Chloe Stavis and Milla Moretti take the stage in Spotlight
Grace Gyepes and Sophie Salem, Staff Writers
It’s that time of year again; time for Samo students to take the stage and sing their heart out for the world to see. There are hundreds of choir students in the Los Angeles area and all sorts of singing competitions, including Spotlight. Spotlight is a scholarship program open to all Southern California high school students who have a passion for the performing arts. It is connected to The Music Center and is designed to allow students to explore professionalism in auditioning, as well as provide young artists with invaluable feedback that will go towards honing their skills, igniting perseverance and boosting self-esteem. There are seven different categories students can enter in: acting, ballet, dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrument and jazz instrumental. This year, Samo choir students Chloe Stavis (’22) and Milla Moretti (’22) have made it to the semifinals.
Chloe Stavis
Stavis has been performing her whole life and is currently excelling in Southern California’s Spotlight Competition. She has always had a love for singing and Samo gave her the opportunity to expand her passion. Stavis is one of Samo choir’s co-presidents as well as a section leader for the sopranos in the Madrigals ensemble. She is also president of the Valkyries, an acapella group through Samo. To Stavis, taking on these leadership roles has been an incredibly rewarding experience, teaching her important life and musicianship skills.
“When it comes to future plans, it 100% involves music and the performing arts. As a kid, I was constantly putting on improvised shows for my mom to see. I would make up songs on the spot or sing to my favorite ones. I would ‘conduct’ concerts with my fairy wand baton and stand on my analog scale podium,” Stavis said.
This past year, Stavis auditioned in both classical and non-classical voice for Spotlight and has made it as a semi-finalist in both categories. Only 16 people make it to semi-finals in each category out of over a thousand students who audition each year. This was Stavis’ first time becoming a semi-finalist in non-classical voice, but her second time in classical voice.
Currently she is up for grand prize finalist in either category. If she progresses in the competition, she will get the opportunity to perform in one of The Music Center’s grand theaters, the Ahmanson. This is Stavis’ fourth year in Spotlight and she has learned so much from the competitions and couldn’t be more grateful.
“It would not only be such an honor to perform on that stage, but a complete full-circle moment. The Ahmanson is where I saw my first ever show at five years old and where I came to the realization that I wanted to pursue a career in performing arts. Spotlight has given me a lot more self-confidence in what I do. With all the feedback I’ve received throughout the years, it’s really helped me to understand my voice better and how to utilize it in a healthier and more open way,” Stavis said.
Milla Moretti
Moretti has also just been pronounced a semifinalist for the Music Center’s Spotlight singing competition. Samo students and those who have attended choir concerts have likely heard the name “Milla Moretti.” Her audience may hear her unique voice and hear about her accomplishments, but there is so much more to Moretti. Her voice has been brought to the limelight through her immense determination and perseverance and it is clear she is going to go far.
Ever since she was little, Moretti’s life has revolved around singing. From singing in the shower to the center of the Barnum Hall stage, Moretti has set everything aside to become the singer she has always dreamed of. Moretti spends almost all her time in the Samo choir room; it is almost like a second home. With one choir period, a teacher’s assistant choir period and flex time, she practically lives at Samo. This is Moretti’s first year being a TA and she absolutely loves the responsibility and leadership she has been able to take on. As a TA, Milla grades the younger students’ music and assists choir teacher Jeffe Huls in teaching the class. Just last week, Moretti was put in charge of grading the students on their rhythmic accuracy.
Besides her involvement in Samo choir, Moretti also takes private voice lessons outside of school. Through these lessons, Moretti prepares for college auditions as well as vocal competitions, one being Spotlight.
“I have participated in Spotlight for the past four years and really enjoy competition,” Moretti said.
This competition specifically challenged Moretti’s classical voice which she truly enjoys. This year, Moretti is a semifinalist in the competition for the second year in a row. Moretti has sang her heart out to get to this point and now she is finally here.
Each year, $100,000 in scholarships are given to students and Grand Prize Finalists are given the opportunity to perform at one of The Music Center’s grand theaters. So, who’s going to get the gold?
Chloe Stavis has competed in Spotlight for four years and is involved in singing in and out of Samo. She uses this competition as a way to improve and gain confidence as a singer.
Milla Moretti is heavily invovled in the choir community at Samo and spends much of her time in the choir room. This year she is a semifinalist in Spotlight for the second year in a row.