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Orange County high school Artist of the Year winners announced

May 14, 2026

It’s not how far they get.

It’s the chance to be among talented peers that seems to matter most to the high school students being considered for the annual Artist of the Year honors that recognize teens from around Orange County.

Now in its 13th year, the awards program shines a spotlight on young people who stand out in dance, film and TV, fine arts, media arts, instrumental music, vocal music and theater.

And it’s not just their talent but their vision and their heart — how they understand and can articulate who they are as artists and the impact they have.

The seven students who emerged as Artist of the Year in each discipline were announced at an awards ceremony held Wednesday, May 13, in the Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.

The celebration also offered the honorees an opportunity to perform or present their work.

From start to finish, the Artist of the Year program provides a peek at the future of the arts, locally and beyond.

“I’m really excited about these new artists,” said dance judge Ariyan Johnson, an assistant professor at UC Irvine who specializes in teaching hip-hop and jazz dance. “This is why we do what we do.”

Artist of the Year is co-sponsored by The Orange County Register, Segerstrom Center for the Arts and Chapman University School of Performing Arts. Additional support is provided by Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale, and Arts Orange County.

Students, parents, educators, and the arts professionals who volunteer their time all consider Artist of the Year a significant recognition for those who participate, no matter their level of experience or the outcome.

Consider this note of gratitude from one of the 888 students nominated by 88 teachers for a monthslong process that included submitting written statements about themselves as artists and individuals and, if named a semifinalist, demonstrating their artistry before panels of judges drawn from the local arts scene.

“I am incredibly grateful for this experience and for the chance to reflect more deeply on who I am, not only as an artist, but as a person,” wrote Madeleine Orozco, a triple threat — singer, actor, dancer — theater semifinalist from Santa Margarita Catholic High.

In a heartfelt message sent to Heide Janssen, Artist of the Year executive producer, Orozco concluded: “Thank you for your time, support, and creating a space where young artists like me can share their artistry and use their art form to impact and change people’s lives. I am truly honored to have had this experience and the opportunity to participate in such a meaningful program.”

Each Artist of the Year is awarded $500, while 21 finalists receive $100 apiece.

What stood out more to Janssen than in past years was how the 2026 crop of contenders consistently challenged conventional ideas and roles.

Just a few examples: The tapper who incorporated flamenco dance in her routine. The technician who built the mechanics needed to create his lighting designs. The harpist who has brought together other devotees of the typically overlooked orchestral instrument to perform in harp ensembles.

“We have a group of people who are really forging their identities through their artwork,” Janssen said.

Whether or not they end up with full-time careers as performers or working artists, former Artist of the Year nominees appreciate the boost it gave them.

“This is an experience that tells you who you are and what impact you want to have on the world,” said MJ Salanga, a 2021 instrumental music semifinalist who returned this year as a judge.

Salanga, a guitarist and vocalist, works as a copywriter at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and continues to create music. A rearranged song Salanga showcased as a semifinalist, “Mare,” is now her most-streamed tune on Apple Music and Spotify.

Year after year, the talent and dedication of the young creatives never fail to impress the adults who are tasked with choosing who will be Artist of the Year.

Sarah Koo, busy as a lecturer at UC Irvine in cello and chamber music as well as raising young children, comes back year after year to assess the instrumental artists.

Artist of the Year is different, she said, from other competitions that can be cutthroat. The students pick up on that vibe.

“They care, but in a healthy way,” Koo said.

In another thank-you note, classical pianist and instrumental music finalist Celine Zhu expressed how much fun she had at a recent Artist of the Year photo shoot for The Register and throughout the entire process.

“I had a wonderful time! I was just telling my mother how special OC Artist of the Year is, and I’ve enjoyed every moment,” said Zhu, who graduates this year. “It is genuinely the best competition to end my high school piano journey!”

Those interested in supporting Artist of the Year may at bit.ly/4ekUNMv through Arts Orange County. For sponsorship opportunities, contact ocartistoftheyear@aoy.scng.com.

Meet the 2026 Artists of the Year

Dance: Rio Gomez

Theater: Gavin Shams

Film and TV: Christopher Blocher

Instrumental music: Naomi Gesk

Vocal music: Lexie Shehab

Fine arts: Lucius Acker

Media arts: Angela Nguyen

Orange County Register

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Orange County high school Artist of the Year winners announced

Meet the 2026 Artists of the Year

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