Goshen Community Schools

Goshen Community Schools is thrilled to announce that Elsa Alstrom-Brookhyser, a 7th grader at Goshen Junior
High School, has been accepted into the 45-member Indiana Junior All-State Orchestra, an elite ensemble of young
string musicians from across the state. Elsa was the only student from Elkhart County selected for this prestigious
group, which performed on Saturday, January 18, at the historic Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne during the Indiana
Music Education Association’s (IMEA) Professional Development Conference.

The Indiana Junior All-State Orchestra, organized by the Indiana Chapter of the American String Teachers
Association (ASTA), is a highly selective ensemble showcasing middle school musicians performing advanced
repertoire. Acceptance into the orchestra is based on a blind audition, ensuring selections are made solely on musical
ability. Elsa’s audition included a three-octave major scale, a two-octave melodic minor scale, a performance excerpt,
and an etude demonstrating technical proficiency.

Elsa began her violin journey at the age of six with Dr. Rosalyn Troiano at Goshen College's Community School of
the Arts (CSA) Suzuki String Program. She currently studies under Dr. Jaehyuk Choi at the CSA. Elsa has further
honed her skills through programs like the University of Louisville Suzuki Summer String Institute and the Blue Lake
Family Suzuki Camp, where she received additional instruction and the opportunity to play with young string players
from across the country. She also participated for two years in the ECoSistema Music Program at the Goshen Boys
& Girls Club.

When asked about her experience with the Junior All-State Orchestra, Elsa shared, “My favorite part was playing fun
advanced music and making new friends.”

The Junior All-State Orchestra’s repertoire challenges even high school-level musicians. Elsa joined fellow musicians
in Fort Wayne on Friday morning for rehearsals under the direction of guest conductor Dion Morales, a nationally
recognized music educator. The ensemble’s performance capped two days of intense preparation, educational
workshops, and opportunities for social connection with peers from across Indiana.

The performance on January 18 took place in the stunning Embassy Theatre, a fitting venue for the ensemble’s
showcase of talent and dedication.

Elsa’s achievement is especially remarkable given the limited representation from Michiana: only one other student,
a violinist from Granger, joined her in representing the region. The majority of the orchestra’s members hailed from
larger schools in West Lafayette and Indianapolis.

Goshen Community Schools congratulates Elsa on her dedication and extraordinary accomplishment. Her selection
highlights the exceptional talent and commitment of our students and the strength of our music education program.