Isabella Fredrickson-Valdivia
FROM FLA TO CARNEGIE HALL
Isabella Frederickson-Valdivia, a student from the class of 2024 at Forest Lake Academy, had the extraordinary opportunity to perform on the iconic stage of Carnegie Hall in New York City. Isabella was a part of the Honors Performance Series, a program that offers students in Band, Orchestra, and Voice the chance to perform in renowned venues across the globe.
Mrs. Helen Woldemichael, FLA’s choral teacher, first brought the idea to Isabella as a way to expand her repertoire of work outside of Forest Lake Academy. After receiving a teacher recommendation from Mrs. Woldemichael, Isabella was invited to apply to the program in June of 2022. She wasted no time in preparing for her audition recording, which was required to be in a foreign language. She worked closely with her voice instructor, Esther Henson, to practice the piece “Caro Mio Bien” by Tommaso Giordano. She submitted her audition by the end of June and eagerly awaited the results.
In October, Isabella received an email notifying her that she had been accepted as a finalist and would be performing in the Honors Choir. She was overjoyed, as many applicants were waitlisted or placed in other choirs. She received the dates of her performance and her assigned part in December, just before Christmas. With only a little over a month to prepare, Isabella had to learn seven new songs, including one in Hebrew and another written by the conductor himself.
On January 31, 2023, Isabella and her mother flew to New York City, where they enjoyed a Broadway show before rehearsals began on February 1. Isabella’s mother bid her farewell as she embarked on several intense days of closed-door rehearsals.
The days of hard work and rehearsals paid off as Isabella took the stage at Carnegie Hall on February 4. “This experience was just a dream come true. Having the opportunity to be in an environment where so many kids loved the same thing as me and were just as passionate about that subject was very refreshing and fun to experience,” says Isabella, “I’m so happy to be at a school that provides opportunities for their students. FLA has so many great teachers like Mrs. Helen, and I’m very grateful for everything she and this school have done for me.”
