A TMC Arts Program Spotlight Mastery Classes

Spotlight Mastery Classes

Our Spotlight mastery classes allow students to work on a more intense level with teachers they may not normally have access to. The Music Center provides Spotlight Semifinalists with the opportunity to present their work while gaining feedback on their performance. This provides for a richer learning experience. Specific mastery classes are open to all participating students, parents and teachers to observe. All our mastery class teachers have enjoyed illustrious careers and now share their expertise with our students. Past master class teachers have included Broadway star Karen Morrow; jazz icon Arturo Sandoval; Artistic Director of the San Francisco Ballet Helgi Tomasson; So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Jae Blaze; Metropolitan Opera star Cynthia Munzer, and members of LA Phil.

2025 Mastery Class Teachers

Acting

• Carla Renata, award-winning Broadway and TV actor; Host of award-winning podcast The Curvy Film Critic. Broadway credits: Avenue Q, The Lion King, Smokey Joe’s Café, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and The Who’s Tommy. TV credits: NBC’s Superstore for five seasons

Ballet

• Julie Kent, Houston Ballet Artistic Director and former American Ballet Theatre ballerina

Classical Instrumental

• Lucinda Carver, Piano; Chair, Keyboard Studies & Professor of Practice at USC.
• Bing Wang, Associate Concertmaster, LA Phil

Classical Voice

• LeRoy Villanueva, Faculty, Chapman University; Performances with New York City Opera, Royal Opera of Covent Garden, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera; Metropolitan Opera winner

Dance

• Mandy Moore, Emmy-award winning choreographer. Credits: So You Think You Can Dance, La La Land, Taylor Swift, etc.

Contemporary Instrumental

• William Cunliffe, Piano, Grammy Award-winning composer, arranger, pianist
• Jon Hatamiya, Trombone; Faculty, Jazz Performance, USC Thornton School of Music
• Alexander Iles, Trombone, Artist & Clinician; Faculty, Cal Arts, Azusa Pacific College, CSUN
• Ronald McCurdy, Trumpet; Professor, Jazz Studies, USC Thornton School of Music; Assistant Dean
• Roy McCurdy, Drums, Faculty, Jazz Studies, USC Thornton School of Music; Recording artist
• Bob Sheppard. Saxophone; Faculty, Jazz Studies, USC Thornton School of Music; Recording artist
• Nick Stoubis, Guitar; Professor, Studio Guitar & Popular Music; Chair of Studio Guitar Program, USC Thornton School of Music

Non-Classical Voice

• Barrett Foa, singer, dancer and actor; TV credits: Shondaland/Netflix comedy The Residence; 12 seasons of NCIS: Los Angeles; Broadway credits: Avenue Q, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and the original cast of Mamma Mia!