As the NYSMMA All-State Festival took place in Rochester this December, a North High music teacher reflected on the experience from his hotel room.
“You can immediately tell the sophistication and level of refinement demonstrated by our participating students,” instrumental teacher Mr. Fushetto said. “What makes this group stand out to me is their dedication to being musicians.”
That dedication has propelled six North High musicians to the highest level of musical achievement available to high school students in New York, NYSSMA All-State. The 2025 selections include Alexander Baluyut (trombone, Symphony Orchestra), Lana Goldsmith (soprano I, Treble Chorus and jazz soprano, Vocal Jazz Ensemble), Lindsay Stoller (soprano II, Treble Chorus), Nina Bikhman (alto I, Mixed Chorus), Taj Malhotra (bass I, Mixed Chorus), and Ye-On Lee (clarinet, Symphonic Band).
Additionally, five students were named All-State alternates: Harrison Albin (bass I), Abigail Bernstein (jazz trombone), Regina Cho (violin), Ethan Lam (violin), and Tomi Shamash (French Horn).
The All-State Process
NYSSMA All-State represents the highest level of musical achievement for New York high school students. To be considered, students perform a level VI solo in front of a certified state adjudicator. These solos, often drawn from college-level repertoire, demand technical mastery, musical expression, and focus.
Beyond the solo itself, students must also complete a demanding sight-reading exam, which tests real-time musical accuracy under pressure. Teachers describe All-State auditions not as a single event, but as a year-long buildup of careful preparation, practice, and steady improvement.
More than 7,000 students audition statewide each year, and only 900 are selected–a 12% acceptance rate.
“For comparison, Carnegie Mellon University has the same acceptance rate, and only about 40 universities nationwide are as or more selective. Some students even score a perfect 100/100 and still don’t get in,” instrumental teacher Mr. Fuschetto said.
Because selection depends on balancing instrument and voice parts across the state, even the most skilled students face unpredictable challenges. This makes North High’s representation of six accepted musicians and five alternates especially noteworthy.
A Milestone in Students’ Musical Journeys
For many All-State musicians, this accomplishment carries deep personal significance. Their performances represent not merely a high score, but years of persistence and growth, a large milestone in a long, challenging musical journey.
“The most challenging part of my All-State solo was the actual performance because of how nervous I was. This would be my last chance as a junior to get into All-State,” senior Ye-On Lee said. “But this accomplishment means a lot because it showed that my years of work–starting from the summer following third grade–paid off. It’s nice to know it wasn’t a waste of time putting so much effort into it.”
Additionally, the challenging demands of juggling musical excellence and commitments with academic or extracurricular responsibilities was a persistent obstacle throughout the process, even leading up to the concert in December of 2025.
“I’m trying my best to balance music with academics and extracurricular activities, but there’s so much to do–college applications, tests, homework–but music teachers are always supportive if academics need to come first,” senior Nina Bikhman said. “Music has been a staple of my life for a long time. I’ve played piano since I was four, and I started singing seriously in freshman year. Music has helped my confidence and influences the decisions I make. So, this accomplishment means a lot to me.”
For Bikhman and others in chorus, orchestra, and band, rehearsals are often layered on top of
AP coursework, extracurricular clubs, and college planning. Their success at All-State underscores their ability to manage time, set goals, and maintain their passion amidst busy schedules.
And the importance of persistence cannot be emphasized enough.
“Although I didn’t make it this year, I’m going to try again next year. It’s a great opportunity, and I’m excited to see how I can do. I love music, and it helps me hone my skills no matter what I accomplish,” junior Harrison Albin said.
Albin’s determination reflects a core value of NYSSMA participation, namely growth over outcome. Teachers frequently encourage students to view All-State not just as a destination, but as an opportunity to improve craft.
A District-Wide Achievement
This year, 13 students from Great Neck Public Schools earned All-State recognition across North and South High, an achievement that showcases the district’s longstanding commitment to arts education.
“The All-State process is extraordinarily selective and requires years of diligent work.” Mr. Fuschetto said. “Our student body should feel immense pride in our selected musicians, and our district should celebrate the incredible representation we have at the festival.”
The celebration is well deserved. Whether they are rehearsing in Rochester, practicing after school, or studying their music on the bus–something Mr. Fuschetto noted with admiration–North High’s musicians demonstrate a level of discipline and passion that elevates the program year after year.
