Rocky Point High School junior Maya Alexander was selected to participate in the 2023 New York State School Music Association’s All-State Mixed Chorus. Additionally, Rocky Point seniors Elyse Nadeau and Renee Ortiz were selected as alternates for this prestigious performing ensemble. Maya was selected for the Soprano 2 section, and Elyse and Rene are both alternates for the Alto 1 section. Maya is a soprano in the Rocky Point High School Chorus, and she will perform with the NYSSMA All-State Mixed Chorus under the direction of renowned choral director Dr. Gary Packwood. This four-day festival will take place during the New York State School Music Association Winter Conference from Nov. 30 through Dec. 4 in Rochester, New York. After three days of intense rehearsals with high school juniors and seniors from throughout New York, this festival will culminate with a performance at the historic Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre in Rochester. Thousands of students auditioned for this honor last spring at the NYSSMA All-State Solo Evaluation Festivals throughout the state.
“I am so incredibly proud of Maya, Elyse and Renee,” high school chorus teacher Ms. Jessica Spitz said. “All three of them have worked very hard to prepare their NYSSMA solos, not only last spring, but also in years past. Additionally, they are outstanding leaders in chorus and their other performing groups. They are such a joy to work with every day. This is such a well-deserved honor for them!” Ms. Spitz will also be traveling to the NYSSMA Winter Conference to attend the various professional development workshops offered, and to observe the rehearsals and attend the All-State Mixed Choir concert.
A congratulatory message from Rocky Point Music Department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher read, “We applaud Maya, Elyse and Renee on their accomplishments. Being named to a NYSSMA All-State ensemble and being selected as an alternate is an achievement bestowed upon only a small percentage of music students throughout the state. Maya is now a part of an elite group of high school student musicians from New York. We are certain that she will represent the Rocky Point Music Department with the utmost level of pride and dedication. She is an intelligent, kind, mature, responsible and talented student, and we are sure she will have a positive experience at the NYSSMA All-State Festival. We are also very proud of our high school chorus director, Ms. Jessica Spitz. It takes a lot of hard work to prepare students for festivals of this magnitude, and we are thankful for Ms. Spitz’s continued dedication toward her students and the Rocky Point Music Department.”
Date Added: 9/8/2023