Cynthia Chen, a student at Hillcrest High School, has been selected for the 2011 American High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. She will be a part of the Honors Band as a flutist. Participation in the Honors Orchestra, Honors Band, and Honors Choir is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across North America.
Chen auditioned this fall for the Honors Performance Series and was accepted after a review by the Selection Board committee. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in her application and audition recording. Chen will join other performers from the United States and Canada for a special performance at world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement.
Chen studies music with Susan Goodfellow and is a member of Utah Youth Symphony and Utah All-State Band. Currently, she studies in the Hillcrest International Baccalaureate program with a GPA of 4.0.. She is the president and principal flutist of Hillcrest High School Band and has played for BYU SummerFest Symphony Orchestra as the principal flutist in 2010. Prior to moving to Utah, she was the principal flutist of St. Louis All-Suburban Band in 2007. Additionally, Chen is the captain of the Hillcrest swim team and a Utah All-State Finalist of 100-yard backstroke in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
This February, finalists will meet in New York for five days to learn from several conductors and get a taste of New York City. A Feb. 19 performance is open to the public and specially invited representatives from collegiate music programs.
The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual high school performers by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in the celebrated venue, Carnegie Hall.