STUDENTS DEVOTED TO ARTS.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Victor Gould grew up listening to his dad's jazz records, but at the age of 5, simply hearing the music was not enough - he plopped himself on a piano seat and began making his own music.

For 11 years, Gould has rarely missed playing the instrument to which he's become very attached - and the dedication has paid off for the 16-year-old, who has been named a finalist in the Los Angeles County Music Center's prestigious Spotlight Awards.

``I feel it comes from inside,'' said the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts 11th-grader who lives in Simi Valley. ``When you start to learn more and more, it's easier to play what you feel.''

No stranger to winning competitions, Gould seems to have a healthy attitude about the recognition.

``To me, these competitions are not a reflection of how good you really are, but it's nice,'' said Gould, who recently won a scholarship to attend Boston's Berklee College this summer. ``The music is the true reward, not the money.'' The young man plans to make music his career by either playing or writing for a big band or writing musical compositions for films.

Past winners of the Music Center's competition have gone on to pursue careers in their fields, including joining the American Ballet Theater and making their operatic debuts at the Metropolitan, said Jeri Gaile, director of the Spotlight Awards.

``These kinds of prestigious competitions - when they're done well, with care and nurturing - they're very important to the students' careers,'' Gaile said. ``We feel we're a launching pad for them.''

Along with Gould, Glendale ballet dancer Gregory Arakelian and Newbury Park tap dancer Melinda Sullivan, 16, beat out 800 Southern California student performers to be among the 12 finalists in the 16th annual performing arts competition.

``When you have become a Spotlight finalist, it is a very clear indication of extraordinary talent,'' said Ann Bradley, media director for the Music Center.

Arakelian, 18, who began dancing at the age of 9, received rigorous training in Armenia, where he studied dance in the Russian technique. He continued his training at the Pasadena Dance Theater when his family moved to the United States four years ago.

``It's my life, my whole being. I can't imagine life without it,'' said the senior at Arshag Dickranian Armenian School. He's received a competitive scholarship from the American Ballet Theater that will allow him to take classes there this summer. ``I want to become a professional ballet dancer for a major company.''

Students who make it to the finals in the competition would rather rehearse or study their craft than spend time ``hanging out,'' Gaile said.

``You have to be at the top of your game. These are all kids who are extremely dedicated and committed to their craft and they're very serious,'' Gaile said. ``They're the best of the best.''

The Spotlight Awards program, which began in 1988 to help gifted high school students who plan performing or visual arts careers, includes the categories of ballet, nonclassical dance, classical voice, nonclassical voice, classical instrumental music and jazz instrumental music.

The performing arts finalists will perform on stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on April 17 at the Spotlight Awards gala. Winners will receive $6,000 and the runners-up $3,000.

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Victor Gould, who spends much of his time at the piano, is a finalist in the Los Angeles County Music Center's prestigious Spotlight Awards.

(2) Victor Gould, who won a scholarship to Boston's Berklee College this summer, said his aim is music, not money.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer