The Music Center’s Spotlight program is a journey to excellence that helps young artists focus their passions, strive and succeed. For 38 years, Southern California high school students have turned to The Music Center for worldclass arts training, scholarships and career guidance — at no cost to them. Spotlight is a program of The Music Center’s programming engine, TMC Arts.
Join The Music Center as we develop tomorrow’s outstanding artists and leaders.
Acting Ballet
Dance
Classical Voice
Non-Classical Voice
Classical Instrumental
Contemporary Instrumental
More than $3 M awarded in scholarships
More than 56,000 alumni
Misty Copeland
Adam Lambert
Josh Groban
Lindsay Mendez
Kris Bowers
Matthew Rushing
Jennifer Stahl
Norbert de la Cruz III
YaoGuang Zhai
Mason Alexander Park
Sean Plumb
Gerald Clayton ...and more.
FROM RACHEL S. MOORE
Tonight, we are honored to share this stage with an extraordinary group of young artists —the Grand Prize Finalists from The Music Center’s Spotlight—whose talent, dedication and courage have brought them to this moment. Chosen from more than 1,300 talented applicants across Southern California, each of these students brings something truly special. They are not only gifted performers, but also incredibly driven young people who have shown the discipline, resilience and wholehearted commitment it takes to be here tonight.
For nearly four decades, Spotlight has been a place where young people are seen, supported and challenged to reach their fullest potential. Here, the journey matters as much as the outcome. Through mentorship, meaningful feedback and the generosity of a vibrant artistic community, these students find their voice and the confidence to share it. We are proud to walk alongside them, offering them opportunities for learning, artistic development and connection, and awarding them more than $3 million in scholarships to date.
Earlier this evening, at the second annual Spotlight Grand Gala, we gathered to celebrate this remarkable program and the community that sustains it, including longtime Spotlight patrons
Pamela and Dennis Beck, the evening's honorees. That spirit of generosity and belief carries directly onto this stage tonight—making moments like this possible for every young person who dares to dream.
The impact of the Spotlight journey extends far beyond this stage. It lives in the professionals these students will become, the stories they will tell and the communities they will inspire, whatever path they choose.
This evening is also a celebration of everyone who makes Spotlight possible—our teaching artists, judges, donors, staff and champions, whose belief in young people keeps this life-changing program free and accessible to all. We are deeply grateful to the many donors who support Spotlight throughout the year and especially to lead endowment benefactor and founding chairman of Spotlight Fredric Roberts, Helen and Peter Bing, and Edgerton Foundation. Together with our Spotlight Grand Gala supporters, you make it possible for these young people to dream big and for all of us to delight in their aspirations.
To our finalists: thank you. Your artistry, your vulnerability and your passion remind us why the arts matter—now more than ever.
Enjoy this remarkable evening.
Warmly,
OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Rachel S. Moore President & CEO
Hilda L. Solis Chair, Supervisor, First District
Holly J. Mitchell Chair Pro Tem Supervisor, Second District
Janice Hahn Supervisor, Fourth District
Kathryn Barger Supervisor, Fifth District BOARD
Lindsey P. Horvath Supervisor, Third District
HOSTS
JERI GAILE has served as the Fredric Roberts Senior Director of The Music Center’s Spotlight program, guiding thousands of young artists toward professional success for the past 25 years. After graduating from the School of American Ballet under George Balanchine, Jeri became a principal dancer with the Los Angeles Ballet and performed with the San Francisco Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet. She went on to work extensively as an actress, singer and dancer in film and television, best known for her role as Rose McKay on the iconic series Dallas. She co-produced master classes for Performing Arts L.A. and has served as a pre- and post-performance moderator for Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center. A sought-after guest lecturer, Jeri has spoken for Screen Actors Guild—Dancers in Transition, American Ballet Theatre and numerous high schools and arts studios throughout Southern California. She has served on advisory boards for the Festival of New American Musicals and the August Wilson Monologue Competition.
Los Angeles native SUZANNA GUZMÁN is a two-time Emmy ® Award winner, Grammy ® nominee and the 2023–24 Hispanic Opera Legend at LA Opera. An internationally renowned mezzo-soprano, she was an original artist associate of LA Opera and a national finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Competition. Her acclaimed portrayal of Carmen (HGO, Kennedy Center, Opéra de Nice) led TIME to call her a “fire-breathing, singing actress.” A champion of new work, she has created roles in world premieres including the Duchess of Alba in Menotti’s Goya, Paula in Catán’s Florencia and Lucha in Yuval Sharon’s mobile opera Hopscotch. She hosted, wrote and produced the radio program Sunday Evening Opera on KMZT and the PBS series Open Call, earning two LA Area Emmy® Awards for hosting the L.A. County Holiday Celebration. She currently appears as Abuela Claudia in In the Heights with Musical Theatre West. Her honors include include an honorary Doctor of Music from Occidental College and the Hispanic Scholarship Foundation’s Mentor of the Year Award.
SPECIAL GUESTS
DYLAN GUTIERREZ is a Spotlight alum and principal dancer with The Joffrey Ballet. His favorite roles danced include Death in The Green Table, Basilio in Don Quixote, Prince Siegfried in Christopher Wheeldon’s Swan Lake, Prince Albrecht in Giselle, Main Pas de Deux couple from Wayne McGregor’s INFRA, Sanguinic in George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit and the Pas de Deux in The Times Are Racing. Dylan is part of the production company Action Lines, which has created several original dance films for The Joffrey Ballet.
CREDITS
Robert J. Abernethy Board Chair, The Music
Center
JERALDINE MENDOZA is a principal dancer with The Joffrey Ballet. Her favorite roles include Stanton Welch’s La Bayadére (Nikiya); Jiři Kylián’s Forgotten Land; Gerald Arpino’s Sea Shadow ; Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs; George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante and The Four Temperaments; Christopher Wheeldon’s Continuum and Swan Lake (Odette/Odile); Jerome Robbins’s Interplay ; Yuri Possokhov’s Anna Karenina (Kitty); Justin Peck’s In Creases, Year of the Rabbit and The Times Are Racing; John Neumeier’s Sylvia (Sylvia); Ashley Page’s Tipping Point; Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella (Cinderella); and Liam Scarlett’s Vespertine
Center
Rachel S. Moore President & CEO, The Music
Jeri Gaile Executive Producer
Fredric Roberts Founding Chairman, Spotlight
Photo credits (top to bottom): Photo courtesy of Erin Clendendin for The Music Center; Photo by Dan Guerrero; All other photos by Cheryl Mann.
Opening
Jeraldine Mendoza and Dylan Gutierrez
Artists of The Joffrey Ballet
Excerpt from Bells
Composed by: Sergei Rachmaninoff Choreography by: Yuri Possokhov
Accompanied by: Jorge Ivars
Ansh Narsingh Non-Classical Voice
Lost in the Wilderness
Music & Lyrics by: Stephen Schwartz
Arranged by: Jamey Tate
Gracyn French
Dance
El Tango de Roxanne
Composed by: Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce— incorporating Tanguera by Mariana Mores & Roxanne by Sting
Performance by: José Feliciano, Ewan McGregor, and Jacek Koman
Choreography by: Molly Long
38
th
annual grand finale
Saturday, May 16, 2026
The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre
Lev Sakae Taira
Classical Voice
It was a Lover and his Lass Composed by:
Gerald Finzi
Lyrics by: William Shakespeare
Accompanied by: Dr. Louise Thomas
Ishaan Natarajan Contemporary Instrumental
African Skies
Composed by: Michael Brecker
Arranged by: Jamey Tate
Accompanied by: Emmet Althoen & Eric Sittner
Afina Hiyori Gosla Ballet
Variation from the ballet Paquita
From the ballet: Paquita Composed by: Ludwig Minkus Choreography by: Marius Petipa
Nyla Nevaeh
Acting John Proctor is the Villain Character: Shelby Written by: Kimberly Belflower
Erin Liao
Classical Instrumental Fantaisie for flute and piano Composed by: Georges Hüe Accompanied by: Dr. Louise Thomas
Brooklyn Covington Dance
Uptown Funk
Music & Lyrics by: Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, Jeff Bhasker, Philip Lawrence Choreography by: Mandy Dray
Emmet Althoen Contemporary Instrumental You’re My Everything Composed by:
Harry Warren
Arranged by: Jamey Tate
Accompanied by: Ishaan Natarajan & Eric Sittner
Emilia Bernstein
Classical Voice
Que fais-tu, blanche tourterelle?
From the Opera: Roméo et Juliette Composed by: Charles Gounod
Lyrics by: Jules Barbier and Michel Carré
Accompanied by: Dr. Louise Thomas
Belle Gomer
Acting
Saint Joan: A Chronicle
Play in Six Scenes and an Epilogue
Character: Joan of Arc
Written by: George Bernard Shaw
Manuela De Souza Ballet
Variation from the ballet Paquita
From the ballet: Paquita
Composed by: Ludwig Minkus
Choreography by: Marius Petipa
Connor Shim
Classical Instrumental
Oboe Concerto in C major, K. 314 1st Movement Composed by:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Accompanied by: Dr. Louise Thomas
Lilia Cerna Non-Classical Voice Home
Music & Lyrics by: Charlie Smalls
Arranged by: Jamey Tate
Emmet Althoen (Contemporary Instrumental), 15, is a sophomore at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), where he plays in the nationally recognized Ambassador Jazz Orchestra directed by John Reynolds. He has been playing piano since he was five-years-old and studies with Jeremy Siskind. Emmet’s compositions and arrangements are played by OCSA’s Wackerman Memorial Combo and Colburn School’s Thursday Night Combo. Awards Include: Essentially Ellington Festival Outstanding Soloist Award (2024), YoungArts competition winner (2026) and Spotlight Contemporary Instrumental Semifinalist (2025). Emmet is inspired by musicians from many genres and time periods, namely pianists like Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Keith Jarrett and Sullivan Fortner, and he hopes to pursue a musical career. He thanks his family, friends and teachers for helping him make it this far. This is Emmet’s second year participating in Spotlight
Emilia Bernstein (Classical Voice), 17, is a senior at San Marino High School, where she is a chorister and section leader in the Chamber Choir, directed by Derek Jamieson. She also sings in the Grammy® Award-winning Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, under Fernando Malvar-Ruiz. Emilia studies voice with Wendy Pylko. Performances include: Hansel and Gretel and Otello with LA Opera; the Second Spirit in Die Zauberflöte with the Chicago Summer Opera and 15 musical theatre productions. Honors include: Spotlight Classical Voice Semifinalist (2024 & 2025), Classical Singers Competition national semifinalist (2025), Vo-CAL first place awardee (2025) and Sante Fe National Youth Opera Academy scholarship winner (2026). Emilia will attend Northwestern University for voice and opera performance. She is forever grateful to her teachers, family, friends and the Spotlight community. This is Emilia’s third year participating in Spotlight
Lilia Cerna (Non-Classical Voice), 16, sophomore at Cabrillo Point Academy, has been singing and performing at church and other events since the age of three. She won her first competition at a school-wide talent show when she was six-years-old.
Lilia studies piano and violin and began private voice lessons three years ago at the Colburn School with Mike Stevens, where she is in the Musical Theatre program. She is a Herbert Zipper Scholar and was recently a soloist in Colburn’s Honors Recital. Lilia received a Spotlight Merit Award in Non-Classical Voice (2025). She enjoys writing songs, and her goal is to inspire others with her music. Lilia would like to thank her parents, brothers, grandparents and music teachers for their support in her musical journey. This is Lilia’s second year participating in Spotlight
Brooklyn Covington (Dance), 17, is a junior at Valencia High School and has been dancing since she was five-years-old. She trains at Studio 1 Dance Academy with director Jan Frishette and mentors Mandy Dray and Courtney Schwartz. She is member of the Valencia Dance Team’s national championship team (2025), coached by Andrew Allen. Awards include: Spotlight Dance Semifinalist (2025); Radix Protégé (2026, 2025, 2024, 2023); West Coast Elite Nationals, Sophomore Soloist, 2nd Place (2024); Showstopper, 2nd Place (2024, 2023); Hall of Fame Dance Challenge Inductee (2024, 2023); Hollywood Dance Connection, High Score Soloist (2022, 2021); Starbound Nationals, High Teen Elite Soloist Title (2023); and PTA Reflections National Award of Excellence for Dance Choreography (2019). She is grateful for the unwavering support of her teachers and family. This is Brooklyn’s second year participating in Spotlight.
Manuela De Souza (Ballet), 16, is a junior at Penn Foster Online High School. She trains with her mother, former professional ballerina Tatiana A’Virmond. Beginning at six-years-old, Manuela continued the dancing lineage led by her grandmother. Her training includes: Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive (2022); San Francisco Ballet Summer Intensive Scholarship (2023); American Ballet Theatre New York Summer Intensive (2024); Burbank Dance Academy (2015–2024); American Ballet Theatre JKO School (2024–2025); Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre Apprentice (2025); and Grand Ballet of Los Angeles Apprentice (2025). Awards include: Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) International Finals (2023, 2024, 2026); YAGP Semi-Finals 1st Place (2026); and YAGP 2026 New York Gala Youth Guest Artist. She is thankful to her parents, family, friends and teachers for their love and support. This is Manuela’s first year participating in Spotlight
Gracyn French (Dance), 17, is a junior at Mission Viejo High School. She trains at Project 21 with Molly Long, Renee Baldwin, Brady Rowen, Leah Silva, Sandrine Matterei, Jessica Markov and Jay Markov. Awards/Honors include: Spotlight Dance Semifinalist (2024 & 2025); KAR Future Star Award (2019); KAR Miss Petite Dance America Winner (2017); The Dance Awards female best dancer (2019); The Dance Awards female best dancer, top 3 (2019–2024); Radix Nationals Core Performer, top 3 (2019–2021); Dancespirit magazine cover (2020); and Showstopper feature article (2022). Favorite performance includes Dancing with the Stars Disney Night (2017). Gracyn is thankful for her teachers and family who have both supported and guided her through her dance journey, and she feels that, without all of them, this would not have been possible. This is Gracyn’s third year participating in Spotlight
Belle Gomer (Acting), 17, is a junior at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) in the theatre department and has been acting since she was five-years-old. Favorite roles include: Demdike in WITCH!, Chastity in 10 Things I Hate About You, Shelly/Jenny/ Tori in The Day the Internet Died and Voila in Twelfth Night. In addition to acting, Belle also loves to direct with the production company she created Brunette Productions. Directing projects include: Girl and Halls of Horror 6. Belle thanks her friends and family for always supporting her, all the wonderful actors, directors and teachers she has worked with who inspire and push her every day and the audiences she has been privileged to share her art with. This is Belle’s third year participating in Spotlight.
Afina Hiyori Gosla (Ballet), 16, is a sophomore at Cabrillo Point Academy and has been dancing since she was twoyears-old. She trains at Southland Ballet Academy under the direction of Salwa Rizkalla and is a Nikolay/Grishko Brand Ambassador. Achievements include: Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Finals (2021-2026); YAGP Semi-Finals (2021-2024), including Senior Classical 1st Place (2025, Los Angeles); YGP Europe Vicenza, Italy, Semi-Finals, Junior Final Round (2024); Helsinki International Ballet Competition, Candidate (2026); Spotlight Ballet Semifinalist (2025); Royal Ballet School, Short-Term Scholarship (2023, 2025); Princess Grace Academy of Monaco, Summer Intensive (2024); European School of Ballet, three-month Internship (2025); Accademia Teatro Alla Scala, Short-Term Scholarship (2025); Prix de Lausanne, Summer Intensive (2025). Afina thanks her family, friends and coaches, especially Salwa Rizkalla and Hanna Karacic. This is Afina’s second year participating in Spotlight.
Erin Liao (Classical Instrumental), 17, is a senior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS), where she is the principal flute in the Wind Ensemble. She has been playing the flute for seven years and studies with Catherine Ransom Karoly. Erin is the principal flute of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO). She recently won the PSYO Concerto Competition and will solo at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Hall. Awards include: National Youth Orchestra Flutist (2026) National YoungArts Winner in Classical Music (2026), National Flute Association High School Soloist Competition Finalist (2025), and From the Top Learning and Media Lab Fellow (2025). Erin will study Symbolic Systems and Computer Science next year at Stanford. She is deeply grateful for her parents, family, friends and teachers who have wholeheartedly supported her. This is Erin’s second year participating in Spotlight
Ansh Narsingh (Non-Classical Voice), 18, is a senior at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) in the Musical Theatre and Music Departments. Ansh also attended the Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Drama program. Roles include: Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Daniel in Once On This Island, Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance, Maxamillion in Candide, Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, and Kurt Kelly in Heathers. Ansh fell in love with performing in the 5th grade and is inspired by the way theatre and music bring people together. He will study musical theatre at the University of Michigan next year. Ansh would like to thank his directors and mentors at LACHSA as well as his family for their continued encouragement. This is Ansh’s second year participating in Spotlight
Ishaan Natarajan (Contemporary Instrumental), 16, is a junior at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where he performs in the premier Blue Note Combo and top jazz ensembles. He has studied music for over 12 years, including piano, drums, tabla and mridangam. Teachers include: Roy McCurdy, Jerrey Kalaf, Alex Hahn, Michael Ragonese and Mathew Stubbs. Ishaan is a Colburn Monday Night Combo and Modern Artist Jazz Group member. He is recognized by the Herbie Hancock Peer-to-Peer Program as a top arts high school jazz musician (2025-present). He participated in Berklee College of Music songwriting, film, television and game scoring programs (2022) and the Stanford Jazz Institute (2025), and has performed at LACMA and Catalina Jazz Club. Ishaan would like to thank his family and friends. This is Ishaan’s second year participating in Spotlight
Nyla Nevaeh (Acting), 17, is a junior at Girls Academic Leadership Academy. She began her artistic studies at her local YMCA and later studied at The Actors Studio, The Groundlings, Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy, California State Summer School of the Arts and NAACP ACT-SO theatre program. On-camera work includes student films Bright Heart and Vigilante, PSA and insurance commercials as well as portraying Young Tierra in Cypher. Stage roles include Gale and Dave in Almost, Maine. 2026 Awards include: YoungArts Winner with Distinction in Spoken/Theatre; The Gordon Parks Foundation Scholarship; and Omicron Mu Talent Hunt, 1st place. Nyla thanks God as well as her family, teachers and artistic mentors for their love and encouragement. She dedicates this performance to her grandmothers Carol Simmons and Loria Lee Dunlap. This is Nyla’s first year participating in Spotlight
Connor Shim (Classical Instrumental), 17, is a junior at Canyon High School. He began studying the oboe at the age of nine with Eundo Lee and has since studied with Ted Sugata of the Pacific Symphony and Ryan Roberts, LA Phil principal oboist and former Spotlight finalist. He has participated in masterclasses with Elaine Douvas of Juilliard. Connor serves as principal oboist of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (2023–2026) and participated in the Montecito Summer Festival (2024) and California All-State Orchestra (2024–2026). Honors & Awards include: National Young Maestro top prizes (2021); Charleston International Baroque (2022); Virtuoso Vienna Grand Prize (2023); Osaka Junior Music Competition, Semifinalist (2024); American Protégé International Woodwinds & Brass Competition (2025); and Westside Music Foundation’s David Weiss Concerto Competition, Finalist (2026). This is Connor’s first year participating in Spotlight
Lev Sakae Taira (Classical Voice), 17, is a senior at Laurel Springs School. His musical journey began after falling in love with Midori’s recording of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto, which inspired him to pick up the violin at the age of four. Lev studies voice with Derrick Lawrence, violin with Sam Fischer at the Colburn Community School and is mentored by Ann Setzer and Kathy Sawada. Awards include: Schmidt Southern California Regional Competitions, third prize (2024 & 2025); Classical Singer Vocal Competition, semifinalist (2024 & 2025); Opera Buffs Young Artists of the Future Encouragement Award (2025); CS All State Singer (2025 & 2026); Spotlight Classical Voice Semifinalist (2025) and Classical Instrumental Merit Award (2024 & 2025). He thanks his family and acknowledges his teachers and musical mentors. This is Lev’s fourth year participating in Spotlight.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Music Center acknowledges that, here in Los Angeles County, we are on the lands of the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh and Chumash Peoples, and we are thankful for their many years of stewardship of the land.
For The Music Center’s complete land acknowledgment, visit musiccenter.org/landacknowledgment.
SPECIAL
Lead
Muriel
WITH
The
Photo: John McCoy for The Music Center.
The Music Center’s Spotlight: The Journey to the Stage
The mission of The Music Center’s Spotlight is to provide a supportive environment where high school students can develop the skills needed to pursue their dreams with an emphasis on self-confidence, preparation and perseverance. Spotlight is a key part of The Music Center’s commitment to artistic excellence and advancing quality arts education for young people across Los Angeles County.
Whether or not these students pursue a career in the arts, Spotlight empowers them with the confidence and presentation skills to pursue their dreams in any field. Tonight’s performance represents the culmination of an intensive, year-long educational journey that includes the following components.
1
Preliminary Auditions
Students submit audition videos and advance to live auditions based on the recommendations of panels of judges. These judges send a personal letter with detailed feedback to each student, identifying their strengths and suggesting areas for improvement.
The Music Center presents cash scholarships, called Merit Awards, to select students in each preliminary category.
2
Mastery Classes
Each year, Spotlight offers mastery classes for Semifinalists led by renowned artists and arts educators across all program categories. Most classes are open to all applicants to observe and are designed to help students deepen their artistry, musicality and performance skills.
3
Semifinal Auditions
Semifinalists audition before panels of judges and receive feedback and cash scholarships. The Music Center names one student in each category as Honorable Mention and selects two students as Grand Prize Finalists. The 14 Grand Prize Finalists go on to perform at the Spotlight Grand Finale
4
The Spotlight Academy & Social Media
Students have access to an episodic series of online tutorial videos designed to help aspiring young artists gain valuable insights into arts careers, professional skills for arts careers, and tips for applying to Spotlight
The Music Center encourages students to follow @musiccenterspotlight on Facebook, Threads, Instagram and TikTok and @spotlightawards on X for updates on Spotlight and arts opportunities.
To apply to The Music Center’s Spotlight program and for more information, visit musiccenter.org or email spotlight@musiccenter.org.
We would like to thank each and every one of our Spotlight participants this year! Their excitement and commitment make ALL the difference!
39 Preliminary 1 & 2 Judges
Spotlight Finale
Creative Team
Jeri Gaile
Fredric Roberts, Senior Director
Spotlight
Dawn Comer Jefferson
Writer
Jamey Tate
Music Director
Karyn Lawrence
Lighting Designer
Derek Christiansen & Ruby O’Brien
Projection Designer, dpurpurea studio
Ben Kanselbaum
Sound Designer
Dr. Louise Thomas
Collaborative Artist
Bree Sherry
Stage Manager
Bridget Rooney & Cassy Sottile
Assistant Stage Managers
Diana Herrera
Assistant Lighting Designer
Production Staff
Taylor Comen
Senior Director, Producing
Patrick Traylor
Production Manager, Producing
Monique Carroll Associate Producer; Program Manager, Spotlight
Lauren Evans
Business Manager, TMC Arts
U-Jung Jung Coordinator, Producing
Jocelyn Garcia
Dance Residencies Program Manager, TMC Arts
Noah Gladstone Music Contractor
Smoketree Music LLC Music Clearance
Erin Clendenin
Photographer
John McCoy
Photographer
Will Yang
Videographer
The Music Center
Executive Staff
Rachel S. Moore
President & CEO
Howard Sherman
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
William Taylor
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Julia Diamond
Senior Vice President, TMC Arts
Susan Avila
Senior Vice President, Advancement
Shelby D. Boagni
Senior Vice President, People and Culture
Bonnie Goodman
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Above photo courtesy of Erin Clendenin for The Music Center. All other photos courtesy of John McCoy for The Music Center.
The Music Center Staff
Belby Aguillon Manager, Advancement Business Operations
Becky Birdsong Director, Legacy Giving
Colleen Blackler Senior Manager, Center Dance Arts
Jonathon Vanphravong Salesforce & Data Manager Performance Feedback Specialists
Megan Adcock
James Ady
Molly Bogunovic
Rhian Bristol
Aynsley Bubbico
Chelsea Chaves Tan
Emily Cruden
Gillian Finley
Dee Kaye Klega
Lee Lindenlaub
Kyla McCarrel
Megan McCarthy
Jared Storz
Leaha Villarreal
Spotlight Facilitators & Outreach
Presenters
Aynsley Bubbico
Emily Cruden
Megan Gillespie
Rebecca Hargrove
Dee Klega
Jennifer Marion
Zoe Rappaport
Spotlight Band
Jamey Tate Drums/Leader
George Doering
Guitar
Eric Sittner
Bass
Alan Steinberger
Piano
Ryan Whyman Keyboards
Spotlight Production Assistants
Ray David, Lead
Joy Diaz
Joseph Finton
Dylan Kant
Jose Herna
Jennifer Marion
Ahmanson Theatre House Staff
Christine L. Cox
House Manager
Bob Smith
Head of Audio
Scott Lucas
Head Properties
Jared Batty
Head Electrician
Shawn Anderson
Head Carpenter
Head Usher
Peggy Alvarez
The stage crew, wardrobe crew, makeup artists & hair stylists and box office staff are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States of America and Canada, AFL-CIO, CKC, Local Numbers 33, 768, 706 and 857, respectively. The House Managers employed by The Music Center are represented by the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers.
Welcome to The Music Center!
L.A.’s performing arts center is your place to enjoy the magic of live performances and special events, with the stories that unite us and the moments that remind us why the arts matter. Across our theatres, on Jerry Moss Plaza and in Gloria Molina Grand Park, there is always something to inspire and connect us all.
We are dedicated to ensuring you have the best possible experience here. Help us keep The Music Center safe, inclusive and welcoming for everyone by visiting musiccenter.org/guestagreement.
Find out what’s happening next at musiccenter.org—your guide to performances, celebrations and events across our campus.
@musiccenterla
General Information (213) 972-7211 | musiccenter.org
Support The Music Center (213) 972-3333 | musiccenter.org/support
TAKE A FREE TOUR!
Step behind-the-scenes of one of the world’s leading performing arts centers. Our free, 90-minute docent-led tours invite you to discover the stories, architecture and art that bring the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Walt Disney Concert Hall and Jerry Moss Plaza to life.
Tours run daily—visit musiccenter.org to check the schedule and make a day of it in Downtown L.A.!
2025/2026
OFFICERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Thomas L. Safran
Robert J. Abernethy
William
MEMBERS
Timothy S. Wahl
Jennifer M. Walske
Rollin A. Ransom
DIRECTORS
Peter K. Barker
Judith Beckmen
Ronald W. Burkle
A. Greenberg
Burr
M. Carvalho
B. Childs Cástulo de la Rocha
William E. Dolan
Amy R. Forbes
Greg T. Geyer
Joan E. Herman Jeffrey M. Hill Jonathan B. Hodge Mary Ann Hunt-Jacobsen Maria Rosario Jackson Ronald D. Kaplan
R. Leonard, Jr.
Richard K. Roeder
Joni J. Smith
Lisa Specht **
Cynthia A. Telles
James A. Thomas
Andrea L. Van de Kamp **
Thomas R. Weinberger
** Chair Emeritus
Current as of 4/29/26
John McCoy for The Music Center.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's James Gilmer and Samantha Figgins. Photo by Andrew Eccles.
Ignite a Dream. Fuel a Future. Support The Music Center’s Spotlight and help young artists shine. Your gift opens doors to world-class training, life-changing opportunities and the confidence to pursue their passions.
Donate today!
Above photo courtesy of Erin Clendenin for The Music Center. All other photos courtesy of John McCoy for The Music Center.
