By Kat Bryant

Grays Harbor News Group

Fifteen students from Aberdeen High School and Miller Junior High School sang Feb. 1 in a regional competition, and at least two are moving on to the state level.

The Chinook Region Solo & Ensemble Festival, presented by the Washington Music Educators Association, took place at Timberline High School in Lacey.

“The Chinook region competition is big — it includes 23 school districts, from the coast all the way out to Lacey,” said voice instructor Ian Dorsch. “So it’s a real thrill to see our singers stand out from the crowd like this.”

AHS junior Emma Dorsch, a Grays Harbor College Running Start student, won the soprano division with a performance of “Solveijg’s Lied” by Edvard Grieg. Emma and AHS senior Allison Patterson won the women’s small ensemble division with a performance of “The Flower Duet” from “Lakmé,” by Léo Delibes. Both will advance to compete at the State Solo & Ensemble competition at Central Washington University in April.

Allison and AHS senior Jax Eaton also earned “superior” ratings and were named as first alternates for the state competition in the soprano and tenor divisions, respectively.

“Jax has only been taking voice lessons for a little over a year, and this was his first competition,” said Dorsch. “So taking home a ‘first alternate’ is pretty cool.”

Allison studies voice with Dorsch’s wife, Joy, and Emma studies with both of her parents.

“Both Emma and Allison have beautifully developed voices for their ages,” said Joy Dorsch. “They work hard in lessons and absolutely deserve to represent our area at the state level.”