Grand Prize includes being on Radio Disney!
Music Junction’s “Burbank Singing Star“ kid’s singing contest showcases talented young singers from the heart of the entertainment industry. Young performers sing their hearts out in front of a live audience and music industry professionals! The Glamorous Annual Event features a Red Carpet and 2 Singing Shows grouped by age.
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Celebrity Judges give expert feedback and choose the year’s top performers. Past Judges have included executives from Radio Disney and Warner Bros, past finalists and coaches from American Idol, producers on the Grammy’s, High School Musical and Hannah Montana albums, Broadway performers, and Billboard Charting Artists. PRIZES for winners include being on Radio Disney, Piano Keyboards, Guitars, Ukuleles, Singing and Songwriting Lessons, Recording studio sessions, and Headshots.
Music Junction created Burbank Singing Star as part of our community outreach program to raise money for local charities. Beneficiaries are Music Programs in the Burbank Unified School District and the Kiwanis Club of Burbank, whose mission is to help kids in the local community. The event is presented by the Kiwanis Club of Burbank charitable organization.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM PAST BURBANK SINGING STARS:
Singer Spotlights
​Malea Emma
After Malea Emma was among the winners in the 2016 and 2017 Burbank Singing Star contests at ages 4 and 5, she went on to an exciting career! Her National Anthem singing video went viral in September 2018 and she was asked to sing on "Good Day LA" with Jennifer Holiday! Since then she has sung the National Anthem more than 30 times in major sports games (NBA, MLS, MLB, NFL, NHL, Nascar, etc.) She was invited to sing in front of American Idol judges, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie and was awarded a "Golden Ticket" even though she was too young to compete. She also guest-starred in Disney Channel's "Coop and Cami Ask The World" and "Raven's Home." Great job Malea!!
Dakota Lotus
Pro Guest singer in our Burbank Singing Star 2019, Dakota Lotus has an amazing acting career playing Coop on Disney's "Coop and Cami Ask the World". He also recently wowed audiences with his incredible singing and dancing talent as the leading role in Kenny Loggins' production of "Footloose". Dakota, you are on fire!!
Sam Pio
Two-time Burbank Singing Star Finalist Sam Pio is an 8-year-old actress and Christian recording artist, who is now in the middle of producing 2 albums, and a 26 episode TV show called “Love At Work“. She recorded her first MP along with 7 music videos at age 6. Great job Sam!
Jordyn Curet
Jordyn was a Burbank Singing Star 2016 1st Place winner! This talented young singer went on to hold recurring roles on the CBS TV show The Neighborhood and Disney Channel's Raven's Home. She also won a 2018 Young Entertainer Award (YEA) for her guest star role on the Disney Channel Network show Bizaardvark. Great job Jordyn!
Chelsea Snow
Chelsea was a 2019 Burbank Singing Star 1st place winner! She went on to win thirteen singing competitions nationally and internationally in 2019. Including winning three gold medals and a silver medal for Team USA at the World Championships of Performing Arts 23. Go Chelsea!!
4TH ANNUAL BURBANK SINGING STAR
FINALISTS SHINE BRIGHTLY ON THE BURBANK SINGING STAR STAGE
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On Sunday, April 28, 2019, talented young vocalists ages 6-14 took center stage as they competed for the title of the 4th Annual Burbank Singing Star. Right in the heart of the entertainment industry, this annual glamorous event featured talented young singers, celebrity judges, and impressive prize packages.
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The shows included a beautiful guest performance by Disney Channel’s Dakota Lotus from “Coop & Cami Ask the World.”
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Among this years’ finalists were talented Christian Recording Artsit Sam Pio, recording artist and singer/songwriter Dominique Ilie, and actress Seanna Pereira.
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Winners for the 11-14 year-old category were 1st Place winner Chelsea Snow (teen opera singer, 13-time contest winner), 2nd place winner Issie Swickle (R&B/Pop recording artist; “Mirror”), 3rd place winner Lauren Effertz (actress; Betty White’s Off Their Rockers). Winners for the 6-10 year-old category were 1st place winner Celine Bautista, 2nd place winner Maxwell Brayley, and 3rd place winner Cecilia Diamond.
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Past winners have gone on to be featured on Good Morning America, performed with “Dreamgirls” Jennifer Holliday (Malea Emma), joined the Kidz Bop cast, and have received opportunities with Radio Disney. Since the inaugural event in 2016, the competition’s reach grows every year with attendees now reaching more than one thousand.
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This year’s celebrity judges were assembled from all around the music industry to provide expert feedback and crown the winners. Judges included: Phil Guerini, General Manager, Radio Disney Networks; Stefan Lit, Multi-Platinum, Grammy and ARIA nominated producer and songwriter (One Direction, Andy Grammer), Peggi Blu, Vocal Coach from American Idol; Andrew Lane, Producer on the Hannah Montana and High School Musical Albums; Anthony Fedorov, Singer/Songwriter who placed 4th on American Idol; Kelley Jakle, Singer/Songwriter and Actress (Pitch Perfect); and Baraka May, singer and soloist in television and film, including La La Land and Disney’s Elena of Avalor.
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“This was a really exciting year for Burbank Singing Star!” says Music Junction’s Charissa Wheeler, creator and Master of Ceremonies of the event, “We had incredible talent, and we were so excited to have Radio Disney included in our Grand Prize Package and on the celebrity judge panel.”
Prizes for winners are designed to support their development as young artists. First place winners were given the opportunity to express their unique voice when they develop their own original song at the Music Junction and record it in a professional recording studio with Multi-Platinum Music Producer Stefan Lit. The winner will also have a meet & greet and be a guest on Radio Disney. All winners received musical instruments like piano keyboards & guitars, and music lessons, as well as professional headshots.
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Burbank Singing Star is a charitable kid’s event presented by the Kiwanis Club of Burbank and created by The Music Junction music schools. Proceeds from the event support children and music education. This year’s beneficiaries are Music Programs in the Burbank Unified School District and the Kiwanis Club of Burbank, whose mission is to help kids in the local community. In the past two years alone, Burbank Singing Star and Kiwanis Club of Burbank have donated over $19,000 to Burbank Unified School District Arts & Music programs.