Aquinas Academy musician makes all-state ensemble

Helayna Baer, a student at Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh in Hampton, reached the highest level a high school musician can achieve by earning a place in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Festival ensemble.

Each year, thousands of high school musicians across the state audition in their respective geographic areas. Individually, students perform for a panel of judges.

Student musicians who rank the highest advance to compete against students from other PMEA regions. The highest-ranking musicians at the PMEA regional level qualify to perform in one of six Pennsylvania All-State music ensembles.

“We commend the student musicians that are part of the 2022 PMEA All-State Festival,” Phil Stattel, PMEA president and retired music educator, said. “We know the past two years have been

challenging for all students, and for these students to work through the challenges to perform at the

highest level is to be celebrated.”

Helayna’s selection to play cello in the PMEA All-State Orchestra is the result of many years of study, practice and an audition process that encompasses many months of preparation. She is a senior at Aquinas Academy, where she participates in the school’s Studio Ensemble, under the direction of Sherry Traugh.

Traugh complimented her “not only for her marvelous cello playing, but for her enthusiasm to share her love of music with her peers and to seek out musical activities in our community.”

Helayna performs regularly with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, Coloratura Quartet with YC2 (Youth Chamber Connection) and Mount Saint Peter’s Catholic Church Music Ministry. She also is in demand as an independent musician on request.

The daughter of Richard and Denise Baer of Cheswick, Helayna studies privately with Nicole Myers, Pittsburgh Cello Studio, and is a member of Cello Fury.

Helayna will perform April 8-9 at the annual PMEA All-State Festival at the Kalahari Resort in the Poconos. Nationally recognized conductors at the convention direct the groups, which rehearse for two days and conclude with a performance.

For more information, visit www.pmea.net/pmeaall-stateinformation.