Eight students from the Lakeland Central School District were selected for the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) 2025-2026 Zone 11 Area All-State Festival. All-State honors also went to Lakeland High School’s Isabella Friedman, who plays trombone and Sara Niese (alternate), who plays piccolo.
The eight students who will perform at the Area All-State Festival at SUNY Purchase on Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. are:
Lakeland High School
Walter Panas High School
Isabella, a junior, scored a perfect 100 on her NYSSMA Level VI solo audition last year. She will rehearse and perform with the All-State Wind Ensemble at the NYSSMA conference, in Rochester from December 4-7.
“All of our music educators are immensely proud of our young musicians in Lakeland,” said Rick Russo, coordinator of music (K-12). “Students were selected to perform at the Area All-State Festival due to their exceptional scores during their participation in the NYSSMA solo festival last spring. To be chosen to perform at the NYSSMA All-State Festival is a truly remarkable honor; these students are among the most highly rated musicians in all of New York State. I extend my sincere congratulations to all of these students and their families. Bravo!”
