Nine Pahrump Valley High School choir students recently achieved one of the highest honors available to high school vocalists in Nevada, earning selection to the Nevada Music Educators Association (NMEA) All-State Choir and representing their school and community on a statewide stage.
Under the direction of Pahrump Valley High School choir instructor Dr. Benjamin Gooch, the students underwent a demanding audition process that required both technical precision and musical artistry. Each student prepared scales and musical excerpts that were evaluated by professional adjudicators from across Nevada, competing against talented vocalists from throughout the state.
Selected to the 2026 NMEA All-State Choir from Pahrump Valley High School were Jacob Seeback, Christien Ramiscal, Emery Miller-Rocha, Zachary LeBlanc, Luigi DeAngelis, Kylee Siegmund, Addie Allen, Madison Arian, and Avah Resendiz.
“This is quite an accomplishment for our students,” Dr. Gooch said. “Being selected by audition and knowing that they’ve placed among Nevada’s top high school choral singers, is a great feeling. They can hold onto it for their entire life. I am very pleased with their success.”
The students traveled to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where they participated in an intensive two-day rehearsal experience before performing in concert on January 30 at UNLV’s Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall. The event brought together students from across the state, offering them an opportunity to collaborate with peers who share a passion for music while working under the direction of two renowned guest conductors selected by NMEA.
Participation in the All-State Choir is about far more than a single performance. Students spent long hours refining complex repertoire, learning advanced vocal techniques, and developing ensemble skills while working alongside professional-level conductors. The experience also exposes students to challenging and diverse musical literature, with selected repertoire and conductor biographies available through the official All-State program.
Several PVHS students returned to the All-State stage this year, demonstrating both consistency and continued growth in their musical development. Addie Allen earned her third All-State selection, while Kylee Siegmund, Jacob Seeback, and Christien Ramiscal each returned for their second appearance. For Emery Miller-Rocha, Zachary LeBlanc, Luigi DeAngelis, Madison Arian, and Avah Resendiz, the performance marked their first opportunity to participate in the prestigious program.
For many students, being selected for All-State Choir represents years of dedication to vocal performance and music education. Preparing for auditions requires a significant time commitment outside of regular classroom instruction, including individual practice, vocal coaching, and mastering challenging audition material.
The achievement reflects both the students’ personal dedication and the strength of the PVHS choir program. The All-State experience allows students to grow as performers while building confidence and lifelong musical skills.
The NMEA All-State Choir program remains one of Nevada’s most respected music education opportunities, bringing together the state’s most accomplished young vocalists while highlighting the importance of arts education in public schools. Through their selection and performance, the nine PVHS students not only represented their school with pride but also showcased the talent and commitment found within the Pahrump Valley community.
