Celebrate the Journey to Artistic Excellence 30th Anniversary Grand Finale Performance June 5, 2018 The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall
2018 Spotlight Grand Prize Finalists with Rachel Moore, Fred Roberts and Jeri Gaile
Celebrate 30 Years of Excellence The Music Center’s Spotlight program is a journey to excellence that guides young artists to focus their passions, to strive and to succeed. Since 1988, Southern California high school students have come to The Music Center for world-class arts training, scholarships and college and career guidance — at no cost to them. Acting • Ballet • Classical Instrumental • Classical Voice • Jazz Instrumental Non-classical Dance • Non-Classical Voice Join The Music Center as we develop tomorrow’s outstanding artists and leaders. To learn more or get involved, please contact Laura Recchi at (213) 972-4344 or spotlightsupport@musiccenter.org, or visit musiccenter.org/spotlight.
More than $2.2 million awarded in scholarships. More than 42,000 alumni including Misty Copeland, Josh Groban, Miles Mosley, Danielle de Niese, Adam Lambert, Erin Mackey, Liang Wang, Lindsay Mendez and Matthew Rushing.
NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
It is my sincere pleasure to welcome you to the 30th anniversary of The Music Center’s Spotlight, our nationally acclaimed scholarship and arts training program. Spotlight is near and dear to my heart. As both an artist and an arts administrator, I know how critically important it is to help young people reach their full potential no matter their artistic dream. Spotlight empowers students by emphasizing preparation, courage, critical thinking and perseverance and provides an invaluable opportunity for high school students to hone their skills. From college and career workshops, to live auditions and master classes with world-class artists, the year-long program is offered FREE to students of all skill levels. Perhaps most significantly, Spotlight helps reinforce the value of arts education for students, their dedicated teachers and families, as well as their friends and peers. This year, more than 1,400 high school students from across Southern California participated in Spotlight. Each has had the chance to learn and grow by leaps and bounds. We salute these young artists, applaud the loving parents and family members who support them and the
outstanding arts teachers who have helped them reach such remarkable levels of achievement. Tonight, we honor our Founding Chairman Fred Roberts and 30 years of transforming lives through Spotlight. We share his great sense of pride as we consider the tens of thousands of young artists who have benefited from this unique mentorship and learning opportunity. We also salute our key supporters, without whom none of this would be possible. Bank of America, Helen and Peter Bing, Tim Wahl and Julia Strickland, Edgerton Foundation, Jerry and Terri Kohl and The Music Center Leadership Council have all provided generous lead sponsorship of Spotlight. It is through their leadership that Spotlight is positioned for continued success. I know the Grand Finale Performance will be an extra special treat. I hope you enjoy this wonderful evening of outstanding performances as we celebrate 30 years of Spotlight.
Rachel M. Moore President & CEO, The Music Center 1
Alluring audiences with emotionally tinged performances has been the signature of Angela Bassett, who personifies a sense of dignity and pride whenever she appears on screen. Her talent and abilities as an actress, director and executive producer in both television and film have garnered well-deserved respect and acclaim from peers and fans; proving her to be one of the industry’s premier leading ladies. This season Angela stars in Ryan Coogler’s highly acclaimed Black Panther with Chadwick Boseman, Sterling K. Brown, and Lupita Nyong’o; and in Mission: Impossible-Fallout with Tom Cruise. She also executive produced and starred in 9-1-1, Ryan Murphy’s newest hit series for Fox; and showcased her directing talents in American Horror Story: Cult. Angela and her husband, actor Courtney B. Vance co-wrote the book, Friends: A Love Story. The inspirational book is the real-life love story of Bassett and Vance, who were friends for many years before marrying. The couple resides outside of Los Angeles with their 12-year-old twins, Bronwyn Golden and Slater Josiah. The Music Center is honored to have Ms. Bassett as host for this year’s Spotlight Grand Finale Performance.
LISA SPECHT Board Chair The Music Center RACHEL S. MOORE President and CEO The Music Center JERI GAILE Producer; Director, Spotlight MICHAEL SOLOMON Producer with ANGELA BASSETT Mistress of Ceremonies and JAMEY TATE Musical Director Spotlight Orchestra
30th Anniversary Advisory Committee TIMOTHY S. WAHL Spotlight Advisory Committee, Chair PAMELA AND DENNIS BECK Finale Dinner Chairs MICHAEL PAGANO President, The Music Center Leadership Council ARTHUR D. KRAUS Chair, The Music Center Leadership Council FREDRIC M. ROBERTS Founding Chairman, Spotlight WALTER GRAUMAN Creator, Spotlight
Sydney Dardis, Classical Voice, 2016
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PROGRAM
30th Anniversary Grand Finale Performance June 5, 2018
Performers listed in order of appearance 1 JADEN BARBA NON-CLASSICAL DANCE The Best is Yet to Come Music by: Michael Bublé Lyrics by: Frank Sinatra Choreography by: Jimmy Peters
KATELYN HUNTER NON-CLASSICAL VOICE The Nearness of You Music by: Hoagy Carmichael Lyrics by: Ned Washington Arranged by: Jamey Tate 2
3 AVIVA GELFER-MÜNDL BALLET Paquita Pas de Trois, 1st Female Variation From the Ballet: Paquita Choreography by: Marius Petipa 4 MICHAEL McDERMOTT CLASSICAL VOICE Go, Lovely Rose Composed by: Roger Quilter Written by: Edmund Waller Accompanied by: Dr. Louise Thomas 5 HANNAH FRANKLIN ACTING King Hedley II Character: Tonya Written by: August Wilson 6 JONAH GOLDSTEIN JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL Backwards Bop Composed by: Billy Childs Arranged by: Jamey Tate Accompanied by: Mitch Forman, Piano David Hughes, Bass Jamey Tate, Drums
ERIN MACKEY ALUMNI PERFORMANCE This Is All Very New To Me Lyrics by: Arnold B. Horwitt Music by: Albert Hague Wonderful Guy Lyrics by: Oscar Hammerstein II Music by: Richard Rodgers 7
The taking of photographs and video or audio recording during performances is strictly prohibited.
8 ANNETTE LEE CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL Birds in Winter Composed by: Michael Mauldin
9 KJ POWELL ACTING Seven Guitars Character: Carewell Written by: August Wilson 10 ETHAN MOFFITT JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL Nobody Else But Me Composed by: Jerome Kern Arranged by: Jamey Tate Accompanied by: Mitch Forman, Piano David Hughes, Bass Jamey Tate, Drums
NICOLE DENNEY BALLET Female variation from Paquita From the Ballet: Paquita Choreography by: Marius Petipa 11
AUBREY MATALON NON-CLASSICAL VOICE No One Else from the musical Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 Music and Lyrics by: Dave Malloy Arranged by: Jamey Tate 12
MATTHEW RUSHING ALUMNI PERFORMANCE Triumph of a Heart Music by: Hugh Masekela (Unhome) Choreography by: Jamar Roberts 13
14 ARIANA PRAPPAS CLASSICAL VOICE Love’s Philosophy Composed by: Roger Quilter Written by: Percy Shelley Accompanied by: Dr. Louise Thomas 15 MARCUS SARJEANT NON-CLASSICAL DANCE I’ll Keep Coming Music by: Low Roar Choreograpy by: Jessie Riley 16 TYLER KIM CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL Hungarian Rhapsody No.12 Composed by: Franz Liszt
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ABOUT OUR FOUNDING CHAIRMAN
Roberts with 2003 Spotlight Finalists.
FRED ROBERTS As Founding Chairman of Spotlight since its inception, Fred Roberts led campaigns to provide the funding needed to grow and sustain the Spotlight program, and he continues to advise The Music Center to this day. In addition to embracing the fundraising challenge, Fred developed strategic and operating plans. He took what had started as a scholarship competition and built it into a major education initiative.
“ In every high school, there’s a sports hero. We need to create violin heroes.”
He recently reflected on the most meaningful aspect of getting involved. “One of the best parts of this program is the immense pride that we all feel to see the successes of these students. And not just the ones who are in the final performance; so many thousands of students have improved their lives, become better citizens, and become more successful in many areas. It’s enormously fulfilling, and it’s the greatest gift we can all get from this program.” In addition to impacting individual students, Fred always saw Spotlight as a way to raise the profile of the arts in the high schools of Southern California. When asked to summarize that vision, he has often responded, “In every high school, there’s a sports hero. We need to create violin heroes.” Fred is not only a believer in the power of the arts to transform lives, he is a living example of it. After 30 years in finance, including
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running his own investment banking firm and acting as Chairman of the NASD, which owned and operated The Nasdaq Stock Market, Fred became a professional photographer. He published three collections of photographs, which have been recognized by publications including The New York Times. His work has been exhibited at the United Nations and in museums and galleries worldwide. With this newfound passion came the desire to inspire others. He now dedicates most of his time to operating photography workshops for high school students around the world, most of whom have never held a camera, primarily in developing countries. The students learn photography skills, but, most importantly, they are empowered to express themselves and tell the stories of their families and communities. Fred has made it his mission to give young people a voice and instill in them a sense of purpose and pride through training in the arts. Tonight, while he is teaching a new group of students in Mombasa, we celebrate his passionate advocacy here at his Music Center home. In the words of Spotlight Director Jeri Gaile, “He is the heart of the program and the compass on what is right, and how to do it, so that we truly make a difference in children’s lives.”
2018 SPOTLIGHT PROGRAM SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS Helen and Peter Bing
Principal Benefactors The Music Center Leadership Council
Edgerton Foundation
Fredric M. Roberts
Jerry and Terri Kohl Family Foundation
Julia Strickland and Timothy S. Wahl
Workforce Development
Non Classical Voice Sponsor Frank Sherwood Performing Arts Fund Benefactor Shelby Notkin
Visionaries Pamela and Dennis Beck
Glorya Kaufman Dance Foundation
Dorothy B. Chandler Program Fund
Anita Mann Kohl and Allen D Kohl
Lee Graff Foundation
Alyce Williamson
General Program Support
General Program Support
Innovators Gay and Harry Abrams/ Abrams Artists Agency James A. Doolittle Foundation The Dorskind Family Foundation Munger, Tolles, & Olson LLP Rose and Michael Pagano James B. Pendleton Foundation, Non-Classical Dance Marie H. Song I.N. and Susanna H. Van Nuys Foundation Leslie Vermut and Thomas Weinberger
C. Corwin Fund, Classical Instrumental Helen Funai Erickson Hub International of California Insurance Services, Inc. Randi and Richard Jones Rini and Art Kraus Marla and Cary Lefton Cathy and Mark Louchheim Nancy and Patrick McCabe Diane Medina Rosemary Ringwald
Ambassadors Maria V. Altmann Foundation, Classical Voice Anonymous The Dorothy and Sherrill
Gifts as of May 16, 2018
Jazz Instrumental Support
Nadine and Harold Davidson Liz Levitt Hirsch Hollywood Foreign Press Association Jane Jelenko Anita and Fred Kemmerling Kirk Luetkehans Marlene and William Louchheim Nigel Lythgoe Beth and Leslie Michelson Cindy Miscikowski Morrison & Foerster Foundation Patrons Carol and Jerome Muchin Charlene Achki-Repko Ann and Greg Myer Dean Ambrose Phyllis Parvin Shirley Ashkenas Judith and Thomas Beckmen Judith Reichman Lisa Specht Joan and Allan Burns The Capital Group Companies/Kimaada Brown Special thanks to: The Colburn Foundation
Reception Sponsor
Eva and Marc Stern Gladys Turk Foundation Elinor and Rubin Turner Supporters Howard Banchik Dr. Paul M. Beigelman Michael Dreyer Roberta and Bruce Hammer LSMK Investments Alan Oppenheimer Nina and Leo Pircher Sheila and Wally Weisman Rodriguez, Horii, Choi & Cafferata LLP Peggy and Harvey Saferstein Joan and Arnold Seidel 30th Anniversary Finale Dinner tabletop dĂŠcor generously provided by:
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FINALIST BIOGRAPHIES
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JADEN BARBA (Non-Classical Dance) 15, is a freshman at Temecula Valley High School where he serves on the Associated Student Body council. He is a member of the Temecula Dance Company. Awards in 2018 include: YoungArts, Jazz Dance Finalist; Dance Educators of America, National Directors Award, contemporary solo. Scholarships include: Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz/Contemporary Intensive. Jaden appeared on the first season of NBC’s new show World of Dance with the Boys of Temecula dance ensemble. He thanks his incredible mentors Jimmy Peters and Erik Saradapon. His dream is to go to college, dance in NYC and pursue a career on Broadway. This is Jaden’s first year participating in Spotlight.
JONAH GOLDSTEIN (Jazz Instrumental) 18, is a senior at Agoura High School. He has studied music at LACHSA, Stanford Jazz Institute, the Colburn School of Music, Grammy Camp, and with countless mentors and teachers, most notably with Joe DiBlasi. Jonah has performed with Jazz, Rock, Blues, Pop, and Hip-Hop groups in venues and clubs across Southern California. He also writes music for these groups. 2018 Honors include: YoungArts Merit winner; Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association Honors Jazz Band; Ventura Youth Jazz competition Semifinalist; and Tri M Honors Society for Music. Jonah will attend The New School for jazz in the fall. This is Jonah’s first year participating in Spotlight.
NICOLE DENNEY (Ballet) 16, a sophomore honors student at San Clemente High School. She trains with Dmitri and Jennfier Kulev at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy. In 2017 and 2018, Nicole won the Youth American Grand Prix’s Grand Prix Award, L.A. Regionals, and Top Twelve in the New York Finals. She was also a Spotlight Non-Classical Dance Semifinalist. Scholarships include: The School of American Ballet, 20142016, San Francisco Ballet and Harid Conservatory summer intensives. Roles include: The Nutcracker, Sugar Plum; George Balanchine Serenade, The Russian Girl; and Valse Fantasies. Nicole thanks the Kulevs for her training and her family. This is Nicole’s second year participating in Spotlight.
KATELYN HUNTER (Non-Classical Voice) 17, is a junior honors student at Cerritos High School where she has been an Associated Student Body member for the past three years. She studies voice with Gary Matsumoto. Honors include: the President’s Education Award for outstanding academic achievement; 4th place in The Charles (Dolo) Coker Jazz Scholarship Foundation competition, becoming the only high school student to place; Spotlight Non-Classical Voice Semifinalist, 2016 and 2017; and NAACP ACT-SO Program Gold Medalist, Contemporary Voice, 2016 and 2017. Katelyn is a lead vocalist for Jazz America which performs at the Central Avenue Jazz Festival. This is Katelyn’s third year participating in Spotlight.
HANNAH FRANKLIN (Acting) 17, is a junior at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) in the Acting Conservatory. She also studies acting with Lea Floden, voice with Michael Stevens, and musical theatre at the Colburn School. Hannah won first place in Center Theatre Group’s August Wilson Monologue Regional Competition, 2018. Roles include: Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Agate in Waiting for Lefty, Martha in Spring Awakening, and Maureen in Rent. She wishes to thank Lea, Michael, her family, and OCSA for all of their support. Hannah dreams of acting on film, Broadway or the West End. This is Hannah’s third year participating in Spotlight.
TYLER KIM (Classical Instrumental) 15, is a freshman at Temecula Valley High School. Tyler studies piano with Myong-Joo Lee and Fabio Bidini at the Colburn Music Academy. He has performed as a soloist with various orchestras including the San Diego Symphony, Viennese International Orchestra, Alicante Symphony Orchestra, and Montgomery Symphony Orchestra. 2017 Honors include: Music Teachers National Association’s California State Title; 1st place at the Mondavi Young Artists Competition; and 1st place at the Blount-Slawson Young Artists Competition. Performing motivates Tyler to practice and strive to be a better musician. Tyler lives with his parents, little sister, and dog, Happy. This is Tyler’s first year participating in Spotlight.
AVIVA GELFER-MÜNDL (Ballet) 16, is a junior honors student at Arnold O. Beckman High School and Tustin Connect. She is coached by Alla Khaniashvili and Nazgul Ryskulova-Shinn, and trains at Marat Daukayev School of Ballet and V&T Classical Ballet Academy. This year Aviva was the only American winner of the Prix de Lausanne, Switzerland, and was Youth American Grand Prix European Semifinals, Paris, senior division winner. Scholarships and acceptances include: The Royal Ballet School, Paris Opera Ballet School, John Cranko Ballet School, and American Ballet Theater Studio Company. Aviva will be attending Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, in the fall. This is Aviva’s second year participating in Spotlight.
ANNETTE LEE (Classical Instrumental) 16, is a junior at Polytechnic School. She studies the harp with Paul Baker and JoAnn Turovsky. Annette participates in her school orchestra and Bliss Youth Orchestra. She has performed with Glendale Youth Orchestra, Idyllwild Youth Orchestra, Redlands Harp Ensemble, Open Academy Youth Orchestra, and Artes Vocales. Honors include: National YoungArts Foundation Classical Music Finalist, 2018; American Harp Society National Competition first prize and Libby Larson special prize winner, 2017; Spotlight Classical Instrumental Semifinalist, 2017; California American String Teachers Association (ASTA) state competition and ASTA winner; and Valeria Finzi Scholarship competition five-time winner. This is Annette’s second year participating in Spotlight.
FINALIST BIOGRAPHIES AUBREY MATALON (Non-Classical Voice) 16, is a junior at Notre Dame High School, where she is involved in the theatre program. She studies voice with Kevin Owers. Aubrey’s past roles include Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. Aubrey has participated in Broadway Dreams in New York and Los Angeles since 2016. In the fall of 2017, she was lucky enough to be chosen for the Broadway Dreams New York showcase. She also attended a summer intensive for musical theatre at Arts Educational School, London. Aubrey would like to thank her parents and her voice teacher. This is Aubrey’s first year participating in Spotlight.
K. J. POWELL (Acting) 18, is a senior at John Burroughs High School (JBHS), where he is a Play Production member. He has trained at Lisa Picotte’s Young Actor’s Workspace. TV/Roles include: Marshall on Henry Danger; Young Bernard Hopkins in CHAMPS; Young Charles in First. Honors include: Center Theatre Group’s August Wilson Monologue Competition, LA Regional Finalist, 2018; California Educational Theatre Association’s Best Mainstage Performer, 2018; Best Supporting Actor, JBHS, 2017; Best Supporting Actor, Biblical Films, 2016; and Best Monologue, JBHS, 2014. K.J. would like to thank God, his parents, sisters, teachers and mentors for guiding him along his journey. This is K. J.’s second year participating in Spotlight.
MICHAEL McDERMOTT (Classical Voice) 18, graduated early from Pacific Coast High School in January. He studies voice with Patrick Goeser. Michael participated as a high school student in the Chapman University U-Choir and U-Singers. Honors include: National Association of Teachers of Singing Classical Singer winner, 2016, and Spotlight Classical Voice Semifinalist, 2017. Michael’s dream is to sing in every opera house in the world and inspire people to love opera. He would like to thank his mother for all of her love and support and Patrick Goeser for changing his life and instrument. He will attend The Juilliard School in the fall. This is Michael’s second year participating in Spotlight.
ARIANA PRAPPAS (Classical Voice) 17, is a senior at San Marino High School where she is Chapter President of the International Thespian Honor Society and Captain of Comedy Sportz. She studies voice with Wendy Pylko. Ariana was a National Classical Singer Vocal Competition classical and non-classical voice semifinalist and a Jerry Herman Award Finalist, 2017. Roles include: Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Rona in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Fastrada in Pippin. Ariana received a Distinguished Drama Award from Syracuse University and will study Musical Theater there in the fall. This is Ariana’s fourth year participating in Spotlight.
ETHAN MOFFITT (Jazz Instrumental) 17, is a senior at Verdugo Academy. He studies double bass with Dr. David H. Young and Peter Lloyd, composition with Michael McLean, orchestral conducting with Maxim Eshkenazy, and music theory with Kathy Sawada. Honors include: National YoungArts Finalist, 2018, and Merit Award, 2017, in Jazz Bass; Herb Pomeroy Jazz Composition and Arranging Contest, first place, 2018 and 2017; Dr. J. Douglas White Essentially Ellington Student Composition/Arranging Contest. His composition was performed by the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra and recorded by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, directed by Wynton Marsalis; and Monterey Next Generation Jazz Soloist Award, 2017. This is Ethan’s second year participating in Spotlight.
MARCUS SARJEANT (Non-Classical Dance) 17, is a senior at Orange County School of the Arts in the Commercial Dance Conservatory. He trains at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy and at Westside Dance Project with Jessie Riley. Marcus is inspired by his amazing circle of talented dance friends who motivate him to keep working hard to reach his dance dreams. Scholarships include: Break the Floor, Tremaine, LADM, Joffrey Ballet, and Laguna Dance Festival. He was named 2017 Orange County Register Top 10 Artists of the Year. Marcus is also a company member of BalletRED, created by Josie Walsh. This is Marcus’s first year participating in Spotlight.
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ALUMNI UPDATES: WHERE ARE THEY NOW
2016
Rhenzy Feliz Series regular on the hit TV series Marvel’s Runaways on Hulu 2013
Veronica Dunne Series regular on Disney’s K.C. Undercover 2010
Eleanor Dunbar Joined Dallas String Quartet
2006
Han Bin Yoon Soloist at Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth in Belgium 2000
Adam Lambert Touring internationally with Queen
1998
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Max Levinson Chair of the Piano Department at the Boston Conservatory; faculty New England Conservatory
2016
Ben Ross Lead in the National Tour of Dear Evan Hanson
2011
Sam Zaldivar Joined Royal Danish Ballet
2009
Michelle Tseng Joined LA Phil, Second Violinist
2005
Nathan Riley National Tour — Beautiful, The Carole King Musical 2000
Lindsay Mendez Tonynominated for her role in Carousel on Broadway 1995
Jamal Story Starring on Broadway in Motown the Musical
2015
Genevieve Waldorf Joined Pacific Northwest Ballet
2011
Geoff Hahn Joined Houston Grand Opera Studio
2009
Sean Plumb Baritone at Bayerische Staatsoper; Winner Metropolitan Grand Opera Council Auditions 2004
Kris Bowers Emmy Award Winner; composer at Netflix’s Dear White People 1999
Ashley Ellis Principal Dancer with Boston Ballet
1995
Danielle de Niese Convent Garden, Royal Opera House, La Bohême (June 2018)
2015
Lex Ishimoto 1st place on So You Think You Can Dance, Season 14 2010
Kyle Selig Starring on Broadway in Mean Girls
2009
Joshua Crumbly Coachella with Kamasi Washington
2003
Jennifer Stahl Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet 1998
Miles Mosley Recording and Touring Artist
1995
Amrapali Ambegaokar starring roles on TV’s Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, The Mindy Project, Mistresses
2014
Nicole Ishimaru Joined Nederlands Dans Theater 2
2010
Johnathan McCullogh Starring in Opera Philadelphia’s Carmen 2007
Anna Schubert Member of Los Angeles Master Chorale
2003
Zane Carney On tour with Johnny Lang and Rachel Evan Wood 1998
Misty Copeland Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre 1992
Joshua Winograde The Metropolitan Opera: Associate Artistic Administrator and Director, National Council Auditions
TONIGHT’S ALUMNI PERFORMERS
ERIN MACKEY Non-Classical Voice, 2003 Erin Mackey has appeared on Broadway in In Transit as Ali, Amazing Grace as Mary Catlett, Chaplin as Oona O’Neill, Anything Goes as Hope Harcourt, Sondheim on Sondheim as herself, and Wicked as Glinda. She also appeared as Glinda in the Los Angeles and Chicago companies of Wicked. She played Johanna in the New York Philharmonic’s production of Sweeney Todd at Lincoln Center, which was also broadcast on PBS. Regionally, she has performed at the Guthrie Theater (Sunday in the Park with George as Dot and South Pacific as Nellie), Paper Mill Playhouse (South Pacific as Nellie, Annie as Grace Farrell), South Coast Repertory (The Light in the Piazza as Clara), Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (Phantom as Christine), and Encores! (Lady Be Good as Shirley). Her film and television credits include The Intern, The Parent Trap, Blue Bloods and Gossip Girl. She has performed in concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cleveland Pops, the Long Beach Symphony and the Florida Orchestra and can be heard on the original cast albums of In Transit, Amazing Grace, Chaplin, Sondheim on Sondheim and Lady Be Good. She is originally from Fullerton, CA and won The Music Center’s Spotlight Award for Non-Classical Voice in 2003.
MATTHEW RUSHING Non-Classical Dance, 1991 Matthew Rushing was born in Los Angeles, CA. He began his dance training with Kashmir Blake in Inglewood, CA and later continued his training at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. He is the recipient of a Spotlight Award and Dance Magazine Award and was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. He was a scholarship student at The Ailey School and later became a member of Ailey II, where he danced for a year. He joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1992 and became Rehearsal Director in June 2010. During his career, he has performed as a guest artist for galas in Vail, Colorado, as well as in Austria, Canada, France, Italy, and Russia. He has performed for Presidents George H. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as at the 2010 White House Dance Series. During his time with the Company he has choreographed three ballets: Acceptance In Surrender (2005), a collaboration with Hope Boykin and Abdur Rahim-Jackson, and Uptown (2009), a tribute to the Harlem Renaissance, and ODETTA (2014), a celebration of “The queen of American folk.” In 2012, he created Moan, which was set on Philadanco and premiered at The Joyce Theater. 9
SEMIFINALISTS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS SEMIFINALISTS
Ari Chais
Alissa Goretsky
Kristi Kim
Ashley Lew
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Quinn Martin
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Nick Moseley
Aaliyah Zolina
ACTING
CLASSICAL VOICE
NON-CLASSICAL VOICE
Zoe D'Andrea Kate Froemmling Cecilia Harchegani Rachel Johnson Evan Klein Lucy Krubiner Matthew Limas Quinn Martin Nick Moseley* Miles Ogron Tali Papouchado Natasha Partnoy Moira Rogers McKenna Wells
August Bagg Caspar Carter Yanxiao (Cathy) Chen Alissa Goretsky* Sage Henriksen Olivia Iacono Maggie Liu Eilyssa Maclean Niko Mancera Julio Martinez Claire Miranda Blake Stevenson Sophia Strobel Julia Timmons
Roberta Alaman Cheyenne Arroyo Siena Avila Zoe D'Andrea Zachary Fogel Salima Gangani Hannah Kanter Jacob Kent Kira Levin Quinn Martin* Olivia Morgan Olivia Rybus Finnian Sagal Valentina Shelton
BALLET
JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL
*Honorable Mention
Mia Benitez Erin Blair Bela Erlandson Arthur Erlanson Isabella Franco Stephen Kessler Ashley Lew* Carlos Alejandro Martinez Espinosa Jacob Ray Sophie Savas-Carstens Taylor Tran Lily Turner Jessalyn Ward Mirabelle Weinbach Sorcha Whitley
Ethan Avery Dario Bizio Will Brownstein Ari Chais* James Day Benjamin Farahi Dalton Hayse Austin Kim Jay Nelson Caleb Ossmann Jordan Reifkind Jacob Shneiderman Mark Valdes
CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL Emily Angstreich Sung Chi (Dorson) Chang Kevin Cho Sedona Farber Samuel Glicklich Kristi Kim* Jessica Lee Javier Morales-Martinez Andre Nguyen Anoush Pogossian Ilana Shapiro Kevin Song Allison To Jenny Yoon
NON-CLASSICAL DANCE Maya Alvarez-Coyne Savoy Bailey Rylee Clark Jordan Demary Elizabeth Demuth Nicole Denney Aviva Gelfer-Mundl Georgia Harris RJ Higton Lilah Horton Mason Idler Claire Lucas Khalif Morgan Aria Terango Aaliyah Zolina*
Scenes from the Spotlight journey: master classes, auditions, workshops and performances. 11
A NOTE FROM OUR CHAIR
Ignite the Journey to a Brighter Future.
For 30 years, it has been our honor and privilege at The Music Center to nurture young artists and support their journeys through the Spotlight program. As you marvel at the abilities of tonight’s performers, know that even the most talented and dedicated young people need guidance and encouragement to achieve their dreams. The finalists this evening each represent more than a hundred others who grew as artists and professionals through personalized coaching, and even more who learned about college and career opportunities at the Spotlight Academy and in their schools. Since 1988, Spotlight has provided unforgettable learning experiences to more than 42,000 alumni who have achieved success in the arts, business, technology, medicine, and education. Today, we are committed to growing the Spotlight program even further, particularly our programs in schools in underserved areas. Thank you for helping us cultivate the next generation of artists and creative leaders. Timothy S. Wahl 30th Anniversary Chair, Spotlight
Julia Strickland and Tim Wahl
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
THE MUSIC CENTER’S SPOTLIGHT PROGRAM: A SPOTLIGHT ON LEARNING
The mission of The Music Center’s Spotlight program (Spotlight) is to provide a supportive environment in which high school students can develop the skills needed to pursue their dreams, with an emphasis on self-esteem, preparation and perseverance. Spotlight is a key part of The Music Center’s commitment to promoting artistic excellence and advancing quality arts education. Whether or not these students pursue a career in the arts, the Spotlight program empowers them with the confidence and presentation skills to pursue their dreams in any field. Tonight’s performance is the culmination of an intensive, year-long educational process that includes following components:
AUDITION PROCESS PRELIMINARY AUDITIONS The Spotlight performance categories are acting, ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental and jazz instrumental. Students submit audition videos and advance to live auditions based on the recommendations of distinguished panels of judges. Each student who auditions receives a personal letter with detailed feedback from the judges, identifying his or her strengths and suggesting areas for improvement. Cash scholarships called Merit Awards are provided to five students in each category who do not advance to the Semifinals. SEMIFINAL AUDITIONS In the spring, the Semifinalists return to audition before another panel of expert judges. Each Semifinalist receives written detailed feedback and a cash scholarship in recognition of achievement in the program. For more information about The Music Center’s Spotlight program, visit musiccenter.org or email spotlight@musiccenter.org.
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
MASTER CLASSES
Each year, we present master classes for our Semifinalists with renowned artists in all categories of Spotlight. Some classes are private, however many are open to all participating students to observe. The master classes are designed to help students develop artistry and musicality, while giving students the opportunity to learn from distinguished and celebrated teachers. This year’s master classes featured Broadway star Jason Graae, LA Phil’s Associate Concert Master Bing Wang, Broadway director Coy Middlebrook, International opera star and USC faculty member Thomas Michael Allen and The Joffrey Ballet’s Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater. Past teachers have included alum and Cliburn Award recipient, Sean Chen; Artistic Director, San Francisco Ballet, Helgi Tomasson, Metropolitan Opera star Cynthia Munzer, Artistic Director (Abraham.In.Motion and Choreographer) Kyle Abraham, Jazz recording artist and Professor Ronald McCurdy, and Broadway legend Karen Morrow, just to name a few.
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
SPOTLIGHT ACADEMY The Spotlight Academy is presented each fall for over 500 students, parents and teachers to come to The Music Center for a day of free workshops and seminars. The goal of the academy is to help students prepare for the future, whether their aim is to have a career on stage or not. Each performing arts discipline is represented with classes on subjects like:
The Nuts and Bolts of Paying for College & Financial Readiness
Headshots, Casting & Interviews for College & Career
What You Can Do With a Music Degree?
What I Wish I Would Have Known Before Going To College!
What are College Audition Panels Looking For?
How To Make A Great Audition Video for Spotlight and College
For dancers: College, Commercial, Companies, Agents, Auditioning, Audition videos, and Artistry
How to Deal with Nerves in Interviews & Performances
Choosing material which helps you shine while prepping for successful interviews.
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
SPOTLIGHT IN SCHOOLS As part of The Music Center and Spotlight’s commitment to youth development initiatives, we are presenting the Spotlight in Schools — a program that brings panels into schools to introduce students to careers in the arts and arts-adjacent fields through discussion. The goal of the Spotlight in Schools is to help students think outside the box and explore college and career pathways, while learning about a broad range of fields such as arts administration, event planning, fundraising, careers backstage and programming.
The goal is to really meet students “where they are.” Aside from exploring job descriptions, the interactive dialogue between panelists and students explores personal stories involving challenges, adversity and career paths. The students learn about the pros and cons of specific jobs, how college shapes you, skills acquired in school and the skills needed to join the workforce, as well as how you continue to grow and develop as a working professional.
For more information on how you can have your school or organization participate in Spotlight in Schools, contact spotlight@musiccenter.org 16
2018 SPOTLIGHT SCHOOLS & TEACHERS SPOTLIGHT APPLICANT HIGH SCHOOLS
Academy of Medical Arts Academy of Our Lady of Peace Adolfo Camarillo High School Agoura High School Alexander Hamilton Senior High School Aliso Niguel High School Alta Vista High School Alverno High School American University Preparatory School Arcadia High School Archer School for Girls The Arlington High School Arnold O. Beckman High School ArTES Magnet High School Ayala High School Baldwin Park High School Bellflower High School Beverly Hills High School Bolsa Grande High School Brentwood High School Brethren Christian Junior/ Senior High School Brighton Hall Buckley School Burbank High School Calabasas High School California Academy of Math and Science California Preparatory Academy California School of the Arts California Virtual Academy Calvary Murrieta Christian Academy Calvary Murrieta Christian School Campbell Hall Canyon Crest Academy Canyon High School — Anaheim Canyon Springs High School Capistrano Connections Academy Capistrano Valley Christian Schools Carlsbad High School Carson Senior High School Ceaser Chavez Learning Academies Century Academy Cerritos High School Chadwick School Chaminade College Preparatory Chaminade College Preparatory High School Champs Charter High School of the Arts Charter Oak High School Chino Hills High School CIS Academy Citrus Valley High School City of Angels Claremont High School Classical Academy High School Cleveland High School Coast High School Colburn Music Academy Cornerstone Christian School Corona del Mar High School Crean Lutheran High School Crescenta Valley High School Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences Culver City High School Dana Hills High School Del Norte High School Desert High School Diamond Bar High School Diamond Ranch High School Dos Pueblos High School Downey High School Downtown Magnets High School Eagle Rock High School Eastlake High School Eisenhower High School El Camino Real High School El Modena High School El Segundo High School El Toro High School Elsinore High School Encore High School for the Arts Encore High School for the Performing & Visual Arts Esperanza High School Esteban E Torres High School Excellence in Education Academy Flintridge Preparatory School Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Foothill High School Fountain Valley High School Francis W. Parker School Fullerton Union High School Gabrielino High School Gahr High School Glen A. Wilson High School Granada Hills Charter High School Great Oak High School Hamilton High School Harid Conservatory Boca Raton Florida HArts Academy Harvard-Westlake Henry J. Kaiser High School High Tech High North County
Hillcrest Christian School Huntington Beach High School Idyllwild Arts Academy Immaculate Heart High School Independence High School IQ Academy California Irvine High School John Burroughs High School JSerra Catholic High School Kaiser High School Katella High School La Canada High School La Costa Canyon High School La Habra High School La Quinta High School La Reina High School La Salle High School La Serna High Laguna Beach High School Laguna Hills High School Lakeside High School Lancaster Baptist High School Larchmont Charter School Laurel Springs School Legacy Visual and Performing Arts High School Long Beach Polytechnic High School Los Alamitos High School Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Los Angeles High School of the Arts Los Osos High School Lutheran High School of Orange County Lycee International de Los Angeles Malibu High School Maranatha High School Marina High School Mark Keppel High School Marlborough School Martin Luther King High School Marymount High School Mater Dei High School Mayfair High School Mayfield Senior School of the Holy Child Jesus Milken Community High School Millikan High School Mira Costa High School Mission Hills High School Mission Viejo High School Mission View Monrovia High School Moorpark High School Mountain View High School Mt. Everest Academy Murrieta Valley High School Neilson Academy New Roads High School Newbury Park High School Nordhoff High School North (John W.) High School Northwood High School Norwalk High School Notre Dame Academy Notre Dame High School Oak Hills High School Oak Park High School Oak Park Independent High School Oaks Christian High School Oakwood Secondary Opportunities for Learning Orange County School of the Arts Pacific Academy, Irvine Pacific Coast High School Pacific Palisades Charter High School Pacifica Christian High School Palisades Charter High School Palm Springs High School Paloma Valley High School Palos Verdes High School Palos Verdes Peninsula High School Point Loma High School Polytechnic High School Port of Los Angeles High School Poway High School Providence High School Ramon C. Cortines High School Ramona High School Rancho Campana High School Redondo Union High School Renaissance High School for the Arts Richard Gahr High School Ridgeview High School Rio Mesa High School River Springs Charter School Rolling Hills Preparatory School Rowland (John A.) High School Sage Hill School Saint Anthony High School Saint Joseph High School San Clemente High School San Diego School of Creative & Performing Arts San Dimas High School
San Jacinto Valley Academy San Juan Hills High School San Marino High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School Santa Monica High School Santa Susana High School Saugus High School Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Sierra Canyon Silverado High School Simi Valley High School Sky Mountain Charter South High School South Pasadena High School St. Francis High School St. Margaret’s Episcopal High School St. Monica Academy Stanford Online High School Taft High School Temecula Valley High School Temple City High School Tesoro High School The Bishop’s School Will Parsons Thomas Jefferson Senior High School Torrance High School Torrey Pines High School Trabuco Hills High School Troy High School University High School (Irvine) University High School (Los Angeles) Upland High School Valencia High School Van Nuys Senior High School Vaughn International Studies Academy Venice High School Ventura High School Verdugo Academy Verdugo Hills High School Viewpoint School Villa Park High School Village Christian Schools Vista Murrieta High School Vistamar School Walnut High School West High School West Ranch High School Western Center Academy Westlake High School Westridge School Whitney High School Wildwood Secondary School William Workman High School Windward School Woodbridge High School Woodrow Wilson High School Yorba Linda High School
SEMIFINALIST PERFORMING ARTS PRIVATE TEACHERS
Stephanie Abrams, Dance Anne Adair, Dance Debbie Allen, Dance Jeff Amsden, Dance Chloe Arnold, Dance Jaclyn Attefat, Dance Paul Baker, Instrumental Melissa Barak, Dance Scott Barnhardt, Vocal Amelia Barron, Vocal Gloria Bennett, Vocal Fabio Bidini, Instrumental Renato Biribin, Acting Andy Boettner, Vocal Andrea Brache, Dance Dr. Jeff Brookey, Vocal Vera Calabria, Acting Melissa Lyons Caldretti, Vocal Francisco Calvo, Vocal Abby Carlson, Vocal Caley Carr, Dance Yeonjung Chang, Dance Tawny Chapman, Dance Aaron Chavarria, Dance Ashley Chavarria, Dance Jose Chavez, Dance Kenton Chen, Vocal Irene Cho, Dance Rufus Choi, Instrumental Shannon Christianson, Instrumental He-Lyun Chung, Instrumental Deanna Ciotti, Dance Sergio Coelho, Instrumental Hai Cohen, Dance Anne Cooper, Acting Desha Crownover, Acting Madeleine Dahm, Dance Marat Daukayev, Dance Cedric Dodd, Dance Stephanie Dorian-Smith, Acting Anne Dugaw, Vocal Lisa Edwards, Vocal Amy Eklund, Vocal
Joshua Elson, Vocal Rose Fearon, Dance Chris Fishman, Instrumental Lea Floden, Acting Patrick Frantz, Ballet Julie Shulman Friedrich, Dance Joe Gamble, Instrumental Stephanie Gilliland, Dance Patrick Goeser, Vocal Juliana Gondek, Vocal Mark Goodman, Dance Annie Gratton, Dance Julia Gregory, Vocal Charles Gross, Vocal Megan Guise, Dance Jeremy Guskin, Acting Molly Gutman-Webb, Vocal Christopher Hanke, Acting Bonnie Hanson, Dance Michelle Hanson, Dance Martine Harley, Dance Clark Harris, Vocal Jane Harrison, Vocal Ina Haybaeck-Rogers, Dance Michael Hayden, Vocal Gemma Hebson, Vocal Tamir Hendelman, Instrumental Rusty Higgins, Instrumental Addison Holmes, Dance Ben Hong, Instrumental Elizabeth Howard, Vocal Jia Huang, Dance Irishia Hubbard, Instrumental Kim Huber, Acting Lois Hunter, Acting Jason Janas, Dance Hans Jørgen Jensen, Instrumental Madam Giana Jigarhan, Dance Brian Johnson, Acting Ken Johnson, Vocal Catherine Ransom Karoly, instrumental Tatiana Kasatsky, Dance Victor Kasatsky, Dance Pat Kelley, Instrumental Sean Kennedy, Dance Alla Khaniashvili, Dance Milena Kitic, Vocal Saleemah Knight, Dance Saleemah E. Knight, Dance Daniel Koh, Vocal Jim Kolb, Dance Mandy Korpinen, Dance Dr. Anna Krendel, Vocal Dr. Steven Kronauer, Vocal Leo Krubsack, Vocal Dmitri Kulev, Dance Jennifer Kulev, Dance Mark LaManna, Acting Francine Kessler Lavac, Dance In Kyu Lee, Instrumental Myong-Joo Lee, Instrumental Amanda Leise, Dance Ronald Leonard, Instrumental Inessa Litvin, Instrumental Fiona Lummis, Dance Rochelle Mapes, Dance Charles Maple, Dance Terence Marling, Dance Kristina Marquez, Dance Erica Marr, Dance Kathleen Martin, Vocal Shannon Mather, Dance Gary Matsumoto, Vocal Krystal Matsuyama, Dance Mark McCormick, Vocal Kelsey McCowan, Dance Karen McDonald, Dance Melody McKnight, Dance Cathy Miller, Vocal Maria Monroe, Vocal Kay Montgomery, Vocal James Patric Moran, Acting Karen Morrow, Vocal Darren Mulder, Vocal Dana Nelson, Dance Josh Nelson, Instrumental Tim Nelson, Vocal Scotty Nguyen, Dance Kate O’Connor, Dance Vinny O’Connor, Dance Kevin Owers, Vocal Alan Pasqua, Instrumental John Perry, Instrumental Jimmy Peters, Dance Elizabeth Petrin, Dance Elizabeth Petrin, Dance Shoshana Phillips, Vocal Robert Porch, Dance Elsa Prado, Dance Ferly Prado, Dance Hanna Przyludzka-Karacic, Dance Wendy Pylko, Vocal Andres Ramirez, Vocal Jaime Randall, Dance Robert Reinhagen, Dance
Jessie Riley, Dance Salwa Riskalla, Dance Beth Rohde, Vocal Ellen Rosa-Taylor, Ballet Karen Rymer, Vocal Nazgul Ryskulova-Shinn, Dance Kelly Salvatore, Dance Erik Saradpon, Dance Andrea Schermoly, Dance Vicki Schindele, Vocal Tuffet Schmelzle, Acting Bill Schmidt, Vocal Lee Secard, Instrumental Jonathan Sharp, Ballet Lauren Shavitz, Dance Dr. Mikhail Shtangrud, Vocal Cheri Smith, Vocal Christopher Smith, Vocal Janet Smith, Vocal Lauren Smith, Instrumental Monique Smith, Dance Fred Steiner, Instrumental Michael Stevens, Vocal Lori Stinson, Vocal Jill Strauss, Dance Elmer Su, Instrumental Melinda Sullivan, Dance Jack Taylor, Dance Dasha Tertova, Dance Shira Rene Thomas, Vocal Carol Tingle, Vocal Wendy Tobiska, Vocal Michelle Tomlinson, Acting David Tranchina, Instrumental JoAnn Turovsky, Instrumental Chalatorn Ujamras, Dance Cesar Ulloa, Vocal Pete Uribe, Acting William Vendice, Vocal John Walcutt, Acting Jay Wallace, Acting Brian Walsh, Instrumental Josie Walsh, Dance Ezra Weisz, Acting Chehon Wespi-Tschopp, Dance David Wilcox, Dance Blake Williams, Acting Leilani Wilmore, Acting Bill Wysaske, Instrumental Michael Yoshimi, Instrumental David Young, Instrumental Johnny Zhong, Dance
SEMIFINALIST PERFORMING ARTS STUDIOS
Academy of Ballet Arts Ballet Arte Bobbie’s School of Performing Arts Butler Fearon O’Connor School of Irish Dance Carol Tingle Voice Studio Chavarria Institute of the Arts Clark Harris Studio Coast Music Debbie Allen Dance Academy Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy Evoke Dance Movement Harid Conservatory Idyllwild Arts Academy Joshua LaBar Studios Julia Gregory Vocal Studio Jump Dance Karen Hogle Brown Vice Studio Kathleen Martin’s Classic Voice Studio Lisa Picotte’s Young Actor Workspace Long Beach Ballet Academy Maple Conservatory of Dance Marat Daukayev School of Ballet Mather Dance Company Milena Kitic Vocal Studio Millennium Dance Complex MUSYCA Children’s Choir Ritcher Ballet Academy Rufus Choi Piano Studio Shira Renee Thomas & Dylan Thomas Vocal Studio Southland Ballet Academy Tamir Hendelman Studios Temecula Dance Company The Colburn Music Academy The Colburn School of Performing Arts The Voice Studio of Wendy Pylko Troy Rowland Acting Studio V & T Classical Ballet Academy West Coast School of the Arts Westside Academy of Dance Westside Dance Project Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet Young Actors Studio
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HISTORICAL TRIBUTE
Susan Kendall, Peggy Grauman, Dona Kendall and Walter Grauman
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, The Music Center wishes to pay special tribute to four instrumental patrons who have supported Spotlight for all 30 years! Misty Copeland, Walter Grauman and Heather McGreevey, Spotlight Finale, 1998.
PEGGY & WALTER GRAUMAN Television producer/director Walter Grauman set the stage for Spotlight back in December 1988, when he offered to produce a showcase of student talent as part of The Music Center’s WinterFest fundraising event. Walter wanted to find a way to connect young people to The Music Center. Recalling a television show he produced back in 1949 called Lights, Camera, Action, Walter produced the first show before a panel of judges that included legendary Hollywood figures such as Darryl Zannuck and Walter Mirisch. Two hundred students participated that first year in four categories — classical instrumental, opera, ballet and acting. Walter remained involved with Spotlight as executive producer and brought in his good friend AJ Carothers to write the script for the awards show. With Walter’s passing, his wife Peggy continues to be a proud advocate and carry on his legacy. Peggy has served as chair for numerous Spotlight galas including the very first WinterFest. Peggy regarded Walter as her most priceless gift to The Music Center. Walter’s initial vision has grown to be one of the nation’s premier programs for young artists and his spirit will forever be with us at The Music Center.
Donald Vega with Walter Grauman
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HISTORICAL TRIBUTE
Helen Bing, Peggy and Walter Grauman, Spotlight Finale, 1994.
Helen Bing with 2013 Grand Prize Finalists
HELEN & DR. PETER BING When Dorothy Chandler shared the vision for a program for high school students at a Blue Ribbon meeting and asked for funding to create Spotlight, Helen Bing enthusiastically responded yes! She and her husband, Peter, have been generous supporters since the inception of Spotlight. That fact is remarkable on its own, but it pales when you consider that they have been giving to The Music Center since 1970. As two of The Music Center’s most loyal and generous contributors, it’s no exaggeration to say that both are much loved members of The Music Center Family. Peter served on The Music Center Board of Directors from 1970–1995 and Helen has been a member of The Blue Ribbon since 1970. “I consider Helen and Peter our angels,” said Spotlight director Jeri Gaile. “They truly care about the students and the value they gain from this program. I am so grateful to them for their deep understanding of the importance of the arts and the integral part they play in a young person’s life.”
Helen Bing with Matthew Rushing
Over the program’s history, Helen and Peter have helped with funding over $2.2 million in scholarships and supporting the journey of each of our 42,000 alumni. The Music Center is honored to applaud their leadership and thank them for their ongoing support and generosity.
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SEMIFINAL JUDGES BIOGRAPHIES
ACTING GAI JONES Founder of CA Youth in Theatre. Regional Director of Educational Theatre Association. LEE TAYLOR-ALLAN Actor, teacher and lecturer. Off Broadway, Young Playwright’s Festival, Yale Drama. SUSAN WIEDER Casting Director for theater, film and television. MICHAEL LEON WOOLEY Broadway, film and TV actor — voice of Louis in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. CHRISTOPHER YOUNGSMAN Broadway: Urinetown, Grease!, Gypsy, Hair, Forever Plaid. TV: Tony Awards. Film: Across the Universe.
DR. JOHN BURDETT Faculty: Azusa Pacific University, Director Instrumental Studies, Director of Bands and Graduate Music Education. DR. SUSAN HELFTER Artist; Faculty: USC, Chair, Music Teaching & Learning Dept., Director, Thornton Community Engagement. U-JUNG JUNG (Spotlight Alum) Pianist and Organist; Adjunct Faculty: Chapman University. BA, MA, Juilliard School. DANIEL WACHS leads the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra and is Music Director of The Chapman (University) Orchestra.
JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL DAVID ARNAY Pianist, Composer; Faculty: USC, Jazz Studies and Popular Music; Pasadena City College. ZANE CARNEY (Spotlight Alum) Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter. Performances with John Mayer, CARNEY, Stevie Wonder, Keith Urban. THOMAS LUER Saxophonist; Performances with Poncho Sanchez, Queen Latifah. Faculty: Cal Poly Pomona; University of North Texas. DAN LUTZ Bassist, toured with various artists; played on countless sessions for commercials, movies, and TV.
DR. LEIF WOODWARD Cello performances with LA Musica Angelica, American Bach Soloists, LA Master Chorale.
DAN SCHNELLE Drummer, performing, recording or collaborating with Anthony Wilson, Josh Nelson, Larry Goldings, , Billy Childs, among others.
BALLET
CLASSICAL VOICE
NON-CLASSICAL DANCE
JUKKA AROMAA Former Principal: New York City Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Deutsche Oper am Rhein Dusseldorf.
PATRICIA GEE Artist; Faculty: Chapman University, University of Redlands, Operafestival di Roma.
SHAUNA BARGER Former Dancer: Hubbard Street Dance.
LESLIE CAROTHERS-AROMAA Former Principal: Joffrey Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet. ELLEN BAUER Former Soloist/Principal: National Ballet of Canada, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet. LORIN JOHNSON Former Dancer: San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theater. Faculty: Cal State Long Beach. RACHAEL S. MOORE President and CEO, The Music Center; Former member and Executive Director: American Ballet Theatre. 20
CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL
MARY LEVIN CUTLER Fellow of the American Institute of Fine Arts; Opera Judge for Zachary Opera Auditions. DR. RAEJIN LEE Artist; Faculty and Director of Vocal Studies, La Sierra University. MARCO SCHINDELMANN Artist; Faculty and Director of University Opera, University of Redlands.
JERRY EVANS Dancer/Choreographer/Director. Awards: American Choreographers Award. Founder: JLE Media Group Inc. DEE KAYE KLEGA Co-founder: Teatro Electrio Dance, Italy. Lead Dancer: Canali 5, the Rai in Italy. EBONY RUFFIN (Spotlight Alum) Dancer/Choreographer/Educator. Manager of Professional Development, The Music Center, Education Department. MIKE WEIR Principal Dancer: Omaha Ballet Company, Manning Freed Dance Theater. Broadway/Tours: Evita, A Chorus Line.
JUDGES BIOGRAPHIES AND MASTER CLASS TEACHERS
NON-CLASSICAL VOICE
MASTER CLASS TEACHERS
BARRETT FOA Stars in CBS series NCIS Los Angeles. Broadway: Avenue Q, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Mamma Mia!
ACTING
CLASSICAL VOICE
COY MIDDLEBROOK Assoc. Dir., Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts; Tony award winning director.
THOMAS MICHAEL ALLEN Lyric tenor; Faculty: USC, Vocal Arts and Composition.
BALLET
RONALD MCCURDY (Trumpet) Faculty: USC. Past president of the International Assoc. for Jazz Education.
ILENE GRAFF Grammy-nominated CD: Baby’s Broadway Lullabies. Broadway: Promises, Promises, Grease. TV: Mr. Belvedere. ANGELA PUPELLO Broadway: Grease!, Saturday Night Fever, The Drowsy Chaperone and Grammy-nominated album. MICHAEL LEON WOOLEY Broadway, film and TV actor — voice of Louis in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. CHRISTOPHER YOUNGSMAN Broadway: Urinetown, Grease!, Gypsy, Hair, Forever Plaid. TV: Tony Awards. Film: Across the Universe.
ASHLEY WHEATER Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet.
CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL LUCINDA CARVER (Piano) USC, Vice Dean of Division of Classical Performance and Composition. BEN HONG (Cello) Assistant Principal: LA Phil. DAVID HOWARD (Clarinet) Associate Principal: LA Phil. Faculty: USC, Winds & Percussion. CATHERINE KAROLY (Flute) Associate principal: LA Phil.
PRELIMINARY JUDGES Ken Aiso, Eugene Alcalay, Jukka Aromaa, Ellen Bauer, Melissa Bowman, Will Brahm, John Burdett, Leslie Carothers-Aromaa, Ramsey Castaneda, Julietta Corti, Margaret Dehning, Joanne DiVito, Patricia Gee, Ilene Graff, Daniel Guzman, Susan Helfter, Carolyn Hove, David Hughes, Alphonso Johnson, Francine Kessler Lavac, Susan Kim-Pedroza, Dee Kaye Klega, Andrew Langham, Marie France Levesque, Edwin Livingston, Antonio Mark Lopez, Thomas Luer, Bruce McClurg, Kim O’Rourke, Carla Renata, Marco Schindelmann, Simeon (Moni) Simeonov, Andrew Synowiec, Lee Taylor-Allan, Jamey Tate, Louise Thomas, Randolph Thompson, David Washburn, Mike Weir, Leif Thomas Woodward, Christopher Youngsman
MARTHA MASTERS (Guitar) Recording artist; solo recitalist; Faculty: CSU Fullerton; Loyola Marymount. JOAN TUROVSKY (Harp) Principal: LA Opera; Faculty: USC, Strings; The Colburn School. BING WANG (Violin) Assistant Concertmaster LA Phil.
JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL
ROY MCCURDY (Drums) Faculty: USC, Jazz Studies. DAREK OLESZKIEWICZ (Bass) Grammy nominated artist. Faculty: UC Irvine, Music. ALAN PASQUA (Piano) Faculty: USC, Chairman of Jazz Studies. BOB SHEPPARD (Saxophone) Faculty: USC, Jazz Studies. RICHARD SMITH (Guitar) Faculty: USC, Studio/Jazz Guitar, Popular Music.
NON CLASSICAL DANCE NICO GREETHAM So You Think You Can Dance, Finalist. Broadway: Newsies; Nickelodeon’s Power Rangers.
NON CLASSICAL VOICE JASON GRAAE Award winning Broadway and Television actor and singer.
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2017–2018 THE MUSIC CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS LISA SPECHT Board Chair ROBERT J. ABERNETHY CINDY MISCIKOWSKI Vice Chairs RACHEL S. MOORE President and Chief Executive Officer DIANE G. MEDINA Secretary SUSAN M. WEGLEITNER Treasurer WILLIAM TAYLOR Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
MEMBERS AT LARGE William H. Ahmanson Wallis Annenberg Jill Baldauf Phoebe Beasley Darrell Brown Kimaada M. Brown Dannielle Campos Greg T. Geyer Lisa Gilford David Gindler Kiki Ramos Gindler Maria Rosario Jackson Glenn Kaino Cary J. Lefton David Lippman Richard Lynn Martinez Bowen “Buzz” H. McCoy Mattie McFadden Lawson Elizabeth Michelson Darrell D. Miller Shelby Notkin Michael Pagano
Cynthia M. Patton Karen Kay Platt Rory Pullens Max Ramberg Jay Rasulo Joseph Rice Richard K. Roeder Lisa See Catharine Soros Marc I. Stern Cary H. Thompson Walter F. Ulloa Timothy S. Wahl Alyce Williamson Jay Wintrob Rollin A. Ransom General Counsel DIRECTORS EMERITI Peter K. Barker Judith Beckmen Eli Broad Ronald W. Burkle Amb. (ret.) John B. Emerson*
Lois Erburu Richard M. Ferry Brindell Gottlieb Bernard A. Greenberg Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr. Amb. (ret.) Glen A. Holden Stuart M. Ketchum Amb. (ret.) Lester B. Korn Kent Kresa Robert F. Maguire, III Ginny Mancini Edward J. McAniff Walter M. Mirisch Fredric M. Roberts Claire L. Rothman Joni J. Smith Cynthia A. Telles James A. Thomas Andrea L. Van de Kamp* Paul M. Watson Thomas R. Weinberger Rosalind W. Wyman *Chairman Emeritus
LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Through the Board of Supervisors, the County of Los Angeles plays an invaluable role in the successful operation of The Music Center. We applaud the five Supervisors (pictured above L to R): JANICE HAHN, Fourth District; KATHRYN BARGER, Fifth District; SHEILA J. KUEHL, Third District, Chair; HILDA L. SOLIS, First District; and MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS, Second District 22
2018 SPOTLIGHT CREDITS MONIQUE CARROLL Associate Producer; Program Manager, Spotlight
MUSIC CENTER EXECUTIVE STAFF Rachel S. Moore President and CEO
RONNIE CLARK Assistant Production Supervisor
Howard Sherman Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
SAMANTHA CLOONAN Assistant Production Supervisor
William Taylor Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
BARBARA DONNER Production Supervisor
Valentine Gelman Senior Vice President, Advancement
MEREDITH GREENBURG Production Supervisor
Bonnie Goodman Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications
JOHN HINDMAN Writer
Ming Ng Vice President, Community Engagement
LAWRENCE HO Photographer
Michael Solomon Vice President, Presentations and Education
CODY KOPP Presentations Coordinator
Carolyn Van Brunt Vice President, Guest Services
ROSYLYN RHEE Videographer & Video Editor DR. LOUISE THOMAS Collaborative Artist
Jorn Weisbrodt Artistic Advisor MUSIC CENTER STAFF Cheryl Brown Assistant Vice President, Advancement Austin Carroll Manager, Digital Media, Marketing & Communications Jason Clark Director of Production Lisa Ducore Director, Public Relations, Marketing & Communications Elise Embry Annual Giving Officer Katie Friesen Production Coordinator Liliana Gonzalez Event Operations Coordinator Amanda Hallman Director of Events and Special Projects Lisa King Event Operations Coordinator Katie Miller Production Manager Christina Limson O’Connell Manager, Audience Development, Marketing & Communications
VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO: The Music Center Advancement, Education, Marketing, and Programming staff; Mary Riggs and The Music Center Education Guild; and the Professional Musicians Union.
The stage crew, wardrobe crew, makeup artists & hair stylists, and box office staff are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States of America and Canada, AFL-CIO, CKC, Local Numbers 33, 706, 768, and 857, respectively.
Lorena Panfilo Advancement Coordinator Laura Recchi Major Gifts Officer Lucie Russo Senior Coordinator, Special Events Sharon Stewart Director of Scheduling and Events Ken Talley Scheduling Administrator Melissa Tan Director, Ticketing & Sales, Marketing & Communications Ismael Tenorio Event Operations Coordinator Patrice Thomas Senior Production Manager Janelle Torres Manager, Digital Initiatives, Marketing & Communications Delaine Ureño Manager, Institutional Giving Jonathan Vaughn Assistant Vice President, Advancement Chris Wybenga Director, Donor Relations Keith Wyffels Associate Vice President, Education WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL HOUSE STAFF Greg Flusty House Manager Rory Anglin, Jenna Loredo, Lionel Elkins, Jose Garibaldi Head Ushers Kevin F. Wapner Master Audio/Video John Phillips Property Master Terry Klein Master Electrician Ronald H. Galbraith Master Carpenter SPOTLIGHT PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Rebecca Baillie, Christine Breihan, Gerlie Collado, Patty Cornell, Heather Gottlieb, Jesus Lopez, Michelle Moro, Daniel Soto, Lenai Wilkerson, Lucy Zepeda
The House Managers employed by The Music Center are represented by the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers.
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A LEGACY TO INSPIRE The Music Center is pleased to recognize and thank the following donors for their endowment and planned gifts in support of the Spotlight program: The Ashkenas/Fabian Family Pamela and Dennis Beck Mary Levin Cutler
The Dorothy and Sherrill C. Corwin Fund The Sylvia Kunin Piano Grant
Stephen D. Moses James B. Pendleton Foundation Mary H. Shambra
By creating an endowment fund or including The Music Center in your estate plans, you can create a legacy that makes a difference for generations to come. For more information, or to develop a plan that meets your personal philanthropic objectives, contact Dasha Thomas at (213) 972-3353 or email at dthomas@musiccenter.org
Every Gift Makes a Difference With the help of generous supporters, The Music Center is able to invite the community to experience all-inclusive arts education and engaging public programs, including:
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Every summer, The Music Center offers a free familyfriendly series, with dance lessons and curated DJ sets for more than 17,000 attendees.
Student Matinee Performances Every season, more than 7,000 Los Angeles County students attend special Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center performances.
The Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival More than 5,000 kids of ALL abilities are invited to experience, exhibit and perform artistic work at The Music Center during this free annual event.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT Membership begins at $75. Become a member at The Music Center and support arts programs that impact, educate and engage our community. 24
For information, please call (213) 972-4349.
We are proud to support The Music Center’s Spotlight Program and the dedicated people who make it shine. Your vision, creativity and determination in bringing arts education to the community is an inspiration to us all.
Bank of America applauds The Music Center for bringing the arts to all When members of the community support the arts, they help inspire and enrich everyone. Artistic diversity can be a powerful force for unity, creating shared experiences and a desire for excellence. Bank of America recognizes The Music Center for its success in bringing the arts to performers and audiences throughout our community. Visit us at bankofamerica.com/losangeles Life’s better when we’re connected®
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