The Music Center has selected 110 high school students as semifinalists in the 31st annual Spotlight program, a free scholarship and arts training initiative for teens.

Student semifinalists in The Music Center’s Spotlight Awards will compete for scholarships and a chance to train with professionals and appear in a Music Center show. (photo courtesy of the Music Center)

Spotlight has transformed the lives of more than 47,000 students since its launch in 1988. An integral part of The Music Center’s support for arts education, Spotlight enables high school students to acquire the skills necessary to pursue careers in the performing arts. Students work in numerous genres, learn about careers in arts management, and receive college preparedness and workforce readiness skills. Semifinalists were selected in acting, ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental and jazz instrumental categories.

“Spotlight guides students on a journey where they can explore their aptitudes and interests and a possible career in the performing arts,” Music Center President and CEO Rachel Moore said. “Every year, we look forward to discovering the vast talent of L.A.’s youth and, through the Spotlight program, help these young people hone their craft, enhance their skills and pursue their dreams.”

Approximately 1,600 participants auditioned for Spotlight this year, with students representing more than 253 schools, 195 cities and eight counties. For information and a list of honorees, visit musiccenter.org/spotlight.

Semifinalists attend a special master class in their genre with artists who share their expertise on performance technique, training and professional life. Experts provide students with feedback on their performances. Each semifinalist will audition again before a new panel of judges, who will then select the top two finalist performers in each category for a total of 14 grand prize finalists. Judges will also name an honorable mention recipient in each category. The grand prize finalists will perform at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall in the Spotlight Grand Finale Performance on June 4.

The Spotlight program awards more than $100,000 in cash scholarships annually. Grand prize finalists in each category receive $5,000 scholarships, with one honorable mention recipient in each category receiving $1,000. Semifinalists each receive $300.

The Music Center also celebrates five students in each category with Merit Awards, which acknowledge students who inspire the judges by their commitment and dedication to their art form. Spotlight Merit Award recipients each receive $100.

For information, visit musiccenter.org/spotlight.