Walnut Teen Is Finalist In Music Center L.A. Competition

WALNUT, CA — High school senior, Andrew Shi, 17 of Walnut, is among 14 finalists, chosen from more than 1,300 applicants for The Music Center of Los Angeles' 34th annual Spotlight program, a nationally acclaimed performing arts competition, scholarship and artistic development program for teens.

Shi, who plays the piano and attends Diamond Bar High School in Diamond Bar, is among two Grand Prize winners in the classical voice category.

The 14 Spotlight Grand Prize winners include two finalists in each of seven categories: acting; ballet; dance; classical voice; non-classical voice; and classical instrumental; and jazz instrumental. In addition to performing in the finale event, each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship, the organization said.

Set for June 15 at 7 p.m. at Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, held in-person for the first time since 2019, The Music Center’s Spotlight Grand Finale will showcase the finalists' talents, along with a look into their lives, with behind-the-scenes footage detailing their artistic journey and Spotlight experience, organizers said.

A TMC Arts program, Spotlight provides Southern California teens with expert advice, coaching, auditions and classes taught by artists and arts administrators. The program offers participants such benefits as individual feedback from industry professionals, performance opportunities and more than $100,000 in cash awards through three rounds of auditions, the Music Center said.

“With a 34-year history of helping to develop and support some of Southern California’s most talented teens, Spotlight uplifts aspiring artists and provides pathways for them to connect with one another and the greater Spotlight community," said Jeri Gaile, Fredric Roberts director of program. "We offer a nurturing environment to help kids believe in themselves, because we believe in them.”

All Spotlight Grand Prize Finalists, including Shi, are:

Acting:

• Michael Davis, 18, a senior at San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (Chula Vista)
• Lauren Mei, 16, a junior at Orange County School of the Arts – OCSA (Irvine)

Ballet:

• Sophia Koo, 14, a freshman at Arnold O. Beckman High School and Tustin Connect (Irvine)
• Justin Padilla, 15, a home-schooled sophomore (Lake Forest)

Dance:

• Dyllan Blackburn, 15, a sophomore at Canyon High School (Anaheim)
• Tegan Chou, 15, a sophomore at ASU Prep Digital (Tustin)

Classical Voice:

• Oscar Yum, 17, a junior at Flintridge Prep (Altadena)
• Lia Zheng, 17, a junior at Canyon Crest Academy (San Diego)

Non-Classical Voice:

• Bella Aboulhosn, 17, a junior at Chaminade College Preparatory School – Canoga Park (Los Angeles)
• Elias Robles, 17, a senior at Los Altos High School (Hacienda Heights)

Classical Instrumental:

• Andrew Shi, 17, piano, a senior at Diamond Bar High School (Walnut)
• Ashley Tsai, 16, violin, a senior at Colburn Music Academy (Los Angeles)

Jazz Instrumental:

• Evan Dexter, 16, trombone, a junior at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, (Chatsworth)
• Sophia Papouchado, 17, drums, a junior at Vistamar School (Manhattan Beach)

This year, more than 1,300 teens auditioned for the program, representing some 256 schools, 181 cities and eight counties, the center said. Spotlight applicants receive written feedback from judges following each audition round to help students improve and gain knowledge in their specific performance discipline.

Launched in 1988, Spotlight has coached 53,000 high school students from Santa Barbara to San Diego, with former participants going on to such careers and accomplishments as becoming Presidential Scholars and working with such companies as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Metropolitan Opera, LA Opera, Boston Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.

Notable alumni include: Misty Copeland, the first African American principal dancer for American Ballet Theatre; Adam Lambert and Josh Groban; Kris Bowers, Emmy Award-winning composer whose work includes scores for Bridgerton, Green Book and Dear White People; Lindsay Mendez, Tony Award winner for her role in the Broadway revival of Carousel and now starring in the television drama All Rise.

The Music Center’s Spotlight program is supported by Fredric Roberts, Helen and Peter Bing, Dr. Martin Balser, The Hearst Foundations, the Edgerton Foundation and an anonymous donor. Fredric Roberts is founding chairman of Spotlight, and the late Walter E. Grauman is the creator.

For more information about Spotlight, visit MusicCenterSpotlight.

The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre is at 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Finale tickets are $5.
Links here.

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