Press release
The Music Center, Los Angeles’ performing arts center, invites all Southern California high school students interested in the performing arts to apply for the Music Center’s 37th Annual Spotlight, a long-standing, free, nationally recognized competition that awards over $100,000 in performing arts scholarships and student arts education each year.
Applicants receive artistic development through auditions, feedback, master classes taught by professional artists and arts administrators, and performance opportunities. In a supportive environment, students can develop important life skills, including self-esteem, preparation, and perseverance, the Music Center said in a press release.
The Music Center has provided over $2.9 million in scholarships to students to date. Applying for the Music Center Spotlight is free; students of all ability levels are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is Monday, October 14.
The Music Center Spotlight process includes:
• First Round Auditions: Students submit an online video audition in one or more of the following categories: acting, ballet, dance, classical instrumental, contemporary instrumental, classical voice, and non-classical voice. All applicants receive personalized written feedback from distinguished judging panels. Spotlight Merit, semifinalists, and honorable mentions from the previous year skip the first round online auditions and automatically advance to the second round live auditions.
• Second Round Auditions: Students who advance to this round will perform live in front of distinguished juries and receive personalized feedback from a panel of industry experts.
• Semifinals – Masterclasses/Auditions: The Spotlight Jury will invite 16 semifinalists from each category to attend masterclasses to receive feedback prior to their semifinal auditions. Following the semifinal auditions, the Music Center will announce two finalists for the Grand Prize and one Honorable Mention in each category. All participating students are invited to attend select masterclasses.
• Grand Finale: Spotlight will conclude with a live evening performance of the Grand Finale featuring the 14 Grand Prize finalists on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Music Center’s Ahmanson Theater.
For application information, visit musiccenter.org/spotlight.
