Getting comfortable in the Spotlight

2012 Spotlight finalist Jesse Chen warms up backstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

How do you get to the Spotlight Awards? Practice—and a free, daylong workshop created by the Music Center to introduce prospective students, parents and teachers to the prestigious program.

Jeri Gaile, who has directed the Spotlight program for the past 11 years, hopes the Sept. 30 workshop called “Spotlight Academy” will help ease fears of competition and auditioning.

“This is all a big, warm fuzzy,” said Gaile. “We’re somewhere in between dancing for grandma and auditioning for Juilliard.”

Of course, the young performers aren’t the only ones with the jitters. Gaile also wants to ease the minds of parents who might be concerned about their kids’ future job prospects.

“There are lots of wonderful careers that may not have to do with performing,” she said. “We want to make parents less afraid about their kids seeking careers in the arts.”

In addition to providing information about the Spotlight competition, now in its 25^th year, the workshop will teach practical strategies for applying to college music programs, working with agents and getting gigs. Attendees have the option to attend classes on topics such as “how to deal with nerves” and “singing from the heart.”

After the workshop, there will be plenty of time to for students to decide if they want to sign up for the free competition—the registration deadline for performance artists is October 17, and visual artists have until December 1. Categories of performance art include ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental and jazz instrumental. Visual artists can compete in two-dimensional art or photography.

More than 3,000 students compete in Spotlight annually. After the initial round of evaluations, 15 semifinalists are selected from each category to move on to the next round and attend “master classes.” All judging and teaching is done by top-notch professionals and university-level faculty members.

After the second round of evaluations, two students in each category proceed to the final, public round in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Semifinalists in visual arts get their own gallery exhibition, classes and museum tours. All who make it to the semifinals share in more than $100,000 in scholarships.

To reserve a spot at the workshop, email names of participants to [email protected]. The workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 30.

Posted 9/13/12