Community School vocalist Tess Alexander and Music Academy violinist Eunice Lee were both semifinalists in the Music Center’s Spotlight Awards.
[Updated: 4/30/21]
This year, 25 students and alumni from the Community School, Music Academy, and Trudl Zipper Dance Institute were selected as semifinalists and Grand Prize finalists in the Music Center’s Spotlight Awards. Of the 112 semifinalists selected in 2021, over 20% attend or have attended Colburn. Following two rounds of virtual auditions, semifinalists attend a master class before the next round of auditions and the announcement of the Grand Prize finalists.
Grand Prize finalists will participate in the Spotlight Grand Finale on May, 22, 2021 at 7 pm PT hosted by Spotlight alum and pop recording icon Josh Groban. Colburn Grand Prize finalists in the classical instrumental category also receive a prize, funded by Jerry and Terri Kohl, of $2,500, which supports their continued educational and artistic development.
In addition to accepting over $100,000 in cash awards, Spotlight participants are also able to participate in master classes, get personalized feedback from distinguished judges, gain audition experience and coaching, and more. More than a competition, Spotlight is a scholarship and arts training program that emphasizes preparation, courage, critical thinking, and perseverance for students. Notable Spotlight alumni include Emmy award-winning composer and Community School alumnus Kris Bowers, Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez, and American Ballet Theatre’s principal dancer Misty Copeland.
Congratulations to these students on this tremendous accomplishment.
Hannah Nordberg ‡
Jessie Franks ‡ Lauren Gmelich *‡
Fengyang (William) Ju ^
Anaïs Feller ^ Mei Hotta ^§ Eunice Lee ^§ Allison Park *† Daniel Wang ^§ Cole Turkel ^§ Hina Tamaki §
Tess Alexander *
Santiago Lopez § JJ Lybbert §
Elder Gindroz * Declan Houlihan * David Lee * Gianna Pedregon * Jack Lieberman * Max Nguyen * William Schwartzman * Jacob Speth * Lucas Sterling * Kai Suzuki * Joshua Wong *
* Community School of Performing Arts student § Community School of Performing Arts alumni ^ Music Academy student † Music Academy alumnus ‡ Trudl Zipper Dance Institute alumni