DownBeat magazine named King’s High School senior Laura Rosok the winner of the Vocal Jazz Soloist category in its 38th annual Student Music Awards. Rosok previously won the high school division Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist competition in 2014, and plans to attend the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami this fall.
The DownBeat Student Music Awards, founded in 1976, are considered among the most prestigious awards in jazz education. As part of the competition, college, high school, and middle school students record their music and submit it for judging by professional musicians and educators from across the country. Judging criteria is based on musicianship, creativity, improvisation, and technique, among other qualities. Awards are given in 15 categories in five different divisions.