Yorktown High School Senior Chosen to Play in New York All-State Orchestra

Yorktown High School senior and violist Ashley Baisch will perform as a member of the New York All-State Orchestra today.

"She is one of only 24 viola players in all of New York to be chosen for such an honor," YHS Music teacher and orchestra director Nancy Torrente said. "She is truly in the top 1 percent of such students. She is a great leader as president of the YHS orchestra."

This is the second year the young musician headed to Rochester to perform in this orchestra. Ashley had three days to rehearse with her peers before the performance. She has been playing viola for seven years.

"I started in fourth grade, and began private lessons in sixth," she said. "Mrs. Torrente has inspired me to become a music teacher."

This past summer, Ashley received a Milton A. Williams scholarship, named in honor of Westchester resident and actress Vanessa Williams' father. She used the funding to take piano lessons to better prepare herself for college.

"I just love music," the young musician said. 

In addition to be one of the best in the state, Ashley has been chosen as one of the best 20 in the East, Torrente said. The musician was invited to participate in MENC (the national organization for music educators) All Eastern Festival Orchestra, which will he held March 31-April 3 in Baltimore, MD. There she will rehearse and perform in the orchestra along with students from 12 East coast states. The  culminating concert is on April 3, at Morgan State University.

"The MENC All-Eastern Festival is a biennial event, and is a true honor," Torrente said. "It's is truly spectacular, it couldn't happen to a more special student. I am thrilled for her and so proud of all involved."