Columbia Star

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A.C. Flora student to perform at Carnegie Hall





John Cooper

John Cooper

John Cooper, a student at A.C. Flora High School, has been selected for the 2014 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. He will perform at Carnegie Hall in February 2014 with the Honors Choir singing Tenor II. Participation in one of the three Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest rated high school performers from across North America and select schools internationally.

Cooper auditioned this fall for the Honors Performance Series and was accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in his application and audition recording. He will join other performers from the United States, Canada, and select international schools for a special performance at world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks 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 process thousands of nominations annually, selecting only the most talented performers applying on an international level. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a oncein a-lifetime experience these student musicians never forget.”

John Cooper studies music with Dr. Rhoda Paschal at A.C. Flora. In 2012, he was named Richland Library’s Teen Idol and, in 2013 Richland One’s Best Singer in the District. As part of the Best Singer competition, he moved on to be a state finalist and a contestant in the regional competition earlier this year. Additionally, he is active in local theatre, most recently performing in the ensemble of Ragtime: The Musical at Trustus Theatre and as Laurie in Little Women: the Musical at A.C. Flora. John is currently rehearsing the Aaron Copland children’s opera, The Second Hurricane, singing the role of Butch. The opera is set to be performed on Saturday, March 22 at the Columbia Music Festival Association.

Cooper says “I am extremely excited and incredibly grateful for this opportunity. I count being able to work, learn, and perform in any capacity, especially this one, as a major blessing.”

In addition to performing, John serves as sophomore class president, an FCA vice president, and excels as an AP and honors student.

Finalists will come together for five days in February 2014 in New York City to have the opportunity to learn from Dr. Lynne Gackle, work with other finalists, and get a taste of New York City. The Sunday, February 9 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 on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in the celebrated venue, Carnegie Hall. Learn more by visiting www.honorsperformance.org.


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