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2010 Competitors and Results2010 WinnersFor Musical Theatre
FIRST PLACE: Hannah Schwartz
Hannah is a senior at the Orange County High School of the
Arts. Her favorite roles to date include Sheila in A Chorus Line, Nancy in
Oliver!, and Babe Williams in The Pajama Game. She has been in numerous other
productions such as Chess (Naomi), Forbidden Broadway (Bebe Neuwirth), The Music
Man (Alma Hix), High School Musical (Taylor McKessie and Gabriella Montez),
Nunsense (Sister Robert Anne), Godspell (Joanne), Little Women and Grease. She
was a semi-finalist and awarded 3rd place in the 2009 and 2010 LA Music Center’s
Spotlight Awards Competition. She won Young Singer of the Year for Female
Musical Theater Voice 2009. She also received Honorable Mention for the NFAA
Young Arts Theater Non-Spoken Division. She has performed in shows with Danny
Gurwin, Cathy Rigby, David Burnham, Terri Bibb, and Karen Culliver. Hannah has
sung the National Anthem multiple times for the OC Gladiators and the American
Cancer Society. She was a member of OCHSA’s a’capella group, Unplugged, and is
currently a member of both OCHSA’s Montage and MTU’s Kids Next Door. Hannah has
performed for or with Broadway’s Scott Alan, Jason Robert Brown, Matthew
Morrison, Susan Egan and Lindsay Mendez.
RUNNER UP: Samantha Grossman
Samantha is a junior attending the Orange County High School of the Arts. She has been singing and dancing since nine when she started her career on a professional stage at the American Girl Theatre in New York. Over the years on both coasts, Samantha has had the privilege of working and training with some of the most talented individuals including, but not limited to, Kelli O’Hara, David Burnham, Danny Gurwin, Susan Egan, Steven Lutvak, Anne Runolfsson, Skylar Astin, Kate Guyton and Judy Kuhn. This past summer she was accepted and attended the prestigious NYU/CAP 21 program. Samantha has performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in OCHSA’s Season Finale for the past two years as the only freshman chosen to perform in the Musical Theatre Montage, directed by Susan Egan. Most recently, Samantha performed at The Laguna Playhouse in Stuart Little. Other show credits include: Babes in Arms (Susie-MACY Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role Award recipient), Cinderella (MACY Award), The King and I, Fable Factory (Mary Ann), The Happy Prince and Under the Bridge. She feels honored to be among the finalists of the Stars of Tomorrow competition and thanks her family for their undying support.
For Classical
FIRST PLACE: Trisha Mitra
Trisha Mitra is 17 years old and music has been her
constant companion from as far back as she can remember. She is considered a
musician’s musician due to her extensive training, both vocal and instrumental,
and by virtue of her expertise in music theory and sight reading.
RUNNER UP: Holly Starr
Holly Starr, 17, is a senior at Mission Viejo High School. She has studied voice with Joan Simonek for the past six years. She placed in the Southern California Rotary Club Young Singer of the Year and in the Temecula Valley Classical Vocal Competitions. Holly is a semi-finalist in the 2010 Music Center Spotlight Awards. This summer, Holly will participate in the Tuscia Opera Festival in Italy under the direction of Claudio Ferri where she will perform in the opera “Suor Angerlica”. She will continue her undergraduate studies in vocal performance and plans to pursue a career in opera. Holly is thrilled to participate in the “Stars of Tomorrow” and would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support. Thanks to all 2010 Competitors!Music Theatre Leah Bray Classical
Joelle Adamson 2009 Winners
FIRST PLACE: Matthew Lulofs Tenor, Matthew Lulofs, is a junior attending the opera conservatory at the
Orange County High School of the Arts. He studies voice privately with Alvin
Brightbill and piano with Katie Franklin. In the past, he appeared in Opera
Pacific’s production of Carmen as a dancer and he has sung principal
roles at their camp for the operas: The Emperor's New Clothes, Christopher
Columbus, The Star Child, and The Tinker of Tivoli. Matthew has
performed in OCHSA’s season finale as Prunier in La Rondine with soprano
Robin Follman at OCPAC, as well as Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi, and other
recitals and opera scenes throughout the conservatory. His accolades also
include many academic and athletic awards, a 4.20 GPA and he is active in
service to the various communities of Orange County. He placed first in the
Laila S. Conlin Vocal Competition (2007), won the Rotary Singer of the Year
Competition (2008), Tomorrow’s Stars at the Center (2008), was an L.A. Music
Center Spotlight Awards semi-finalist (2008, 2009), and a South Coast Symphony
finalist (2008). Furthermore, he has received two directors awards while in the
Pacific Chorale Boys Chorus and the Middle School Opera Conservatory at OCHSA.
SECOND PLACE: Hannah Schwartz Hannah Schwartz is 17 and a junior at the Orange County High School of the
Arts. She was recently seen in The Pajama Game as Babe Williams. She has
been in numerous other productions such as The Music Man (Alma Hix),
High School Musical (Taylor McKessie), Nunsense (Sister Robert Anne),
Godspell (Joanne), Little Women, Grease and Once on This
Island. She was a semi-finalist in the 2009 LA Music Center’s Spotlight
Awards Competition. She’s performed in shows with Danny Gurwin, Cathy Rigby,
David Burnham, Terri Bibb, and Karen Culliver. She was Gabriella Montez in the
production of High School Musical at the Embassy Suites in LA for the
Sara Lee Corporation. She has sung the National Anthem multiple times for the OC
Gladiators and the American Cancer Society. She was also a member of OCHSA’s
acapella group, Unplugged.
THIRD PLACE: Rachel Rothman Rachel Rothman is ecstatic and humbled to be participating in the Stars of
Tomorrow competition for the third year in a row. Rachel is a senior at Dana
Hills High School and has been a member of SOCSA (South Orange County School of
the Arts) throughout the past four years, majoring in voice. Rachel has not only
been in the main stage musicals in the Porthole Theatre, but she has also made
appearances in many other shows, including various performances with different
genres of music. Although Rachel always thought of musical theatre as her
passion, she has recently become interested in the study and performance of
classical voice/ opera. Rachel would in no way be where she is today without the
help and love of her family, close friends, teachers, and mentors from
synagogue. A huge thanks goes out to her parents and brother, as well as her
closest friends whether they’re near or far apart! Thanks to all 2009 Competitors!Thanks to all the competitors in the 2009 Stars of Tomorrow. Scroll down to see all of the competitors, or click a name to jump to their bio.
Molly Boggess A Junior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, Molly Boggess has been performing on stage since she was five years old. Molly has won numerous first place awards for her singing earning the title of state honors classical vocalist multiple times. She has been studying for 8 years with Kathleen Martin. Molly has appeared in La Boheme at the OC Performing Arts Center and has proudly been a cast member in 6 Opera Pacific children’s productions at the Barclay and Claire Trevor Theaters. Molly has enjoyed lead roles in: Into the Woods, The Wizard of Oz, Seussical the Musical and Enchanted Sleeping Beauty. She has performed with Junior Chamber Music trios and quintets and has performed at Carnegie Hall with her High School Honor Choir. Molly was selected to attend the prestigious Northwestern University School of Music intensive summer program. She would like to thank everyone who has helped her on this journey.
Jeremy Costello Jeremy Costello is extremely honored to be a finalist in the Stars of
Tomorrow competition. In sixth grade choir, he had the only male solo
performance and figured it to be his calling. Deciding to pursue singing, he
performed in The King And I while in middle school. In high school, he
performed in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
as a character with a solo performance. He has been in choir all four years at
Irvine High School. During his freshman year he was part of the Bass Choir led
by Mr. Richard Messenger who taught him sight singing and other useful
techniques. As a sophomore, he was accepted in Irvine Singers and Chorale (the
two top choirs), as well as Jazz Choir. He’s had the honor of performing in many
festivals at wondrous venues such as OCPAC, Hawaii, Santa Barbara, Concordia
University and Cal State Fullerton. Jeremy is excited for future career
opportunities in performing arts and would like to thank his parents, Mr.
Messenger, Krysta Rahmatula, and his girlfriend, Katherine Tung, for their
continued support.
Dana DeBano Dana DeBano is thrilled to be a finalist of the South Coast Singers Stars of
Tomorrow Vocal Scholarship Competition. This will be her first year as a
participant in the competition, and she would like to thank everyone who made it
possible. Dana is currently a senior at Dana Hills High School, and a four year
vocal major of South Orange County School of the Arts. Past credits include
Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz, Alice in Bye Bye Birdie, Annie in Annie,
Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Hot Mikado, ensemble, and Fiddler on the Roof,
ensemble. She has also been a soloist in SOCSA’s Showcases, as well as Broadway
Nights, and Oldies Nights. She plans to pursue musical theater next year in
college and hopes to make a career out of her love for performing. She would
like to thank God for the many blessings; Mr. Woods for his encouragement; her
family for their support and love and the South Coast Singers for the amazing
opportunity.
Michael Groover Michael Groover is a proud member of the senior class at Dana Hills High
School. He is currently majoring in Theater Arts at DHHS through the unique and
diverse SOCSA program. SOCSA has changed Michael’s life in more ways than one,
and for that he is eternally grateful! Michael has been featured in such great
musicals and plays as Fiddler on the Roof
(Lazar Wolf ), The Wiz (The Cowardly Lion), Noises Off !
(Selsdon), Bye Bye Birdie (Mr. MacAfee), and The Crucible
(Reverend Hale). He has also been featured in SOCSA’s Broadway Nights,
Oldies Night, Opera Night 2008, and Showcase. Michael has been
coached by Mrs. Pattie Sexton, taught by Mr. Raymond Woods, and studied under
the direction of Brittany and Nathan Longdon and would like to thank them for
their support these past four years. He’d also like to thank his Mom and family
for supporting him in everything he does and letting him sing his heart out...
even when it gets annoying! He is grateful to the SOT competition for allowing
him here, and he wishes his fellow competitors good luck as they sing it out
this afternoon! Thank you, and enjoy today’s amazing musical performances!
Liz Kunce Liz Kunce is a 17 year old junior at El Toro High School. Since she was 3 years old, she has been singing for the captive audience of her family. She has been performing at Musical Theatre Village since the age of 9 and has performed in such well known shows as The Sound of Music, Little Shop of Horrors, and The King and I. She participates in the all girls audition choir, Choralistics, at ETHS and was awarded Outstanding Sophomore Choir member last year by her peers. She performed in the Musical Theatre Competitions of America (MTCA) in February of 2008 and was honored to receive a first place award for a solo piece. In her spare time she sings with the worship band at her church, TerraNova. Liz would like to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York, and eventually perform on Broadway.
James Nathan Luby James Nathan Luby is a senior at Laguna Beach High School where he has been involved in music, drama and dance. He started his singing career as a member of The Southern California Children’s Chorus, where he performed for eight years. Currently, he is a member of his school choir. His favorite performances are singing and playing the guitar at the annual Laguna Beach High School’s No Suits Allowed Concerts, a fundraiser for a safe and sober grad night. James plans on continuing his studies of the performing arts in college. In short, music is a huge part of his life and he is very grateful for the opportunity to perform in the Stars of Tomorrow vocal competition.
Trisha Mitra Trisha Mitra is 16 years old and music has been her constant companion from as long as she can remember. She is considered a musician’s musician due to her extensive training, both vocal and instrumental, and by virtue of her expertise in music theory and sight reading. Trisha is an accomplished pianist and is on track to obtain the MTAC Level 10 Certificate of Merit by March 2009. She has participated in several piano competitions sponsored by the Irvine Chapter of the MTAC and has placed in the top three spots several times. Trisha as a vocalist spans several genres such as Classical, Opera, Jazz, Choral, Musical Theater, contemporary, and Indian Classical music. At age 9 she was the youngest inductee into Pacific Chorale Children’s Chorus. Later she was also a member of the Southern California Children’s Chorus. As a junior at Irvine High School, Trisha is a member of The IHS Chorale, and the Irvine Singers. She was also a member of the IHS Jazz Choir. She has rendered several solo performances in High School. Trisha is taught vocal technique by her teacher, Jessica Caravella, whom she would like to thank for all her hard work and encouragement. Trisha would like to thank her friends and family for being extremely supportive.
Ryan Morris Ryan Morris is a sophomore at Sage Hill School where he is a member of Concert Choir and Sage Hill Singers. He has been singing and performing since he was eight. Past performances include Peter Pan at Saddleback College (Michael), Honk at Laguna Playhouse (Billy), Amahl and The Night Visitors at Dana Hills High School (Amahl), Tinker of Tivoli with Opera Pacific Opera Camp (Luigi) and Tosca with the L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl (Shepherd Boy). He would like to thank his family for their love and support and his vocal coach, Kathleen Martin, for eight years of wonderful instruction. He is grateful for the opportunity to participate in Stars of Tomorrow.
Micah Nameroff Micah Nameroff discovered her love for the stage at the age of 3. She has spent most of her after-school and weekend hours at dance lessons, acting training, voice lessons, rehearsals and performances. Micah currently takes ballet, pointe, jazz and lyrical at the Pacific School of Ballet in Laguna Hills. She polishes her musical theatre skills at the California Conservatory of the Arts where she is in her fifth year. Most of her summer weeks are spent in training and she has attended intensives at Broadway Theatre Project (Tampa), Debbie Allen Dance Academy (Los Angeles), the Rockette Intensive (Long Beach), and the American Theatre Dance workshop (Long Island , NY). She has worked with and performed with many Broadway stars such as Oscar and Grammy recipient Stephen Schwartz, Tony nominated Jonelle Allen, Andrew Lippa (composer of The Wild Party and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown), Stephanie J. Block (9 to 5, Pirate Queen, Wicked, and The Boy from Oz) and Lindsey Mendez (Jan in the revival of Grease.) Micah is currently auditioning for universities across the country in hopes of pursuing a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre.
Katie Perkins Katie Perkins is a junior at Dana Hills High School and an extremely active
member of the Southern California School of the Arts (SOCSA) program. Katie has
been in many SOCSA performances, including productions of The Wiz, Hot
Mikado, and Fiddler on the Roof (the Fiddler.) She was also in the
pit orchestra for SOCSA’s last production of Bye Bye Birdie. Katie hopes
to go on to double major in classical voice and violin performance. She would
like to thank Stars of Tomorrow for this wonderful opportunity, Ray Woods for
his constant guidance, Linda Linnebach for her amazing teaching, and her family
and friends for their constant love and support.
Stephanie Shimer Stephanie Shimer is a senior at Tesoro High School. She began her vocal training four years ago and performs in her high school choir and musical theater productions. In college she plans to double major in Music Education and Performance with a Choral Conducting Emphasis, and minor in German. Stephanie has performed in Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Disney Concert Hall and at Carnegie Hall with various choirs. While in the Tesoro High School Choir she participated in the ACDA Golden State South Choral Competition at which they won first place.
Taylor Wahl Taylor Wahl is a senior at Dana Hills High School and a vocal major in the
South Orange County School of the Arts (SOCSA) program. She has participated in
several showcases and competitions, and received an award of special recognition
from Southern California Vocal Association’s (SCVA) classical competition.
Taylor has participated in several out of school productions, including the
Wizard of Oz, Annie, Big River, Oliver,
Bye Bye Birdie, and The Music Man. She was last seen as Abigail
Williams in the SOSCA Actor’s Repertory production of The Crucible. You
may have also seen her this year as Margie in SOSCA’s fall production of Bye
Bye Birdie, or last year as Addaperle in The Wiz or Chava in
Fiddler on the Roof. Taylor hopes to major in theatre or musical theatre at
a 4-year university and pursue a career in the performing arts. She would like
to thank her family and friends for all of the rides, love and support, and Joan
Simonek, Mr. Woods, Pattie Sexton, and Brittany Longdon for helping her to
become the best performer possible.
Julie Wickstrom Julie Wickstrom is a Sophomore in the SOCSA at Dana Hills High School. This
is Julie’s first year performing in Stars of Tomorrow and she couldn’t be more
pleased to be a part of this exciting event. You may have seen Julie performing
in SOCSA’s productions of The Wiz,
The Crucible, and Bye Bye Birdie, as well as many Broadway
Nights, Jazz Nights, Opera Nights, Oldies Nights, and
Showcases. In her first two years of high school at Dana Hills she has
learned so much about her voice thanks to the glorious help of Mr. Woods and
Linda Rose Linnebach, whom she currently studies voice with. Julie has a love of
many different genres of music, however, her vocal background consists of Jazz,
Blues, and Musical Theater. Julie has also learned about the importance and
technique of acting from the brilliant acting coaches at SOCSA, Patricia Sexton,
Brittany Longdon, Erin Williams, and Chelsea Newman. Julie would also like to
thank her amazing parents for constantly supporting and encouraging her love for
the arts, without them she would surely be nowhere. Thank you and enjoy the
show!
Emma K. Werderman Raised in Laguna Niguel, California, Emma K. Werderman is a classical and
jazz singer still exploring the unknowns of her talents through her high school
experience. After learning to sing along and play piano at the age of seven, she
started focusing more on her vocal talents. She claims, “I learned to sing more
by imitation, and then I began to develop my own style.” Emma has been taking
voice lessons since entering middle school in 2005. Now in the tenth grade,
attending Dana Hills High School, her current goals include continuing to study
voice, improving her guitar skills, and gaining more experience on stage. Previous Winners
2008 – Erika Peterson
2007 – Michael Casabianca
2006 & 2005 – John Myers |
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