Fourteen-year-old Jiye Angela Bae, a freshman at Santa Monica’s Crossroads School for the Arts & Science, was chosen as one of Southern California’s most talented teens in the finale performance at The Music Center’s 25th Annual Spotlight Awards this past weekend.
Bae competed with more than 2,200 participants in the long-standing arts education program and competition.
She was the runner-up in the Classical Instrumental category and won a $4,000 scholarship provided by The Music Center.
Unlike similar programs focused solely on competition, Spotlight emphasizes the achievement of artistic goals through the development of skills, knowledge and self-confidence.
During its 25 years, the program has provided the tools and techniques to help more than 40,000 students not only fine-tune their craft, but build their self-esteem.
It has also recognized young talent, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in the arts, including pop music star Adam Lambert, American Ballet Theatre ballerina Misty Copeland, Alvin Ailey dancer Matthew Rushing, Broadway’s Erin Mackey, and the New York Philharmonic’s Principal Oboist Liang Wang.
