By Ana Carolina Morales

With a heavy and solid voice, soprano talent Keyla Garcia stood out among the crowd during her participation in the Region Choir, a student choral singing competition held by regions in Texas. The contest was at Seven Lakes Junior High of Katy on Saturday, March 23.

The 13-year-old, an El Sistema Texas student, competed in the 23rd region, where Katy ISD schools are. She sang the pieces: Shule Aroon, A New Day, and Ad Astra. Her impeccable performance let her advance to another competition that will take place on April 13 at Katy Taylor High School.

Keyla’s music teacher, Jessica Colmenares, explained that the 23rd region is usually difficult to compete in because of the high musical level of those schools. “Keyla is in the Soprano 2-type of voice and won against 52 other students of that category. I estimate that approximately 250 choralists were competing,” added Colmenares.

She explained that Region Choir auditions are always private, and the jury’s feedback is not public. After selecting the best performances, Keyla was among the best 20 girls by the Soprano 2 voice type. 

Her voice is still developing, and we cannot categorize it yet. Her voice range is quite wide, but she is heavy and solid. For that reason, I have her as soprano 2. I have her as an alto voice.”

Now Keyla is warming up for the April 13 concert. During the morning, there will be workshops and rehearsals, and the presentation is at 4:00 pm.

Keyla is 13 years old and has been practicing her vocal skills under Colmenares’ guidance for five years. “Keyla has an enormous talent, and with another choir partner, Zoe, they joined El Sistema Texas. Her vocal and musical qualities have grown. She can work on a high-level artistic repertoire, including opera. She has been in the ranks of the El Sistema Texas Children’s Choir and the Youth Choir for a year now.”

For Colmenares, Keyla’s achievement allows her to continue improving. “Staying in the choir region is difficult for anyone, much less for the first time. This opportunity will allow her to open more doors if she chooses singing and music as a profession.”

El Sistema Texas Children’s and Youth Choirs performed along two other choirs in Bryan and Brenham. Keyla and her peers sang the last movement of Requiem, a piece by the French composer and organist Gabriel Fauré. Click this link to enjoy the powerful voices of these young musicians in their most recent presentation.