HART HIGH TEENS HIT RIGHT NOTES; 2 IN SEMIFINALS FOR MUSIC CENTER AWARDS.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

NEWHALL - Two Hart High School students have been named semifinalists in the Los Angeles Music Center's 12th annual Spotlight Awards program.

Broadway-style singer Kendahl Feldman, 14, and classical soprano Leota Penney, 17, were selected from 800 Southern California students to attend master classes and then compete for cash and a chance to perform at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

``I'm elated that I got this far,'' said Feldman. ``It just shows me that what I am working for is paying off.''

Penney will attend a master class with Suzanna Guzman, a soprano with the Los Angeles Opera. Kendahl's master class will be with Suzanne Kiechle, a vocal teacher and coach who has worked with performers in Broadway plays including ``Rent,'' ``Ragtime'' and ``Showboat.''

Victoria Morris, an agent who casts actors for Broadway shows, also will sit in on the class Kendahl will attend.

After the master classes, seminfinalists in six vocal and instrumental- music categories will audition for an April 17 performance in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Los Angeles Music Center.

Winners will receive $5,000 and runners-up $2,500 in each category.

``The concept of the Spotlight Awards came from one of our volunteers,'' Music Center spokeswoman Barbara Haig said. ``It's a way to recognize teen-agers who are going to be the performers of the future.''

Although this is the first time that she has entered it, Feldman said the Spotlight Awards program has motivated her to work harder.

``I wanted to do something to give me a goal in life,'' Feldman said.

The two songs she sang in front of a panel of three judges were ``When I Looked at You'' from the ``Scarlet Pimpernel'' and ``Shy'' from ``Once Upon a Mattress.''

Feldman, a sophomore, said she has always been encouraged by her parents, both musicians. Her father is a music teacher at College of the Canyons, and her mother gives private flute lessons.

Feldman studied on the flute before focusing on voice.

``I really love singing on stage,'' said Feldman who, in the past three years, has performed in productions of ``Grease,'' ``A Chorus Line,'' ``Peter Pan'' and ``Once Upon A Mattress.''

Penney performed ``Caro Nome'' from Verdi's ``Rigoletto'' and ``Poor Wandering One'' from Gilbert and Sullivan's ``Pirates of Penzance.''

Penney said this is her second attempt for a Spotlight Award and first time to reach the semifinals. Last year, she won $300 from the Santa Clarita Valley Chorale Educators that she used to hire a private voice trainer.

``I write music so I'd like to record more,'' said Penney, a Hart senior. ``I have recorded a few songs.''

She auditioned Tuesday for an Ohio music scholarship and said a Spotlight cash prize would help with higher education.

But win or lose in final auditions, she said, she is eager to attend the master class.

``I actually want to do the class,'' she said.

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Photo: Hart High School singers Leota Penney, 17, left, and Kendahl Feldman, 14, are semifinalists for Music Center awards.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News