By Hanna McGuire
Sports Editor
Senior Hannah McDermott has struck a note above her competitors by winning the Music Center Spotlight Award for classical voice. Not only has McDermott’s talent taken her to competitions like this, but it has also given her the opportunity to attend The Julliard School next fall.
For four years, McDermott has competed in the Spotlight Awards competition, where Southern California high school students perform in categories ranging from jazz instrumental to ballet.
In McDermott’s division, 350 students made the first cut. From there, the vocalists sang two songs to the panel of judges, and then 15 semifinalists were chosen.
Those who were picked received lessons from and worked very closely with professional opera singer Cynthia Munzer.
“The people at the Music Center are so nurturing and they want you grow as a young artist,” McDermott said. “I’ve been participating in this for four years and every time I come back, there is such a friendly feel; it’s the most incredible experience.”
Out of the 15 semifinalists, two students were selected as finalists. McDermott and the other finalist, senior Daniel McGrew from Orange County, performed on April 30 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in front of about 2,500 people.
“I wore this beautiful red wedding dress; it was amazing,” McDermott said. “All of the lights were on me, and although I was nervous, I was having so much fun.”
For her final performance, McDermott sang the French piece “Que Fais – Tu Blanche Tourtelle.” McDermott received $5,000 for winning, while McGrew earned $4,000. Overall, more than $100,000 in scholarships was awarded to participants.
McDermott was not the only one excited by her victory. Since she was three, her family has been watching her transform into the award-winning artist that she is today.
“Hannah is so impressive, and we are so proud of her,” mother Anne Marie McDermott said. “All of those kids are amazing and have trained so hard; Hannah is no different.”
McDermott first fell in love with classical music when her grandmother took her to her first opera. Since then, McDermott has been inspired by opera singers like Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne.
“My grandma really got the ball rolling for me,” McDermott said. “She used to blast Pavarotti on the radio, and I just loved it.”
Given McDermott’s interest in music, it was only natural for her to apply to music schools. After auditioning at 10 schools and receiving multiple acceptance letters, McDermott decided to attend The Juilliard School in New York City.
“When we found out that Hannah had gotten in, we were ecstatic,” Anne Marie McDermott said. “I knew that Juilliard was where she wanted to go, and I think it’s a perfect fit for her.”
Being accepted to Juilliard is no small feat. McDermott considered the application process the most strenuous and exhausting audition that she went through.
“I flew out to New York with my mom and sang two songs for the entire faculty,” McDermott said. “Then I met with a diction coach, had an ear training test, an interview and finally a written test. Overall, it took about five hours.”
About 600 students apply to The Juilliard School each year, and only about 60 are chosen for live auditions.
According to The Juilliard School’s website, the percent of students admitted is 7.4 percent. McDermott was not only accepted, but she also received a scholarship.
“Applying to music school is very different than applying to normal colleges because of the prescreening CD’s and the auditioning,” Anne Marie McDermott said. “Taking Hannah to all of the schools was like the ‘Amazing Race’ because we never knew what she was going to have to face at an audition.”
After Juilliard, McDermott hopes to attend graduate school for singing and reach her ultimate goal of becoming an opera singer. Regardless of where she ends up, McDermott knows that music will always be a part of her life. Her next recital will be on June 12 at the Trinity Lutheran Church at 1:30 p.m.
“Singing feels like a natural way to express myself,” McDermott said. “Music is a universal language; everyone take something from it.”
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