AUDITIONS OPEN FOR SHINING STAR CLE 2026 UNTIL JUNE 14, 2026 $10,000 Scholarship for Winner of this American Idol style Solo Singing Competition!!! Participation is free and all genres of music accepted. Shining Star CLE<https://www.mandeljcc.org/shining-star-cle/mandeljcc/>, a Northeast Ohio favorite since 2017, is presented by KeyBank and hosted by Mandel JCC of Cleveland. Join us for THE FINALS on Sunday, AUGUST 23, 2026 * 6:30 pm. ELIGIBILITY * High school students with a 2027 to 2030 graduation date * Must live in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne counties, including homeschooled students THE AUDITIONS [NOTE NEW CLOSE DATE] * Submit video audition online until June 14, 2026 at 11:59 pm * Upload your audition video (3 minutes max) to https://zealous.co/mandeljcc/opportunity/shining-star-cle/ * Piano accompaniment, personal instrument usage or a cappella are preferred, but recorded accompaniment is allowed. THE SCHOLARSHIPS * 1st Place Winner: $10,000 college scholarship plus an opportunity to perform with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. Also a free one-year membership to The J. * 2nd Place: $5,000 college scholarship * 3rd Place: $2,500 college scholarship * 4th Place: $1,000 college scholarship * Fan Favorite: $500 college scholarship * Bonus Prize: $2,500 to the high school music department of the 1st place winner AUDITION & JUDGING PROCESS: https://mandeljcc.org/files/galleries/Shining_Star_PROCESS_APR2026.pdf THE CAUSE 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. Questions? Contact me Kate Martin Special Events Coordinator Mandel JCC 26001 S. Woodland Beachwood, Ohio 44122 Direct: 216-593-6214 Email: kmartin@mandeljcc.org Watch the 2025 Shining Star CLE video<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mKaMNavXRw>.