TEEN OPERA SINGER NAMED SPOTLIGHT AWARDS FINALIST.Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer Never mind that teen-age opera singer Jessica Tivens became eligible for up to $5,000 in scholarships when she was named one of 12 finalists for the Music Center's annual Spotlight Awards on Sunday. The 14-year-old Calabasas High School Calabasas High School is a four-year high school, freshman-senior, in Calabasas, California, United States. Calabasas High School, which serves portions of Calabasas and the West Hills, Los Angeles, California section of Los Angeles, is one of three high schools in the Las freshman says that the best part is just the chance to get up on the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is one of the halls in the Los Angeles Music Center (which is one of the three largest performing arts centers in the United States). The Music Center's other halls include the Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. stage to sing at the April 23 showcase, when the grand prize winners and runners-up in each of six categories will be announced. "I've always wanted to perform in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. I've always wanted to be on that stage - it's so cool," Jessica said Wednesday. "That's one of the greatest things they could have done for me. That's at the Dorothy Chandler, this is at the Music Center - this is pretty high on my list of important things." Jessica was one of 65 previously announced semifinalists who competed Sunday night Sunday Night, later named Michelob Presents Night Music, was an NBC late-night television show which aired for two seasons between 1988 and 1990 as a showcase for jazz and eclectic musical artists. for a spot at the eighth annual Music Center Spotlight Awards competition for 14- to 18-year-olds who want to pursue careers in the performing and visual arts visual arts npl → artes fpl plásticas visual arts npl → arts mpl plastiques visual arts npl → . Categories were ballet, modern dance, classical voice, pop-musical theater voice, classical instrumental and jazz instrumental. Separate awards were given in the visual arts. Jessica was named a finalist in the classical voice category, along with 17-year-old Allison Benter of Pasadena. Sam Sadigursky, 16, of Westlake Village was a jazz instrumental finalist. The top winner in each category wins a $5,000 scholarship, and the runner-up receives $2,500. As a semifinalist, Jessica took master classes with professional singers and teachers. She plans to use those skills at next month's event. In addition to the chance of winning a scholarship, Jessica will be going to the Aspen Music School and Festival this summer, where she will learn language, voice, performance etiquette and other aspects of a professional singing career. "You basically learn to function in your career field," she said. Far from being nerve-racking, Sunday night's session before the judges in a rehearsal room above the Pavilion turned out to be an enjoyable experience. It provided a perfect setting in which to exercise her vocal chords on the arias "Una Voce UNA VOCE. With one voice unanimously. Poco po·co adv. Music To a slight degree or amount; somewhat. Used chiefly as a direction. [Italian, from Latin paucus; see pau-1 in Indo-European roots.] Fa" from Gioacchino Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" and "The Jewel Song" from Charles Gounod's opera "Faust," she said. "I was happy to be in the rehearsal room," she said. "It felt good to be in this acoustically perfect room." Her excitement hasn't dwindled since the moment her name was announced as a finalist, she said. "I'm totally ecstatic. I've been freaking freak·ing adv. & adj. Slang Used as an intensive: Traffic was a freaking nightmare. [Alteration of frigging, present participle of frig.] out for three days now," Jessica said. "When they announced my name, I was saying, it's me - they're giving me a chance. I was totally in hysterics hysterics /hys·ter·ics/ (his-ter´iks) popular term for an uncontrollable emotional outburst. ." The 1996 Spotlight Awards showcase, with master of ceremonies Gregory Harrison Gregory Harrison (born May 31, 1950 in Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, California) is an American actor. He is probably best known for his role as Chandler in 1987 cult favorite North Shore and Dr. and a panel of celebrity judges, is scheduled for April 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. For tickets, call (213) 202-2271. For more information about the Spotlight Awards, call coordinating producer Barbara Haig at (213) 202-2245. CAPTION(S): PHOTO Photo (Color) Jessica Tivens, 14, was chosen to perform at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion's annual Spotlight Awards showcase April 23. Dusty Locke/Special to the Daily News |
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