Local students named Spotlight Award semifinalists

The Music Center of Los Angeles County announced 91 high school students who were chosen as performing arts semifinalists for the 19th annual Music Center Spotlight Awards.

The students were selected from more than 1,155 Southern California applicants who auditioned in ballet, nonclassical dance, classical voice, nonclassical voice, classical instrumental and jazz instrumental music.

Auditioning students performed for a panel of expert judges then received evaluations of their auditions intended to improve their technique. The semifinalists were chosen during this process.

"It was very exciting," said Katie Young of Camarillo, a semifinalist in the nonclassical voice category who is a junior at Newbury Park High School. "It's something I always wanted to do."

The 91 semifinalists will have the opportunity to work with professional artists who offer indepth insight on performance technique, training and professional life. Participants will audition again to become one of 12 finalists, two in each category.

Creig Nicks' daughter Elizabeth won in the nonclassical dance category and will compete in the semifinals on Sunday.

"It's a pinnacle for her," said Nicks, principal at Chaparral Middle School in Moorpark. "She put in a lot of hard work, and it's nice to be recognized."

Elizabeth, a senior at Moorpark High School, has been dancing since she was 3 years old and has won numerous awards.

The finalists will be announced in March and will be paired with a mentor from the Music Center's Fraternity of Friends, a volunteer membership organization comprised of Los Angeles businessmen and entertainment industry professionals who support the center. The mentors provide guidance to the students and their families in preparation for the final competition, the Spotlight Awards show held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Sat., April 14.

The area semifinalists are:

Agoura Hills: A.J. Holmes, nonclassical voice, 12th grade, Agoura High School; Ryan Greenfield, jazz instrumental, 9th grade, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.

Camarillo: Katie Young, nonclassical voice, 11th grade, Newbury Park High School.

Moorpark: Elizabeth Nicks, nonclassical dance, 12th grade, Moorpark High School.

Oak Park: Andrew Karl, nonclassical voice, 11th grade, Oak Park High School.

Simi Valley: Erica Howerton, nonclassical dance, 9th grade, Agoura High School; Lexi Howerton, ballet, 11th grade, Agoura High School; Jennifer Liu, classical instrumental, 9th grade, Oak Park High School.

Thousand Oaks: Erika Binsley, classical instrumental, 11th grade, Westlake High School.

Westlake Village: Gary Chan, classical instrumental, 11th grade, Agoura High School; Emiko Flanagan, ballet, 12th grade, Agoura High School; London O'Donnell, nonclassical dance, 12th grade, Agoura High School.