Alexis Hinz Morrow, a 16-year old resident of Shepherdstown and rising classical/operatic vocalist, musician and composer was selected to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City and Sydney Opera House in New South Wales, Australia.

In September of 2016, Alexis auditioned for the 2017 Honors Performance Series Choral Ensemble and was accepted to participate in both performance venues after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite groups is a direct result of the talent, dedication and achievements demonstrated by Alexis’ application and her audition recording (Amarilli mia bella by Giulio Caccini).

Finalists came together in New York City for five days the first week of February 2017. Three choral ensembles, including the Honors Concert Choir, Young Adults Choir and Women’s Choir, performed at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, Feb. 5. Edith Copley, the conductor of the Concert Choir, engaged with vocalists in rigorous rehearsals to interpret and bring to life six pieces of music the finalists had been studying for months beforehand. This performance was described as one of the strongest and most heart-rendering of the Concert Choir groups to ever perform at Carnegie Hall.

Honors Choir finalists will come together in New South Wales, Australia from July 7 to 12, 2017. Dr. Jeffery L. Ames will be the conductor and has already identified the program repertoire. Finalists will receive their sheet music by the beginning of May so they may study and become fluent with their parts before meeting in Sydney.

Alexis performed as an alto with the Honors Concert Choir in New York and will perform as a soprano with the Honors Concert Choir in New South Wales, Australia.

The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase highly accomplished individual high school performers on an international level. Finalists have the opportunity to work under the baton of world-renowned master conductors, perform in celebrated venues, work with and enjoy camaraderie of other Finalists and explore amazing cities. Performers from 49 United States, Australia, two provinces of

Canada, Chile, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Qatar and South Korea take the stage at world-renowned Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House, venues that mark the pinnacle of musical achievement.

According to Morgan Smith, Program Director, “Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing. We processed more than 18,000 nominations this year and have selected nearly 750 of the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera

House are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that these musicians will never forget.”

Alexis attended Powhatan School in Boyce, Virginia from Kindergarten through 8th grade graduation in 2015. She participated in the Blue Ridge Choristers under Choral Director Patty Austin at the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy in Winchester, Virginia for four years and was selected to participate in the All-Virginia Elementary Chorus for special performances in 2011 and 2012. Alexis is

currently an online high school student through the Stanford University Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY) and Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY). The flexibility of the online high school schedule has allowed Alexis to study classical voice at the International School of Music in Bethesda, Maryland under the tutelage of soprano Katie Baughman (now the Chorus Manager

with The Choral Arts Society of Washington); she is privileged to currently study with Madeleine Gray, mezzo soprano and Voice Department Chair at Peabody Preparatory in Baltimore, Maryland.

In response to her selection as a finalist for both performance venues, Alexis said, “These are indeed life-changing opportunities that will undoubtedly influence and shape my career in the future! Performing on the world’s most renowned stages in the footsteps of theworld’s most elite performers is nothing short of a tremendous honor! Not only are these choral experiences totally amazing, but it is

incredibly exciting to connect with other rising young musicians from around the world who share a passion for magical voices and music!”

Alexis is actively seeking sponsors and raising funds to support the costs associated with her participation. Should she be fortunate enough to raise more funds than needed for the 2017 Honors Performance Series, the balance will be applied to her continued studies in music. Alexis has partnered with Dutch Mill Bulbs on one of the fundraising efforts; to enhance gardens with beautiful annuals and

perennials, treat mom to the special gift of flowers on Mother’s Day, or extend flowers to other friends and connections/groups while mutually supporting Alexis’ advancing musical experiences and career, simply copy and paste the following link to place orders online: groups.dutchmillbulbs.com/shop/ affiliates=honorsperformanceseriesalexishinzmorrowsydney2017. For further information, contact JeannetteHinzMorrow.edu@aol.com.

The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented by WorldStrides, the nation’s leading educational travel organization. Learn more by visiting www.honorsperformance.org and worldstrides.com.