June 9, 2026
Keystone Oaks musicians perform in seven music festivals

Since mid-March, 20 Keystone Oaks Middle School and Keystone Oaks High School students have participated in six different Pennsylvania Music Educators Association festivals.
- Senior bass player Kate Moore performed as one of two bassists in the All-State Concert Band, which was under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Gershman, Director of Bands and a Professor of Music at The College of Wooster.
- Senior bassoon player Lucy Brooke and junior French horn player Andreh De La Torre-Alvarado performed in the All-State Orchestra, which was under the direction of Dr. Paul Shewan, Professor of Instrumental Studies, Trumpet, and Conducting at Roberts Wesleyan University. Following a successful audition, Lucy earned the role of principal bassoonist and played solos in multiple pieces during the concert.
- Phoebe Auses (violin), Oliver Davis (viola), Kallie Dibert (trumpet), Erin Ellenberger (oboe), Roslyn Gruber (violin), Mako Morgan (trumpet), and Genevieve Reinard (trombone) participated in the PMEA Junior High Orchestra Festival held at Hampton Middle School. The orchestra was under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Tedford, Professor of Music and Director of Orchestras at Grove City College.
- Zach Dalrymple (trumpet), Andreh De La Torre-Alvarado (French horn), Valeria Hernandez Perez (trombone), Cailyn Lockhart (trombone), and Kate Moore (bass) performed with the PMEA Region 1 Band Festival held at Upper Saint Clair High School. The band was under the direction of Dr. Shelby Chipman, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Florida A&M University.
- Max Blair (baritone saxophone), Erin Ellenberger (oboe), Mako Morgan (trumpet), Meadow Pluebell (clarinet), and Genevieve Reinard (trombone) participated in the PMEA District 1 West Junior High Band Festival held at Trinity High School. The band was under the direction of Dr. Jason Worzbyt, Professor of Bassoon and Associate Director of Bands at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
- Sixth graders Mirabelle Byrne and Penelope Moorhouse, along with fifth graders Josephine Lockwood and Darya Hasanov, performed as part of the PMEA District 1 Elementary Strings Festival held at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School. The concert under the direction of guest conductor Brian Buterbaugh, the Music Director/Conductor of the York Youth Symphony Orchestra.
- Sixth-grade alto saxophone player Chloe Bryant performed with the PMEA District 1 Elementary Band Festival held at South Fayette High School. The band was under the direction of Eric Brewer, Director of the music program at Waynesburg University.
