Four Local Teens Shine in LA Music Center’s Spotlight Program

They are young, gifted, and passionate about the performing arts. They are the four high school students from Pasadena and Altadena who have reached the semifinals of The Music Center’s 36th Annual Spotlight program, a highly competitive and renowned initiative that nurtures and showcases the next generation of artistic talent.

Out of more than 1,500 applicants from across Southern California, these four are among the 114 who have impressed the judges with their skills and potential in various categories, such as acting, ballet, classical voice, jazz instrumental, and non-classical dance.

They are now one step closer to the Grand Prize Finale, where they will compete for scholarships and recognition on the stage of The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall on June 4.

Trinity Dela Cruz, a 12th-grade student at Marshall Fundamental School, shone in the category of classical voice, while Isabelle Lin, a 10th-grader at Polytechnic High School, demonstrated prowess in ballet. Callie Chae Pyken, attending 10th grade in the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, garnered distinction in multiple categories including classical voice, non-classical voice, and acting.

Salvatore Lodi, from Excellence in Education Academy in Altadena, excelled in the category of ballet.

“Congratulations to this year’s Spotlight semifinalists for advancing this far! It is encouraging to see so many young people from throughout Southern California apply for this program, which is a testament not only to their talent and potential but also to their courage and dedication to the performing arts,” Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center, said.

Spotlight semifinalists will be attending special mastery classes with seasoned artists, gaining valuable insights into performance technique, training, and professional life. Each semifinalist will undergo another round of auditions before judges select the top two finalists in each category for the Grand Prize Finale, slated for June 4, at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The Music Center’s Spotlight program, supported by generous benefactors including Fredric Roberts, Helen and Peter Bing, and The Hearst Foundations, awards over $100,000 in cash scholarships annually. Semifinalists receive $500 each, while Grand Prize Finalists stand to earn $5,000 scholarships.

Since its inception in 1988, Spotlight has nurtured the talents of more than 54,000 high school students across Southern California, with many alumni achieving notable success in professional careers.

For more information, visit www.musiccenter.org/spotlight or follow @musiccenterspotlight on social media.