Southern Door Student Performs at Carnegie Hall

Southern Door High School sophomore Dalena Pakalske recently performed with the 2020 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall Mixed Choir on February 2nd. Participation in these Honors Ensembles are limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across the world. Students auditioned for the Honors Performance Series during the Summer of 2019, and were accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in their applications and audition recordings.

All of the students are also well-known on their High School Auditorium stages, in their school’s musical productions. Their passion for music is evident in their activities in school, both during and after the school day. Student performers from 47 U.S. states, Guam, several provinces of Canada, Bermuda, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Qatar, and South Korea participated in a special performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement.

The finalists came together in New York City for five days in January/February, where they had the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other finalists, and get a taste of the city. “Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing,” said Matt Castrina, Vice President for the Honors Performance Series. “We processed more than 18,000 nominations this year and have selected over 600 of the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians never forget.”

The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual high school performers on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in the celebrated venue, Carnegie Hall. The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented by WorldStrides, the nation’s leading educational travel organization.