Eleven Avon High School students recently participated in the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Northeast Regional Orchestra (NERO) at the E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall at the University of Akron.
The students include Emily Cox, Jacquie Gundic, Olivia Hays, Elena Ko, Cameron Lam, Ada Ortan, Giada Pulig, Cara Raymont, Ava Rosemark, Justin Schwab, and Grace Zhao.
OMEA divides the state into five regions. Avon is in the Northeast region. Each of the five regions holds their own auditioned Regional Orchestra annually in the fall. Of the students accepted to the Regional Orchestra based on their regional audition, the top scoring eight violins, three violas, three cellos, and two basses from each of the five regions advance to the Ohio All-State Orchestra, which performs at the OMEA Professional Development Conference in February in Columbus.
"It is quite a competitive field, especially in the Northeast where there are many schools with orchestra programs," said Jesse Martin, director of orchestras at Avon High School. "So to be accepted into All-State is quite an accomplishment."
Cameron Lam, Ada Ortan, Justin Schwab, and Elena Ko also advanced to play in the OMEA State Orchestra in Columbus in February.