In the Spotlight

Paula Pisani

Like many 17-year-olds, Alex Torrico likes to sing in the shower.

But you’re not likely to hear many teenagers belt out an aria from

“Otello.”

Alex will compete Monday in the 12th annual Spotlight Awards, where he

will sing the operatic “Vittoria Mio Core!”

The local baritone-tenor is one of 12 young performers from Southern

California chosen from 67 semifinalists to perform in the competition. He

will compete in the classical voice category. The other categories are

ballet, jazz and modern dance, nonclassical voice, classical instrumental

music and jazz instrumental music.

More than 800 high school students tried out for the competition.

Although the Edison High School junior was a bit nervous at the tryouts,

Alex said he regained his confidence as soon as he sang the first note of

“Vittoria.”

“I knew I did really good, and it was up to the judges,” he said. “When

they called my name, I had a heartbeat in my head. Then everything

relaxed.”

He doesn’t remember walking up in front of everyone and hearing the

applause.

Alex has always enjoyed singing, but he said he knew he wasn’t like

everyone else one day during fourth-grade choir practice.

“Something came out, and I couldn’t describe it. I knew I had something

special, and my teachers knew too,” he recalled.

“He has a gift of voice. He’s an incredible singer,” commented Joe Kral,

vocal teacher at Edison High School and Alex’s vocal coach for three

years. “He has a great history of singing. We’re hoping he’ll take the

Spotlight Award this year.

Alex’s resume is already impressive. It includes a six-year soloing stint

for the All American Boy’s Choir and appearances in the “Glory of

Christmas” at the Crystal Cathedral and the operas “Carmen” and “Otello”

at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

He has also performed with the Vienna Choir Boys and hopes to pursue a

career in musical theater and opera.

Beside traveling, Alex said his favorite part about singing is the

challenge.

“A lot of people think singing is pretty easy, but you have to work hard

to not just sing it but to get your emotion to the audience so they can

feel the song and figure out what it’s about,” Alex said.

The 12th annual Spotlight Awards program, a project of Fraternity of

Friends, was launched in 1988 as a recognition and scholarship

competition. The competition will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at the Dorothy

Chandler Pavilion, 717 W. Temple St., in Los Angeles.

Winners will receive $5,000, and runners-up receive $2,500.

Call (213) 202-2271 for ticket information.