Vincent Le ’17 was named a semifinalist for the Los Angeles County Spotlight Awards in the jazz instrumental category for his alto saxophone audition.

Roughly 1,100 high school students auditioned this year in various categories.

Le is one of 111 Southern California high school students to be selected for the semifinal round of judging, 15 of which were selected for the jazz instrumental category.

Le’s audition was judged by a panel of jazz artists. As a semifinalist, he was then invited to various master classes with acclaimed jazz performers.

One teacher of the master classes was Bob Sheppard, a famous jazz saxaphonist, clarinet player and flute player.

Other master class instructors include jazz saxophonist Arturo Sandoval and Metropolitan Opera star Cynthia Munzer.

“The judges’ critique was very helpful, and I learned a lot during my master class,” Le said.

The finals will take place March 19 and will include a live audition with musical accompaniment in front of a panel of professional jazz musicians.

Out of the initial 15 people chosen as semifinalists in the jazz instrumental category, two performers will be selected to perform at the Spotlight Grand Finale performance.

The performance will take place at Walt Disney Concert Hall in the early summer.

“I’m really honored to have been chosen as a semifinalist,” Le said. “I’d like to thank Mr. Costantino for all of his advice. I also couldn’t have done this without my friends who accompanied me on my audition.”

Semifinalists win a cash prize of $300 each, and Le will have the chance to earn up to another $5,000 if he is named a finalist after the competition’s final round this summer.