The Music Center’s Spotlight application deadline extended

The Music Center’s Spotlight, a free annual competition that provides more than $100,000 in performing arts scholarships and artistic development to Southern California high school students through auditions, feedback, and mastery classes taught by professional artists and arts administrators, has been extended to Friday, October 21, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Applying for Spotlight is free; students with all skill levels are encouraged to apply.

Whether or not you pursue a career onstage, offstage or something outside the arts, Spotlight can help you explore your professional goals and increase your confidence. Participating in Spotlight can help you gain self-esteem and build confidence by challenging you to step out of your comfort zone and shine a light on who you truly are. Spotlight alumni are dancing with the world’s best dance companies, performing with top orchestras, jamming in the leading jazz clubs, singing in the leading opera houses, and starring on Broadway! They’re also top executives behind-the-scenes in arts schools, non-profit organizations and cultural 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.

Available to view on-demand, The Spotlight Academy is an episodic series of online videos and tutorials, including an overall introduction to Spotlight; application rules for each of the seven categories; tips to create a great video audition; and topical episodes with guest experts including Superstore actress Carla Renata, opera singer Suzanna Guzmán, and New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck, among others.

Please note, Ballet & Dance students who will be attending a dance program away from home and outside of Southern California during the Spotlight year and whose parent(s) still live in Southern California may participate in Spotlight as long as they attend auditions, rehearsal and final performance if advancing to the Grand Finale Performance. Proof of study will be required from dance program. You may not be an apprentice or member of a professional dance company and participate in Spotlight. Additionally, you can not receive a salary from a dance company and participate in Spotlight.

For more information on The Music Center’s Spotlight, including details on how to apply in each category, visit musiccenter.org/spotlight.