Outstanding Esperanza musician, Noam Elisha, selected to perform at Carnegie Hall

Noam Elisha, a sophomore at Esperanza High School, has been selected for the 2016 High School Honors Performance Series. He will play violin with the Honors Symphony Orchestra for a special performance in February at the world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement. This is Carnegie Hall’s 125th anniversary season.

Noam auditioned for the Honors Performance Series, and was accepted after a review by the Selection Board. Acceptance to this elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication and achievements demonstrated in Noam’s application and audition recording. He will join performers from 49 states, Guam, four Canadian provinces and a number of foreign countries.

According to Program Director Morgan Smith, “Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each finalist should be extremely proud of. We processed more than 18,000 nominations this year, and have selected nearly 750 of the most talented student performers from around the world. Performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians will never forget.”

Noam has studied music for 10 years, and plays the violin and saxophone. He is a member of the Esperanza Sinfonia Orchestra and the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra on violin, as well as Esperanza’s Jazz Band II, Symphonic Band and Marching Band on saxophone. In the past, Noam participated in the Irvine Unified School District Middle School Honor Orchestra, as well as the All-Southern California Middle School Honor Orchestra.

In response to his selection as a finalist, Noam said, “I am grateful to Mr. Gary Hung, my school’s orchestra director, for nominating me. I am very proud to have been accepted, and to be able to represent my school and my teachers on such an honorable stage.”

Finalists will come to New York City for five days this month. They will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other finalists and get a taste of Manhattan. Two performances, a choral performance and a instrumental performance, will take place on Sunday, Feb. 7, and are open to the public.

For more information on the Honors Performance Series, visit www.honorsperformance.org.