12 Talented High School Students to Perform On Stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on April 14th

Los Angeles -The Music Center of Los Angeles County announced the 12 talented high school students chosen as finalists for the 19th annual Music Center Spotlight Awards. The final competition, one of the most prestigious in the nation, takes place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Saturday, April 14, 2007.

Students were selected from among more than 1,155 Southern California applicants who auditioned in the performing arts. Two finalists are named in each of the following categories: ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental and jazz instrumental music. Grand prize finalists (1st place and runner-up) receive $6,000 and $3,000 respectively.

The 12 performing arts finalists were given the opportunity to work with highly regarded professional artists who offered in-depth insight on performance technique, training, and professional life. This unique learning opportunity is a highlight of the Spotlight Program and helps the participating students better prepare for future opportunities in the arts.

The Music Center Spotlight Awards program was established in 1988 and is one of the nation's most acclaimed performing and visual arts educational programs for teens. The program has launched numerous professional careers-fourteen finalists are Presidential Scholars and many have joined or performed with professional companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Metropolitan Opera, Boston Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.

Fredric M. Roberts is founding chairman of the Music Center Spotlight Awards; Dennis Beck is chairman and Walter Grauman creator/executive producer. The program is a project of the Fraternity of Friends.

Bank of America is the Principal Sponsor of the Music Center Spotlight Awards. The program is also supported by Helen and Peter Bing, HUB International/Kagan-Kozberg, Maxwell H. Gluck Foundation, Walter Lantz Foundation, California Community Foundation, Lee Graff Foundation, Dorothy B. Chandler Program Fund, Eloise C. Goodhew Barnett, The Carsey Family Foundation, James B. Pendleton Foundation, The Claire and Theodore Morse Foundation, The Lucille Ellis Simon Foundation, Gladys Turk Foundation, and Harmon Pro Group/JBL Professional.

The Spotlight Awards show is followed by a gala dinner in the Grand Hall of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. For more information about the Music Center Spotlight Awards program, call 213-972-3300 or visit musiccenter.org.

2007 SPOTLIGHT AWARDS PERFORMING ARTS FINALIST Listed by category, name (and instrument where applicable), hometown, grade, school name, county
BALLET Alexandria Mitchell Valley Village 11th, Laurel Springs Academy Los Angeles County Kristopher Nobles Los Angeles 11th, Hamilton Senior High School Los Angeles County NON-CLASSICAL DANCE Michael Tyus Temple City 11th, Temple City High School Los Angeles County Paula vanOppen Brea 11th, Brea Olinda High School Orange County	CLASSICAL VOICE Anna Schubert Placentia 12th, Fullerton High School Orange County Julia Metzler Glendale 12th, Independent Study Los Angeles County NON-CLASSICAL VOICE Teira Church Los Angeles 9th, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Los Angeles County Olivia Hernandez Fullerton 11th, Fullerton High School Orange County	CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL Jennifer Liu, Violin Simi Valley 9th, Oak Park High School Ventura County Mark Teplitsky, Flute San Diego 10th, Torrey Pines High School San Diego County JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL Jonathan Pinson, Drums Harbor City 12th, Hamilton Senior High School Los Angeles County Sarah Johnson, Flute Pasadena Jazz Instrumental 12th, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Los Angeles County