The Los Angeles Music Center just announced that it is accepting applications for the free Spotlight program for all southern California high school students of all skill levels. The categories listed for students to apply under include Acting, Ballet, Dance, Classical Voice, Non-Classical Voice, Jazz Instrumental, and Classical Instrumental. Students who apply for Spotlight are eligible for scholarship money, master classes, performance opportunities, written feedback and motivational talks. Students of all skill levels are encouraged to apply and if they have talents in more than one of the listed categories, they may apply to as many as they wish, and they can apply during all four years of high school. The deadline for submission is October 16, 2020. (See link below)
Launched in 1988 as part of a “WinterFest” gala produced by Walter Grauman , the Music Center’s Spotlight program is a nationally recognized scholarship and arts training program that offers over $100,000 in scholarship money each year. It is designed to help cultivate courage, self-esteem, preparation and perseverance within each student. Although it has a competitive component, Spotlight is first and foremost an education program.
LA Phil’s Bing Wang leads Classical Instrumental Mastery Class in 2020 – Photo courtesy of The Music Center
Designed for young artists, parents and educators, the Spotlight Academy is a brand new series comprised of several episodes that focus on subjects related to applying for the Spotlight Program. It also provides advice for students and others who might be considering a career in the arts, both on- and offstage. The videos will offer an in-depth investigation into the seven categories offered by the Spotlight Program, and they will feature Spotlight alumni and other experts in the arts such as Superstore actress Carla Renata, opera singer Suzanna Guzmán, and New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck, to discuss selected topics. For more information, including details on how to apply in each category, click HERE.
Other goals of the Spotlight program is to help motivate students to take charge of their own successes in life, to takes risks on themselves and to help build their emotional muscles as they continue to improve on their physical and artistic skills. The program aims to aid students to find courage, acknowledge their fears and to move past them.
Spotlight participants receive detailed feedback during Mastery Classes – Photo courtesy of The Music Center
Spotlight Academy accepts students outside the S.C. area if they qualify
This list of famous alumni of the Music Center Spotlight program is too long to list here, but a few of them are Misty Copland (Spotlight Ballet 1997) Principal Ballerina at American Ballet Theatre; Adam Lambert (Spotlight, Non-classical voice, 2000), Grammy-nominated recording artist; Miles Mosley (Spotlight Jazz Instrumental, 1998), internationally-acclaimed jazz bassist and vocalist; Kristopher Bowers ( Spotlight Jazz Instrumental 2004) Emmy Award Winner; Lindsey Mendez (Spotlight Non-Classical Voice 2000) Tony Nominated; and Matthew Rushing (Spotlight Non-Classical Dance 1991) Principal Dancer and now Rehearsal Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; Presidential Scholar.
Broadway actor Christopher Hanke instructs a student during a non-classical voice master class – Photo courtesy of The Music Center
Here are the details:
WHAT:
Southern California high school students interested in the performing arts can now apply to be a part of The Music Center’s Spotlight, a free annual scholarship and arts training program. A TMC Arts program, Spotlight offers arts experiences, mentorship and workforce development skills taught by professional artists and arts administrators, and awards more than $100,000 in scholarships each year.
All students submit a video audition online and may apply to multiple categories for free. All Spotlight applicants receive written feedback from a distinguished panel of judges and a certificate of achievement. They have the opportunity to receive valuable audition experience and knowledge in their performance disciplines through mastery classes and performance. Through a supportive environment, students develop important life skills, including building self‐esteem, preparation and perseverance.
Southern California high school students of all skill levels are encouraged to apply for the free program. The deadline for submission is October 16, 2020.
PROCESS: (*Given circumstances around COVID-19, program elements and benefits are subject to change.)
Preliminary 1 (first round) auditions: Students submit an online video in one or more of the following categories: acting, ballet, classical instrumental, classical voice, dance, jazz instrumental and non‐classical voice. All students will receive personalized written feedback. Note: Spotlight merit, semifinalists and honorable mentions from the previous year will bypass the Preliminary 1 and advance automatically to Preliminary 2 live auditions.
Preliminary 2 (second round) auditions: Students advancing to this round will audition “live” through a virtual audition process and receive personalized feedback from a panel of industry experts.
Semifinal mastery classes/auditions: Sixteen semifinalists in each category will participate in a mastery class to gain feedback before their semifinal audition. Two grand prize finalists and an honorable mention in each category are announced after the semifinal auditions.
Grand Finale: Spotlight will conclude with a Grand Finale evening performance; date and details to be announced.
31st Annual Grand Finale Performance of The Music Center’s Spotlight at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, CA on June 4, 2019. – Photo courtesy The Music Center
WHY:
The Music Center’s Spotlight is part of the performing arts’ organization’s commitment to helping all students gain outstanding arts learning experience in their schools and in the community. The program is designed to help students explore their professional goals and increase their confidence. Spotlight alumni are performing with the world’s best dance companies, top orchestras and leading jazz clubs; singing in the leading opera houses; and starring on Broadway. They are also major executives working behind‐the‐scenes in arts schools, institutions and businesses.
For more information, including details on how to apply in each category, click HERE.
To find out more about The Los Angeles Music Center, click HERE.
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Spotlight semifinalists attend mastery classes with industry experts to advance their skills – Photo courtesy of The Music Center
