Alexandrea Lindsey, 16, Junior at Los Al High School, is one of only 17 semifinalists in the ballet category for The Music Center’s Spotlight program, a free nationally-acclaimed scholarship and arts training program for teens.
Lindsey is also headed to New York in April as a semi finalist for Youth America Grand Prix, which is one of the biggest, most prestigious ballet competition in the world. This will be Lindsey’s second time traveling to New York as a semifinalist for YAGP.
Spotlight provides opportunities for Southern California high school students to acquire skills to pursue their artistic dreams in the performing arts along with valuable workforce readiness skills.
In total 111 Southern California students were named semifinalists in seven categories: acting, ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental and jazz instrumental.
Spotlight semifinalists attend special master classes with highly regarded artists, who share their expertise on performance technique, training and professional life.
Students are offered feedback on their performances giving them a rich learning experience. 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 in each category.
Both Grand Prize Finalists in each category receive $5,000 scholarships, with one Honorable Mention in each category receiving $1,000. Semifinalists each receive $300. The students will perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall at The Music Center in the Spotlight Grand Finale Performance on June 11, 2016.
“With Spotlight, young people have the opportunity to see what it is like to take risks and learn how to prepare for the important transitions in life,” said Jeri Gaile, director of The Music Center’s Spotlight program.
“While students compete in this program, they are mostly competing with themselves as they build self-esteem and learn how to persevere to achieve their goals,” she said.
“We are not only helping students advance their journey as they explore their professional goals, but also offering them experiences, coaching and feedback to develop the critically important life skills that help them achieve success,” said Rachel Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center.
The Music Center is located at 135 N Grand Avenue in Los Angeles. For more information visit musiccenter.org and follow The Music Center on Facebook and Twitter (@MusicCenterLA).