March 28, 2024
Local News | Kane County Chronicle


Local News

St. Charles North alumnus to compete on ‘The Voice’

ST. CHARLES – A St. Charles North High School alumnus this fall will appear on NBC's "The Voice" singing competition, one of his former teachers said.

Jeffery Austin McClelland, who now goes by Jeffery Austin, is one of the many contestants to participate in the show’s first round of auditions, St. Charles North choral director Dale Morgan said.

The show’s ninth season premiered Monday, but McClelland’s audition has not yet aired.

A Warner Brothers publicist said she could not reveal when McClelland’s audition will run, but encouraged those following him to keep watching for his televised performance.

“He’s a terrific young man, and he’s got a beautiful voice,” Morgan said.

McClelland, 24, graduated from St. Charles North in 2009 and made a few appearances at the school this week. On Wednesday, McClelland performed the Ed Sheeran song “Thinking Out Loud” in front of hundreds of students in the school’s main gym during a break in the Homecoming Small Games competition.

McClelland is not yet allowed to talk to reporters about his participation on the show, but he appeared happy and relaxed Wednesday throughout his appearance and performance. During his high school years, McClelland was active in the St. Charles North High School Chorale, plays, musicals and more, Morgan said.

St. Charles North senior Keeley Svoboda said she was impressed by McClelland’s ability to connect with the student audience, who were seated in-the-round in the gym while McClelland stood dead center.

“It must be nerve-wracking coming back to your school,” Svoboda said. “I thought he did a really great job.”

Should McClelland advance in the competition, Morgan said he hopes the larger Tri-Cities community will watch the show and support him.

Svoboda predicted McClelland will advance in the show and be part of “Voice” judge and Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine’s team.

“I hope he wins – I’ll be rooting for him,” Svoboda said of McClelland.

On the Web

To see a video of McClelland performing at St. Charles North High School, visit KCChronicle.com.

Follow Jeffery Austin McClelland on Twitter @JefferyAustin.