Mountain Folk: March 11, 2021
Idyllwild Arts Academy student Shukhrat Turdikhodjaev is one of 112 southern California high school semifinalists in The Music Center’s 33rd annual Spotlight Program.
Turdikhodjaev is a semifinalist in the jazz instrumental category.
“Each semifinalist will audition virtually again before a new panel of judges, who will then select the top two finalist performers in each category for a total of 14 Grand Prize Finalists,” The Music Center explained.
Each category will also name an honorable mention.
The semifinalists receive $300 and grand prize finalists will each receive a $5,000 scholarship. The honorable mention recipients will receive $1,000 scholarships and five merit award winners will each receive $100.
Turdikhodjaev went through two rounds of auditions with almost 1,500 students from 275 schools.
The grand prize finalists will perform at 7 p.m. May 22.
Spotlight alumni include Misty Copeland, Josh Groban, Adam Lambert and Kris Bowers.
