Applications now open for The Music Center’s Spotlight scholarship competition

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The Music Center invites all Southern California high school students interested in the performing arts to apply for The Music Center’s Spotlight, a free annual competition that provides more than $100,000 in performing arts scholarships and artistic development through auditions, feedback, and mastery classes taught by professional artists and arts administrators and performance opportunities at the West Coast’s leading performing arts destination. Applying for Spotlight is free; students with all skill levels are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is October 17, 2022.

The Music Center’s Spotlight is part of The Music Center’s commitment to helping all students gain outstanding arts learning experience in their schools and in the community. Spotlight is designed to help students explore their professional goals and increase their confidence through the audition process. 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, non-profit institutions and businesses.

Applicants must submit a video audition online and may apply to multiple categories, which include acting, ballet, classical instrumental, classical voice, dance, jazz instrumental and non-classical voice. They receive written feedback from a distinguished panel of judges, a certificate of achievement and also have the opportunity to gain valuable audition experience and knowledge in their disciplines through mastery classes and performances. Through a supportive environment, students can develop important life skills, including self‐esteem, preparation and perseverance.

The Music Center’s Spotlight is part of The Music Center’s commitment to helping all students gain outstanding arts learning experience in their schools and in the community. Spotlight is designed to help students explore their professional goals and increase their confidence through the audition process. 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, non-profit institutions and businesses.

Applicants must submit a video audition online and may apply to multiple categories, which include acting, ballet, classical instrumental, classical voice, dance, jazz instrumental and non-classical voice. They receive written feedback from a distinguished panel of judges, a certificate of achievement and also have the opportunity to gain valuable audition experience and knowledge in their disciplines through mastery classes and performances. Through a supportive environment, students can develop important life skills, including self‐esteem, preparation and perseverance.

The Music Center’s Spotlight process* is comprised of:
 

  • Preliminary 1 – First Round Auditions:  Students submit an online video audition in one or more of the following categories: acting, ballet, classical instrumental, classical voice, dance, jazz instrumental and non-classical voice. All who submit 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 who advance to this round will audition live before a panel of judges and receive personalized feedback from a panel of industry experts.
  • Semifinal – Master Classes/Auditions:  Sixteen Semifinalists in each category are invited to observe and participate in most mastery classes to gain feedback prior to their semifinal auditions. Eventually, two Grand Prize finalists and an Honorable Mention in each category will be announced after the semifinal auditions.
  • Grand Finale: Spotlight will conclude with a live Grand Finale evening performance. More details to be announced!

*Given circumstances around COVID-19, program elements and benefits are subject to change.

For more information, including details on how to apply in each category, visit musiccenter.org/spotlight.