FAQs

The new Spotlight application will open on June 15, 2022. Applications are accepted until the extended deadline on October 21, 2022. Your application and uploaded video for each category you want to apply to must be submitted by the October deadline. We are not able to receive applications after this deadline.

Please refer to our Eligibility & Category Rules page for full details.

In order to apply to Spotlight, you must complete an online application and submit a video audition. There are no fees to apply to Spotlight. The process is easy and can be done online.

No. You are able to start an application and complete it at a later date. The information you have entered will be saved, and your application will be available to you until you complete the submission process. Please submit a video that has been recorded sometime between November 2021 - October 2022. Just make sure your application is complete and submitted by October 17, 2022.

No. Permanent residents and international students who are studying in the U.S. are also eligible to apply.  Students must meet the eligibility guidelines listed above. For International Students: The award may be subject to 30% federal tax withholding, depending on the student's circumstances.

Students may submit in more than one category; however, not within a discipline. In other words, Spotlight has seven categories in which students can apply. Students can apply to as many categories as they want. For example, If you play an instrument in both jazz and classical, dance contemporary and ballet, sing musical theater and opera, as well as act, then apply to all seven categories!!! We’d love to see you!!  The exception is that students cannot apply more than once to a category: e.g., if a student plays both flute and piano, they must choose which instrument they will play within the Jazz or Classical Instrumental category. They can, however, apply with flute to Jazz Instrumental and piano in Classical Instrumental. Please refer to the category guidelines for details, and if you have any questions, just email us at spotlight@musiccenter.org

Spotlight judges come from both the academic and professional worlds and bring an immense wealth of knowledge and expertise with them. They share those insights in student feedback letters and in the live auditions. Click on the category for the list of judges.

Spotlight Preliminary Judges - 2023:

• Acting
• Ballet
• Dance
• Classical Voice
• Non-Classical Voice
• Classical Instrumental - Piano
• Classical Instrumental - Strings
• Classical Instrumental - Brass, Woodwind, Percussion
• Jazz Instrumental

Spotlight Semifinal Judges - 2022:

• Acting
• Ballet
• Dance
• Classical Voice
• Non-Classical Voice 
• Classical Instrumental
• Jazz Instrumental