Outstanding local middle-school student selected to perform at Carnegie Hall

Dr. Melissa Cooper and Brookelynn Shell

Marble HIll, Missouri — Brookelynn Shell, a sixth grade student at Woodland R-IV Middle School, has been selected for the 2016 Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. She will perform as an Alto I at Carnegie Hall in June 2016 with the Honors Junior Choir. Participation in one of the three Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest rated middle school performers from across North America and select schools internationally.

Brookelynn was nominated by her Director, Dr. Melissa A. Cooper and 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 her application and audition recording. Brookelynn will join other performers from 45 United States and Canada.

According to Nancy Richardson, Program Director, “Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Junior Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing. We process thousands of nominations annually, selecting only the most talented performers. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these student musicians never forget”.

Brookelynn has studied music for three years and is a member of the Woodland Elementary Honor Choir, directed by Dr. Melissa A. Cooper. She has participated in Honor Choir for three years, has had numerous solos, instrument parts, and this year received the Outstanding Choir Award. Brookelynn has also performed in every Elementary Talent Show since Kindergarten, making this year her 7th appearance. She also performs regularly at her church, and is also a member of the Woodland 6th grade band. In response to her selection as a Junior Finalist, Brookelynn said, “I can’t believe this! I have to read this again”, and cried tears of joy. Her parents, Darin and Kendra Shell, surprised her by taking her out to dinner and telling her the news she had been selected.

Junior Finalists will come together for five days in June 2016 in New York City to have the opportunity to learn from Sally Albrecht, work with other Junior Finalists, and get a taste of New York City. The Saturday, June 25, performance is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased beginning 60 days prior to the performance through the Carnegie Hall box office.

The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual high school and middle school performers on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in the celebrated venue, Carnegie Hall. The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented by WorldStrides, the nation’s leading educational travel organization. Learn more by visiting www.honorsperformance.org and www.worldstrides.com.