For Fionna Lee ’25, singing is a passion. In her insatiable pursuit to master her craft, she has already been selected for the NJSMA New Jersey Regional Mixed Choir, NJMEA All-State Mixed Choir and ACDA East SATB Honor Choir. While researching opportunities to challenge herself further in the summer before her senior year, Fionna stumbled upon one of the most rigorous programs, 2,700 miles away, that accepts only a handful of out-of-state students each year.

The California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) is a prestigious four-week program for high school students held at the California Institute of the Arts. The school offers courses in animation, music, film, theatre, dance, visual arts and writing. The admission process is highly competitive, with students selected based on talent and creativity shown in their applications and teacher recommendations. This year, Fionna is one of only 20 students outside of California to be accepted.

“I am beyond grateful for this opportunity,” Fionna said after being accepted. “My musicianship has grown exponentially since coming to Blair, and I hope to come out of this program with greater knowledge of music, just absorbing and learning as much as I can. I want to take it all in.”

During her time in California in July, Fionna studied in the music program, learning new techniques and honing ideas under the supportive guidance of leading professional musicians in concerts and master classes. Areas of study included music history and theory, composition and improvisation, Indonesian gamelan and African drumming/dance classes, and exciting interdisciplinary collaborations within the program. Overall, the program’s mission is to create a training environment for young artists who hope to pursue careers in the arts and entertainment in California.

“This is, indeed, a milestone achievement for Fionna, and our community could not be more thrilled for her,” Director of Vocal Music Ryan Manni-Brennan shared. “As her choir director and voice teacher, I have to commend her for the hours of practice she put in, often unseen by many others—it’s this kind of dedication to one’s craft and reflective practice that defines a Blair musician.”

As Fionna begins her senior year, the experience she gained at CSSSA will only benefit her as she bolsters her college resume and visits potential schools. Looking back on her experiences in Blair Academy Singers, she is filled with gratitude for the older choir members, whose footsteps she has followed over the last three years, growing and learning in the program. Fionna remembers joining as a ninth grader, nervous and excited to be surrounded by such talented singers. This year serves as a full-circle moment, as the newest members now look to her for guidance, confident they are learning from the best. We can’t wait to see what Fionna’s final year on the hilltop will bring!