Music Center Announces Spotlight Awards Finalists
For Immediate Release: March 26, 2009
12 Performing Arts Finalists and 4 Visual Arts Finalists Named
Los Angeles - The Music Center of Los Angeles County announced the 16 talented high school students chosen as finalists for the 21st annual Music Center Spotlight Awards. First place and runner-up in each category will be announced on stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Saturday, May 2, 2009.
Students were selected from among more than 2,332 Southern California applicants. 1,326 applicants auditioned in performing arts and 1,006 submitted artwork in visual arts. Two finalists are named in each of the following categories: ballet, non-classical dance, classical instrumental, jazz instrumental, classical voice, non-classical voice, 2-dimensional art, and photography.
All finalists were given the unique learning opportunity to meet and work with renowned artists and arts professionals who provided them with in-depth insight on technique, training, and professional life. This is a highlight of the Spotlight Program and helps the participating students better prepare for future opportunities in the arts.
The Music Center Spotlight Awards is one of the nation's most acclaimed performing and visual arts education programs for teens. It offers distinctive learning opportunities in the arts for all participants and awards over $100,000 in scholarships annually to finalists, semifinalists and participants who receive honorable mentions. The program has launched numerous professional careers-fifteen finalists are Presidential Scholars and many have joined or performed with professional companies including the Metropolitan Opera, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. Many alumni return to the program and participate as judges and master class instructors.
Fredric M. Roberts is founding chairman of the Music Center Spotlight Awards; Thomas Weinberger is chairman and Walter Grauman is creator/executive producer. The program is a project of the Fraternity of Friends, a volunteer membership organization of men who support the Music Center.
Bank of America is the principal corporate sponsor of the Music Center Spotlight Awards; additional support is provided by a generous grant from Helen and Peter Bing, Principal Program Benefactors.
For more information about the Music Center Spotlight Awards program, call 213-972-3300 or visit musiccenter.org
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