piano accompaniment, personal instrument use, or a cappella performances are preferred, though recorded accompaniment is permitted.
- The online submission website will be open from April 1 through June 30 at 11:59 p.m.
Shining Star CLE Leadership
Traci E. Felder
Chief Development Officer
216-593-0456
Katie Martin
Special Events Coordinator
216-593-6214