Connor Closs Biography: The Voice, Age, Parents, Education, Basketball and Music Career

Connor Closs Biography

Connor Closs is an American singer, actor, and reality television contestant known for appearing on The Voice Season 30. Originally from Middletown, New Jersey, the 23-year-old performer has a background in musical theater, live entertainment, and professional singing.

Before joining The Voice, Connor studied musical theater at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He also performed in the national production Hits! The Musical, spent a year singing aboard the Coral Princess cruise ship, and joined the Jersey Shore cover band The Cliffs.

Connor earned a two-chair turn during his Blind Audition with Hozier’s “Too Sweet” before choosing Team Adam Levine. He subsequently defeated Cal Cook in the Battle round on October 12, 2026, advancing to the next stage of the competition.

Who Is Connor Closs?

Connor Closs is a singer and actor from Middletown, New Jersey. He developed an interest in performing during high school after initially concentrating on athletics.

His early sporting activities included basketball and track, but he eventually discovered an interest in musical theater and live singing.

Connor pursued formal theater training in college before gaining professional experience through touring productions, cruise ship entertainment, and band performances.

His television debut on The Voice Season 30 introduced his music to a national audience.

Connor Closs Age and Birthday

Connor Closs is 23 years old during The Voice Season 30 in 2026. His age is confirmed in contestant coverage and an October 5 interview with the Asbury Park Press.

Where Is Connor Closs From?

Connor is from Middletown, New Jersey, a township in Monmouth County near the Jersey Shore. He developed his early interest in music while growing up in the area. His connection to New Jersey has remained important throughout his professional career.

After spending time touring nationally and working aboard a cruise ship, Connor returned to perform with a Jersey Shore-based band.

His hometown also created an unexpected connection during his Blind Audition. When Connor mentioned Middletown, Queen Latifah revealed that she had previously lived in nearby Colts Neck. Although Queen did not turn her chair, she expressed enthusiasm about seeing another New Jersey performer on the show.

Connor Closs Parents

Connor’s parents are John and Jane Closs. Their names were confirmed in an October 5, 2026 report by the Asbury Park Press. Both accompanied Connor to Los Angeles in June 2026 for his Blind Audition. They were also featured during the September 28 broadcast of The Voice.

Their presence reflects the family support Connor received as he pursued an opportunity on national television.

High School and Basketball Career

Connor participated in basketball and track during high school.

According to his official Hits! The Musical cast biography, athletics were his main focus during his early high school years.

He played basketball and competed in track events before becoming interested in performing onstage. His involvement in sports continued during the period when he began exploring music.

How Connor Became Interested in Singing

Connor did not begin pursuing stage performance seriously until his junior and senior years of high school.

His official theater biography explains that he gradually developed an interest in music and live entertainment during those years.

What began as a relatively late introduction to performing eventually became a professional ambition.

Connor discovered that he enjoyed both the musical and theatrical aspects of appearing before an audience. He subsequently decided to pursue musical theater in college.

Connor Closs College and Education

Connor attended The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he studied musical theater.

His participation in the program is confirmed through his official Hits! The Musical cast biography.

At the time he was offered a position in the touring production, Connor was preparing to enter his sophomore year. His studies involved training relevant to singing, acting, and stage performance.

Hits! The Musical

Connor was part of the cast of Hits! The Musical, a national touring production featuring young singers and performers. The production was associated with music legend Dionne Warwick and featured songs from different decades of popular music. Connor participated in the show’s 2023 national tour.

The production brought together performers from different backgrounds, giving them opportunities to sing, dance, and act before audiences across the United States. The tour visited approximately 48 cities.

Connor’s participation is confirmed through the production’s official cast biography and published program.

Connor Closs and Mia Knight

Connor has a professional connection to fellow The Voice Season 30 contestant Mia Knight.

Mia, whose full name is reported as Mia Leberknight, also performed in Hits! The Musical.

Both singers participated in the 2023 touring production before joining The Voice several years later. Their earlier professional connection was highlighted in the October 5 Asbury Park Press interview.

During Season 30, Connor joined Team Adam Levine, while Mia became part of Team Queen Latifah.

Their shared theater background provides a connection between the two contestants beyond their appearances on the same television competition.

Career as a Cruise Ship Singer

Connor previously worked as a professional singer aboard the Coral Princess cruise ship. He spent approximately one year performing while traveling internationally.

In his October 2026 interview with the Asbury Park Press, Connor described the experience as one of his favorite professional opportunities.

Before accepting the job, he had never traveled on a cruise ship. The position allowed him to perform regularly while visiting different destinations around the world.

Cruise ship entertainment also requires performers to adapt to different audiences and musical styles.

Connor’s experience helped him develop confidence and versatility as a professional singer.

Connor Closs and The Cliffs Band

Connor is a lead vocalist with The Cliffs, a cover band based along the Jersey Shore. The group’s official website lists him among its performing members.

The Cliffs performs music from several decades, including classic songs from the 1960s and more recent popular hits. Its repertoire includes different genres, allowing the band to perform at weddings, private events, and entertainment venues.

Connor joined the group after developing experience in musical theater and cruise ship entertainment. His work with The Cliffs has allowed him to continue performing professionally while remaining connected to New Jersey.

Other Members of The Cliffs

The band’s published lineup includes vocalists, instrumentalists, and performers with experience in live entertainment.

Kristin Cochran serves as a lead vocalist and bandleader, while Matt Cochran performs on trumpet and vocals.

Other members include Bryan Rojas, Dylan Langschwager, Chris Paprota, Aidan Burke, and Antonio Santiago.

Connor’s role as a lead vocalist places him among the performers responsible for delivering the band’s varied repertoire.

Connor Closs Music Career

Connor’s musical interests include rock, soul, pop, and contemporary singer-songwriter music. His performances have included songs associated with Aerosmith, Hozier, Sam Cooke, Adele, and Jazmine Sullivan.

He has also shared cover performances through social media. One of his most notable online performances was a cover of Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” The performance attracted attention online and became important in his journey toward The Voice.

According to his October 5 interview, producers contacted him after seeing the viral performance. Connor’s ability to sing demanding songs requiring a high vocal range became a defining feature of his television audition.

The Voice Season 30

Connor competed on The Voice Season 30, which premiered in September 2026. He appeared during the September 28 Blind Auditions episode. For his audition, Connor performed “Too Sweet” by Hozier.

His performance attracted chair turns from Adam Levine and Riley Green. Both coaches praised his vocal abilities, particularly his control when moving between different parts of his range.

Adam was especially impressed by Connor’s ability to handle the song’s demanding chorus. Connor ultimately chose Team Adam Levine.

Why Did Connor Choose Adam Levine?

Connor chose Adam because he believed the singer could help him develop his vocal abilities.

In an October 5 interview, Connor explained that he had admired Adam’s distinctive voice for years.

He was particularly interested in Adam’s ability to sing comfortably in a high register. Connor recognized similarities between his own vocal approach and Adam’s style. He also knew that Adam had performed demanding rock songs, including Aerosmith material. That experience made Adam an appealing mentor.

Closs believed working with him could help improve his technique and expand his abilities as a singer.

Connor Closs Battle Round

Connor advanced to the Battle round after joining Team Adam. During the October 12, 2026 episode, he competed against fellow Team Adam contestant Cal Cook.

The two performed “Homewrecker” by sombr. Their performance featured demanding vocal passages that allowed both singers to demonstrate their upper ranges.

The coaches praised the energy of their duet and their ability to handle the song.

Kelly Clarkson expressed a preference for Connor, while the other coaches acknowledged the strengths of both performers.

Adam Levine ultimately selected Connor Closs as the Battle winner. Adam praised Connor’s vocal tone and stage presence after the Battle. He also highlighted Connor’s ability to connect with an audience.

The coach explained that the decision between Connor and Cal was extremely close. However, he believed Connor had demonstrated the qualities needed to continue.

The result eliminated Cal Cook from the competition and allowed Connor to advance to Cut Week.

Connor Closs and Other Team Adam Contestants

Connor is part of a team featuring performers with different musical backgrounds. Among them is Lexi Stephens, who earned a four-chair turn with her Blind Audition.

Lexi also has a background in musical theater and previously appeared on American Idol.

Another Team Adam contestant is Evan James, a country singer from Michigan who earned three chair turns.

Their different styles reflect the range of performers Adam selected during the Blind Auditions.

Connor’s own background in theater, rock, and soul gives him a distinct musical identity within the team.

Instagram

Connor’s Instagram handle is @connor_closs. The account is linked from his official Hits! The Musical cast biography and independent contestant coverage. His Instagram presence includes material associated with singing, performing, and his professional music career.

Connor Closs Quick Facts

Connor Closs Beyond The Voice

He entered The Voice with professional experience in several areas of entertainment. His career includes national musical-theater performances, cruise ship entertainment, and live band work.

His earlier involvement in basketball and track also shows that music was not his original professional focus.

After discovering his interest in performing during high school, he pursued formal training and gradually developed a career as a singer and actor.