South Bay Rocks: Celebrating the Next Generation of Local Talent
The South Bay came alive this summer with the sounds of rising young musicians at South Bay Rocks, a youth music competition celebrating creativity, community, and local talent. Presented by Local Anchor in collaboration with South Bay Music Connection, South Bay Credit Union, and The Point in El Segundo, the event brought together performers from across the region who wowed audiences with original songs, powerful vocals, and impressive stage presence.
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South Bay Rocks 2025
The live finale took place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at The Point in El Segundo, as part of Local Anchor’s South Bay Family Fun Day series. The event marked the exciting conclusion to a four-part community celebration highlighting local connection through music, activities, shopping, and small business support. The competition featured fifteen talented youth finalists who performed live before a panel of industry judges for a chance to win a professional recording session at Republic Records Studios and a cover feature in Discover South Bay – A Local Anchor Magazine.
After an unforgettable afternoon of performances, one artist took home the top honor, Sophia Elena, which included a recording session at Republic Records and a featured performance opportunity at an upcoming community event. Four remarkable runners up also earned well-deserved recognition for their talent and passion.
Spotlight on the Winner: Sophia Elena
Performing a moving rendition of “You Learn” by Alanis Morissette, Sophia Elena captivated the crowd and judges alike, earning the title of South Bay Rocks Winner.
An 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Manhattan Beach, Sophia has been performing live shows for several years and continues to grow as an artist. Now a freshman at Loyola Marymount University in Playa Vista, she balances her love of music with an unexpected academic twist as a mathematics major, something she says often surprises people.
Sophia’s earliest musical inspiration came from Adele, whose soulful voice and powerful lyrics sparked her passion for singing and songwriting. “When I was younger, I loved how much power and soul she put into her music,” Sophia shared. “It really resonated with me, and I realized I wanted to create that same feeling with my own music.”
She began performing with South Bay Music Connection at just 14, though her love of music started much earlier. Her favorite part of performing at South Bay Rocks was seeing the younger performers shine. “I was definitely one of the oldest performers there, so I loved seeing all the amazing young talent. I can’t wait to see what everyone does with their music as they get older.”
Looking ahead, Sophia hopes to make music her full-time career, sharing her songs with a wider audience and continuing to perform live. When she’s not on stage, you can find her at the beach with friends, especially for sunset swims.
Fans can stream her songs on Spotify, Apple Music, and more. She also keeps followers updated on upcoming shows and new releases on Instagram @sophia.elena, where she’s teasing an upcoming album and new collaborations.
Runners Up: Rising Stars to Watch
The South Bay Rocks stage was filled with incredible young performers who brought heart, talent, and pure joy to the stage. The runners up each left their own unforgettable mark on the competition.
Charlee Marie, El Segundo
Performing “River” by Bishop Briggs, 11-year-old Charlee Marie from El Segundo lit up the stage with confidence beyond her years. Inspired by her older brother’s performance in James and the Giant Peach when she was little, Charlee caught the performing bug early, landing her first musical at age four and singing the National Anthem solo at just five. Now the lead singer of a rock band, she continues to perform around town, including at the Main Street Fair in El Segundo. Her favorite part of South Bay Rocks was getting to meet other young artists and learning from them. When she’s not performing, Charlee loves spending time at the beach.
Vanessa Barnhart, San Pedro
At just 15 years old, Vanessa Barnhart impressed the crowd with her original song “Eclipse.” A passionate songwriter from San Pedro, Vanessa has been writing her own music for two years and loves using her lyrics to share her feelings and connect with others. Her authenticity and creativity made her one of the standout young artists of the day.
Nico Gonzalez, Torrance
Twelve-year-old Nico Gonzalez from Torrance performed a heartfelt version of “The Only Exception” by Paramore, the very first song that inspired him to start singing. A seventh grader at Magruder Middle School, Nico’s love for music began after watching Maroon 5 videos as a kid. His favorite moment of South Bay Rocks was sharing that same song live with the audience and seeing their reactions. When he’s not playing music, Nico loves hunting for vinyl records in local South Bay shops.
The Never Evers, Palos Verdes
This all-girl trio from Palos Verdes, Chloe Chau, Maggie Pih, and Everly Wang, rocked the stage with their cover of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” Friends since fourth grade, the band brings infectious energy and teamwork to every performance.
Chloe Chau, 12, leads vocals and plays bass, inspired by her parents, both musicians. She started performing at age four and loves bike rides, the beach, and cooking.
Maggie Pih, also 12, keeps the beat as drummer and backup vocalist. Her earliest memory of performing was singing “All You Need Is Love” at her kindergarten graduation, and she still loves ice skating at local rinks.
Everly Wang, 12, plays guitar and brings a love of musical theater and orchestral performance. Inspired by her family and artists like Laufey, she hopes to learn the Vietnamese zither, dan tranh, next.
Together, The Never Evers embody the joy of friendship, creativity, and girl power in the South Bay music scene.
Celebrating the Beat of the South Bay
South Bay Rocks is more than a competition, it’s a celebration of young artists who are finding their voice and building confidence through music. From the soulful sound of Sophia Elena to the infectious energy of the runners up, this year’s performers reminded everyone that the South Bay’s future is full of rhythm, talent, and heart.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible, including the families, judges, and sponsors who continue to support local youth in the arts. Events like South Bay Rocks showcase the incredible talent growing right here in our community and the power of coming together to celebrate it.
This year’s talented performers included The Never Evers, Walter Schmidt, Nico Gonzalez, Kaia DeGrazio, Harper Richards, Joseph Gonzalez, Bebe Miyuki, Faith Graham, Vanessa Barnhart, Lucas Neishen Tabios, Harlee Furutani, Ruby and the Thorns, Sophia Elena, Sofie Gamboa, and Charlee Marie.
A special thank you goes to South Bay Music Connection for their incredible stage production, equipment, and technical support. They supplied and managed every element of the stage, making it possible for each young performer to shine. We truly could not have done this event without their expertise and generosity.
South Bay Music Connection is a local youth music program dedicated to helping students build confidence and connection through performance. South Bay Credit Union, a community-focused financial institution, proudly supports local events and youth programs throughout the South Bay. The Point in El Segundo continues to serve as one of the South Bay’s premier destinations for shopping, dining, and community gatherings, providing the perfect backdrop for this unforgettable day of music and connection.
Click here to check out our latest edition of Discover South Bay, Local Anchor’s printed holiday magazine!
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