Pine Bush senior Kiera Masci was recently awarded the Orange County Music Educators Association vocal scholarship. Kiera was selected by a panel of judges after performing two level six NYSSMA pieces. The scholarship is meant for students looking to pursue vocal performance in college.

“The judges were super nice and seemed super interested in all of the competitors. I was nervous, but it felt so incredible when I got the email a few days later that I had won,” said Kiera.

Kiera chose to audition with two classical songs, one being in French and the other Italian, “I used to be really into show tunes and musical theater styles of singing, but after my NYSSMA performance one or two years ago, I realized how much I love singing classical pieces.”

Kiera has been dedicated to music since she was in elementary school, and credits her family for the start of this passion.

“My grandparents introduced me to music at a very young age. My grandpa would play opera songs and I would sing along,” said Kiera, “They would always take me to see operas and Broadway shows, I think that’s why I grew up to love it so much.”

Kiera has plans to study vocal performance in college and is preparing for her upcoming auditions. She is also preparing for her NYSSMA flute performance and her performance as Maureen in her school’s production of ‘Rent’, both in March. In April, she will compete at the All-Eastern Division Conference.