From a list of 94 nominees, the following 14 students have been named as semifinalists for the 2021 Artist of the Year in dance. The students were chosen by a panel of teachers based on written statements, performance videos and artistic résumés.

Included are links to their work, the specialty in which they were nominated, and quotes about how they relate to their craft.

Dancers have been nominated in the specialties of concert dance, commercial dance, street dance, and world/cultural dance.

During the final round of adjudication, students participate in a virtual interview this year to comply with COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.  They submitted additional samples of their work and recorded answers to interview questions which were viewed and evaluated by a panel of distinguished artistic professionals and faculty members from Southern California universities as well as a few representative high school teachers.

One finalist in each specialty will be named and from those finalists, one Artist of the Year in each of the seven disciplines – theater, dance, instrumental music, vocal music, film, handcrafted visual arts and computer-assisted visual arts – will then be named a 2021 Artist of the Year.

The Artists of the Year will be announced on May 2.

This program is generously sponsored by the Chapman University College of Performing Arts. Additional support is provided by the Laguna College of Art + Design and the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University.

If you would like to become a sponsor for the Artist of the Year program, contact Heide Janssen at ocartistoftheyear@gmail.com.

Corah Abbott, senior, Orange County School of the Arts

Specialty: Concert dance

“Whether portraying a character in a ballet or an original piece, dancers are driven by complex and thought provoking topics. Through art, we can converse in movement-based communication giving rise to conversations that are relevant in our society including social issues and mental health awareness.”

Maya Elizabeth Alvarez-Coyne, senior, Orange County School of the Arts

Specialty: World/cultural dance

“My dedication to Irish dancing is more than just performing on stage for a trophy. It is devoting 12 hours almost every weekend to dance rehearsals and sacrificing social activities with friends because of my busy training schedule. As training became more intense, my Irish dance peers began to quit, and thoughts of giving up filled my head. But in every moment of discouragement, I saw an opportunity to work even harder.”

Michaela Maureen Capulong, junior, Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts

Specialty: Concert dance

“As a young dancer, the physical realms of dance always came relatively easy for me; it was always the lack of artistry that held me back. It was only after years of being in the dance industry that I discovered I was confined merely to a box of what I was being instructed to do by my teachers. And artistry could not exist within those boundaries; it would have to come from myself. I would be lying if I said stepping out of the safety of that imaginary box was not terrifyingly daunting. But, at the same time, it was so freeing.”

Sophia Chung, junior, Northwood High School

Specialty: Commercial dance

“Oftentimes artistic expression is projecting to the audience and conveying emotions so that others can feel what the performer is trying to deliver as a message. But to me, an artist is not someone that gets the best reaction or emotion to the viewers, but someone who is able to feel that emotion for themselves.”

Lyla Davey, senior, Huntington Academy of Dance

Specialty: Concert dance

“As a dancer, I feel that my art is defined by the expression of myself through movement and music. I am my best artist when I am performing and collaborating with other dancers, directors and an audience. I am an artist when I take the steps and make them my own, whether it be a simple exercise in class, or a complex variation. I am an artist when I add my own personality into the movements.”

Jessie Ann Hernandez, senior, Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts

Specialty: Concert dance

“In my life, I know that I am an artist because I want my art to be the impetus to something for someone else. Whether it is through teaching children to dance in an after-school program, or performing in front of hundreds of people in a concert auditorium, I want my art to impact other people in a way that brings forward change and light through the expression of creativity.”

Calista McCanna, junior, San Juan Hills High School

Specialty: Commercial dance

“An artist is someone who is able to create and execute a message or idea to convey to an audience using any medium. Whether it’s through dance, music, visual art or more, individuals can outlet to express themselves exploring more about who they are inside and out. An individual who is an artist expresses traits of creativity, open mindedness to new ideas and can tell a story.”

Lucas McCollum-VanHoosear, junior, Orange County School of the Arts

Specialty: World/cultural dance

“Dancers speak without words. To speak with one’s body requires technique as a means of conveying an emotion. This takes a great amount of strength and skill. It also takes dedication. Dancing helps to relieve the stress of everyday life. As a dancer, I escape from reality when my feet hit the dance floor. I live for the art of making intricate moves seem simple, calm and collected in smooth dances.”

Shreya Patel, senior, Troy High School

Specialty: Commercial dance

“Artists are special because of their dedication to hours in the studio and exploration of creativity. From a young age, dance has served as my creative outlet. In my artistic journey, I have discovered a sense of freedom and empowerment which has lead me to a place of inner peace.”

Rodrigo Francisco Rea, senior, Orange County School of the Arts

Specialty: World/cultural dance

“Though dance I have learned discipline, adaptability and responsibility. I have also learned the great power of practice and how to be a team player. Learning these skills has positively affected both my academic and social life. Academically, the difference has been tremendous. As I became a better dancer I also became a better student.”

Abigail Reyes, senior, Crean Lutheran High School

Specialty: Commercial dance

“Teaching dancers how to maintain a healthy body and mind is extremely important. I have witnessed the direct connection between maintaining a healthy body and having lasting success in the rigors of a dance career. Pursuing a career in dance also comes with the countless opportunities to serve others by using our artistry. Throughout my four years of high school, I was part of a club called “Halo Dance for Autism” where I used my ability as a dancer to raise awareness for children with autism.”

Danielle Silver, junior, Orange County School of the Arts

Specialty: Commercial dance

“In my art form of dance, my favorite stories to share are my personal life experiences. Dance provides artists the opportunity to show people who they are without a verbal exchange of words. I take advantage of this opportunity by telling a story through movement and connection to music, with stories of joy, pain, fear, or other emotions all people understand.”

Miranda Van, senior, Fullerton Union High School

Specialty: Street dance

“I feel like dance has helped me mature emotionally and mentally. Life is full of obstacles. There will be times when I feel lost and so many things are being thrown at me. Dance has taught me how to feel those things and ultimately, think through them. It is OK to feel a certain way because we are human, but it all comes down to how we handle those emotions.”

Dawson Charles Walker, senior, Orange County School of the Arts

Specialty: Commercial dance

“For me, dance is much more than just movement on a stage. Nowadays the possibilities of creating art with dance are endless. Recently, I have been really into the filming medium and the incorporation of site-specific dance works. Due to COVID-19, I have found myself in my thoughts everyday choreographing and thinking of cool innovative ways to shoot things.”

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