When Isobel Anthony sings, the audience takes notice: the 17-year-old performs with poise, her voice crystalline in timbre and precise in pitch.
The Malibu High School junior is preparing for a summer jam-packed with continued practice and performances after recently being recognized by the Music Center of Los Angeles as a 2015 Grand Prize Finalist at the Spotlight Awards – a success she attributes to hard work and the supportive, quality instruction she’s received from teachers in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
“Being recognized as a finalist is a huge honor and an absolute dream come true,” Anthony said. “The competition process challenges me to grow as a vocalist and encourages me to continue to hone my craft.”
Anthony has been an active member of Malibu High’s award-winning choral music program since 6th grade and devotes her time to Malibu’s Chamber Singers, an advanced auditioned ensemble for students in grades 9-12, in after school rehearsals and performances.
“The musical instruction and opportunities Isobel has had over the years in our SMMUSD schools have been truly outstanding,” Isobel’s father, Pete Anthony said. “We have been so impressed with how supportive and committed her teachers have been to help our daughter grow in her abilities as a vocalist and musician.”
Anthony was one of 14 Grand Prize Finalists to be recognized among 1,600 student applications representing 450 schools across Southern California for Spotlight – a prestigious competition, scholarship and training program that encourages personal and artistic growth of Southern California High School students of all talent levels.
The application process, which began last September, culminated in a formal event held last month where all Spotlight winners, participants, family and friends were invited to attend a gala concert, complete with an orchestra, hosted at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
At the gala, Anthony sang the aria “O Luce di Quest’anima” from the opera Linda di Chamounix by Gaetano Donizetti.
As a finalist, Anthony will receive a $5,000 scholarship and an additional scholarship to attend the Aspen Music Festival for summer 2016, which will offer more than 300 musical events to attendees during its eight-week summer season.
In addition to the Spotlight honor, Anthony was named a winner in the 2015 National Young Arts Foundation competition, receiving an honorable mention in Classical Voice. Each year, approximately 11,000 students apply to YoungArts in all categories, and this year, just 786 winners were chosen. YoungArts then awarded Anthony a full scholarship to attend the Washington National Opera Institute for high school singers this summer.
“We congratulate Isobel on her recent accomplishments and wish her a productive and fun summer,” Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Sandra Lyon said. “We are proud that she is a product of great programs and exemplary teachers in SMMUSD and look forward to watching her career blossom.”
Upon graduation from Malibu High next year, Anthony hopes to attend a prominent music program at an east coast college and eventually sing and tour with opera companies across the world.
“Music is my passion,” Anthony said. “I want to travel around the world and sing onstage surrounded by great conductors and orchestras. That would be an absolute dream come true.”
