Young vocalists will sing their hearts out at inaugural Burbank Singing Star competition
Charissa Wheeler, owner of the Music Junction music school, is helping launch the first charity singing contest for children called Burbank Singing Star for kids between 4 and 12 years old.
A Burbank music school is looking to boost the self-esteem of 20 children all while helping two local nonprofits.
The Music Junction, in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Burbank, is hosting its inaugural Burbank Singing Star competition at the Castaway restaurant at 6 p.m. on Friday.
Twenty children between the ages of 4 and 12 years old will compete for their chance to win a piano keyboard, song recording and writing sessions and $100. The prizes were donated by Keyboard Concepts, the Music Junction and the Kiwanis Club.
Tickets to the event are $20 for adults and $13 for children 12 years old and younger. Part of the proceeds will go to the Kiwanis Club and the Burbank Community YMCA’s “Learn, Grow, Thrive” program, which supports children’s literacy, said Charissa Wheeler, owner of the Music Junction.
“I was thinking of projects that would align with the community and thought of the singing competition,” she said. “The age group that we work with at [the Music Junction] are mostly elementary-age kids. So we wanted to create this opportunity for elementary-age kids and younger preteens, where normally in a singing competition they’re being outperformed or pushed out by teenagers.”
In June, the Music Junction asked those interested in the competition to send a short video clip of themselves singing their favorite song. Throughout the summer, Wheeler and her staff whittled down the more than 300 entrants to just 20, who will all be performing on Friday night.
The panel of judges who will be selecting the winner includes American Idol vocal coach Peggi Blu, American Idol contestant Anthony Fedorov and “Empire” actress/singer V. Bozeman.
Wheeler, who has operated the Music Junction since 2012 and has been a piano and vocal teacher for more than eight years, said having an event like the Burbank Singing Star is the perfect way of giving back to the community and a great way to help children realize their entertainment dreams.
“Kids in that age range aren’t often seen and heard, so this creates a forum for kids to show off their talents,” she said.
--
Anthony Clark Carpio, anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com
Twitter: @acocarpio
