HTH Media Arts wins Indie Fest award “Soaring Eagles,” a student-produced documentary about American Indian education, has received a prestigious Award of Merit from The Indie Fest. “Soaring Eagles” documents an important cultural and education program of San Diego Unified School District’s Indian Education Program through interviews with participants, testimonials and footage from traditional American Indian dance exhibitions. Co-executive producer Chris Rosskopf praised his students. “I’m extremely proud of the professionalism, maturity and work ethic the students exhibited in eliciting the story of the ‘Soaring Eagles’ organization through their thoughtful interview questions, effective cinematography and compelling editing.” The Indie Fest recognizes film professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly-qualified professionals in the film industry. For more information about the Indie Fest and a list of recent winners, visit www.theindiefest.com. PLNU to host Kurtz, Irawati in benefit concert San Diego Symphony principal bassist Jeremy Kurtz and pianist Ines Irawati will perform a benefit concert for Interfaith Shelter Network on Monday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. Entitled “High Notes,” the concert will take place at Point Loma Nazarene University’s Crill Performance Hall, and will feature classical and classically-inspired music. Kurtz and Irawati will be accompanied by Baja California Orchestra principal bassist Andrés Martin, percussionist Jon Szanto and San Diego Symphony associate principal second violinist Jeffrey Zehngut. All concert proceeds will go to support the Interfaith Shelter Network of San Diego as part of a year-long celebration of the organization’s 25th anniversary. Kurtz and Irawati will be performing several favorite classical works by composers such as Mendelssohn, Misek and Schubert. Also on the program is a Middle Eastern melody by Syrian bassist Francois Rabbath, a bassist/narrator piece by Jon Deak and the U.S. premiere of “Tango Across the Border,” a duo for two basses by Andrés Martin. The suggested donation for the “High Notes” concert is $25 per person ($10 for students). Crill Performance Hall is located at 3900 Lomaland Drive. Free parking is available and tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call (619) 702-5300, or visit www.interfaithshelter.org. Dana students readying production of ‘Annie Jr.’ Dana Middle School’s musical theatre class will present “Annie Jr.” from March 15 through 18 in the school’s Ann Tripp Jackson Theater. “Annie Jr.” is an edited version of the Broadway show “Annie,” which is based on Harold Gray’s “Little Orphan Annie.” The junior version includes all the hit songs from the original production and features 44 Dana students. Freja Willink plays the title role, with Denver Lutz as Daddy Warbucks, Cindy St. Clair as Grace Farrell, Jasmine Otto as Miss Hannigan, Alex Pickering as Rooster Hannigan, and Maya Nielsen as Lily St. Regis. Directed by award-winning director Bill Cobb, the class has presented such Broadway shows as “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Oklahoma!,” “Guys and Dolls,” “H.M.S. Pinafore” and “The Pirates of Penzance.” The shows on March 15, 16 and 17 are student matinees, beginning at 10:20 a.m. and are free to students from Point Loma schools.  The March 18 show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets for the March 18 performance are $7, and can be reserved by going to www.dana middle.com. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the show. Watch a master craftsman at work Opera is flourishing at Point Loma Nazarene University.  Over the last two years, students there have been winning accolades for their achievements in classical singing, including prizes at the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, La Jolla Symphony Competition and roles sung at the Lyric and at San Diego Opera.  Two years ago, students formed an opera club and have since produced three operas on their own.  In recognition of their achievements, Ian Campbell, director of San Diego Opera, will conduct a three-hour staging workshop on scenes from the first act finale of “The Marriage of Figaro.”  Campbell will meet with students on March 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Crill Hall to stage the scenes and give them guidance on how characterization can enhance their singing.  The session is open to the public and hors d’ouvres will be served in Crill Hall lobby, located at 3900 Lomaland Drive, starting at 3:30 p.m. A donation to Point Loma Opera Theatre is suggested.