Sisters to represent Auburn High School and perform at prestigious NYS music event

Last year, Kaela Sova became the first Auburn High School musician in a decade to earn the prestigious honor of performing in the New York State School Music Association All-State Ensemble. 

So it’s not much of a surprise that as a senior, she is going back. It will be special because she will be joined by another Auburn High School musician – someone she knows well – her sister Kara, a junior. 

The NYSSMA All-State Ensembles perform at the organization’s annual winter conference, which will be held Dec. 4-7 at the Rochester Convention Center. However, the sisters won’t play together because they play different instruments in different ensembles.

Kaela will play the viola in the symphony orchestra, and Kara will play the violin in the string orchestra.

“Hopefully we'll see each other in the convention center,” Kaela said. “It'll be nice to have my sister with me. I think having my sister there will make it a lot more enjoyable.” 

“It's exciting, we've grown up our whole life, doing everything music together,” Kara said. “This is such a big achievement for both of us to do together.” 

Auburn High School orchestra teacher Victoria Kinney is “beyond proud” of how her students’ hard work and dedication paid off.

“Last year, we were talking about it being the first time in 10 years that somebody went,” she said. “Now, we have two going from Auburn. It's such an honor. Both girls are such hard workers; they play their instruments and practice a lot, and they are dedicated to music. Kara said, ‘You have to put the work in to be able to achieve that (goal),’ and they did. They always work very hard.” 

Kaela loved her experience in the all-state ensemble in 2024. She made new friends and enjoyed the extensive rehearsals.

“It was pretty fun, we had literal hours of going over the pieces we had to perform,” she said. “We had meal times in between, and we would have lunches at the conference center, where we'd be able to roam and see the venues. Most of the time was spent in the hotel. There were a lot of different kids there; the kids I mainly talked to were from New York City. They thought I was from New York City, which I thought was kind of funny. It was a great experience. I learned a lot from it. I was excited to perform with the group after so much hard work we put into the pieces."
 
Kaela’s looking even more forward to this year’s conference because a friend she met last year is part of her ensemble, as well as the overall experience of performing in a full orchestra. 

“It's going to be pretty amazing to perform with the full orchestra and have a friend there,” she said. “I already have someone that I can talk to. It will make this year a lot better. I'm excited to be in a full orchestra. I enjoy full orchestras a lot more because of the woodwinds, the brass, and the horns. They really bring a piece together, and you always get the chills.”
 

As you would imagine, Kara is excited about the opportunity to play as part of the ensemble at the conference for the first time.

“It means a lot, it's an amazing opportunity,” she said. “It's such an honor to be chosen. I'm excited to have a conductor I've never had before. It's always fun playing with someone who has different styles of conducting. I'm excited to play. I've been looking at the excerpts (of the piece she will be performing). I have a couple of musician friends that I'm acquainted with, but I'm excited to make new ones. I'm excited to grow my skills.”

Both sisters, who started playing musical instruments at a young age, are very versatile. Kara also plays trombone and sings, and in addition, Kaela plays violin, piano, flute, and guitar. Being able to play multiple instruments takes a lot of time and effort, which Kara believes helped them qualify for all-state.

“What's the word that it comes down to? Dedication,” Kara said. “The instruments and my teachers play a big part; they help me a lot, but if you want to get it done, then you have to put in the work to do it.” 

Kinney believes that by qualifying for all-state, the Sovas are inspiring other Auburn High School musicians. 

“It's awesome to see your students who've been with you for years, playing on one of the best stages in New York state, being the best of the best of the best,” she said. “It's the mentality now – we can do it. Kaela did it last year. She's doing it again this year (with Kara). We have talent, we have kids who have this drive. We have kids who want to be among the best students in New York state.” 

Christopher Sciria / AECSD public information specialist