Six Leyden students selected for All-State Showchoir

Six Leyden student musicians, five choir and one band, were selected to participate in the 2023 Illinois American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) All-State Showchoir. Singers Athiana Moran, Sonya Morales, Nathan Pera, Claudine Ricana, and Sabrina Wasilewsi qualified by placing in the state’s top 50, and saxophonist Emilie Gutierrez was nominated to join the band that will accompany the Showchoir.

“This is an amazing accomplishment for these students, because Leyden doesn’t have a competitive showchoir,” said Choir Director Stacy Cunningham. “It’s a real testament to their musical talent and we are so proud to have such a large representation at the state level.”

The competitive process included learning music prior to their arrival, rehearsing together and individually, memorizing the music in preparation for 20 hours of rehearsals at another local high school. There, they refined the music, learned the choreography and got to work with two local legendary showchoir teachers, vocal clinician Mark Myers and choreographer Nancy Bocek. In addition, Athiana Moran was chosen to sing a solo.

Picture attached, caption Left to Right: 

• Athiana Moran, East Leyden Senior

• Sonya Morales, East Leyden Sophomore

• Nathan Pera, West Leyden Sophomore

• Sabrina Wasilewski, East Leyden Senior

• Claudine Ricana, East Leyden Junior

• Emilie Gutierrez, East Leyden Freshman