Higher Voice Studio

🎶 Pittsburgh CLO presents Beautiful: The Carole King Musical featuring Paislie Klein-Merlin (Ensemble) and Trevor McClintock-Comeaux (Ensemble)!

Follow the inspiring true story of Carole King's rise to stardom, featuring beloved hits including "You've Got a Friend," "Natural Woman," "One Fine Day," and more.

Performances take place on June 23-26 at 7:30 PM, June 27 at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and June 28 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Join Paislie, Trevor, and the talented cast of Beautiful for this unforgettable celebration of one of music's most iconic singer-songwriters.

Tickets can be purchased at: https://pittsburghclo.culturaldistrict.org/production/104083/list_performances

🎭✨ Audrey Logan Living the Dream ✨🎭

Some moments feel like they belong in a Broadway finale.

Higher Voice Studio alumna Audrey Logan is currently starring as Christine Daaé in Masquerade in New York City, bringing grace, power, and artistry to one of musical theatre's most beloved and immersive roles.

This week, Audrey added another unforgettable memory to her growing list of accomplishments when she attended the 2026 Tony Awards with Cats: The Jellicle Ball and met the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber.

For a performer playing Christine, meeting the composer whose music has inspired generations of artists is a full-circle moment worthy of its own standing ovation. ✨

From captivating audiences on stage to celebrating alongside some of the biggest names in theatre, Audrey continues to make her mark on the industry while pursuing the career she has worked so hard to build.

We couldn't be happier to see her thriving in New York and creating the kind of memories that every young performer dreams about.

Congratulations, Audrey! Here's to many more magical moments ahead. 💛

💗 LAW SCHOOL IS IN SESSION… and it is aggressively pink.

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center presents Legally Blonde, where ambition wears heels, evidence sparkles, and every objection is met with confidence (and a killer outfit).

Starring Linnea McKinney as Elle Woods, with Tristan Heavner in the ensemble, this summerstock run brings full courtroom chaos, comedy, and heart to the stage at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center.

🎟️ Showtimes:
• June 19 – 7:30 PM
• June 20 – 7:30 PM
• June 21 – 2:00 PM
• June 26 – 7:30 PM
• June 27 – 7:30 PM
• June 28 – 2:00 PM

🎫 Tickets: OvationTix Tickets

Come for the courtroom drama. Stay for the glow-up. 💅

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🎭🐦 Student Spotlight: Lisa DeCaria 🐦🎭

Lisa DeCaria had audiences laughing from the moment she waddled onto the stage as Scuttle in The Little Mermaid Jr. at Archangel Gabriel Catholic School.

As the show's resident seabird expert (with some very questionable expertise), Lisa embraced every opportunity to bring comedy to the role. “One particular thing that made me feel like a stronger performer was how I portrayed my role as Scuttle so well. I got the audience laughing so incredibly hard.”

In fact, making people laugh was her mission from the very beginning. “One of my main goals from being in The Little Mermaid Jr. was to get the audience laughing because of my role being the comic relief.” Mission accomplished. “I did indeed achieve this goal all three nights of the show.” 😎

The production also marked a major milestone for Lisa. “My amazing teacher Ms. Kate from Higher Voice Studio helped me prepare for this role by teaching me the correct notes and pitches to sing my first ever solo in a school performance extremely well.”

Taking on her first solo while also carrying some of the show's biggest laughs is no small feat, but Lisa rose to the challenge with confidence, dedication, and plenty of Scuttle-worthy charm.

Whether she was delivering a joke, sharing her "expert" opinions, or singing her solo, Lisa made sure audiences left with smiles on their faces.

After all, if you're going to be a seagull, you might as well be the funniest seagull in the sea. 🐦✨

Congratulations, Lisa! We're so proud of your hard work, growth, and ability to bring so much joy to the stage.

🎓✨ Senior Spotlight: Mariana Mangual ✨🎓

After ten years of voice training, including the past two years at Higher Voice Studio with Carmen LoPresti, Mariana Mangual is ready to take center stage at Baldwin Wallace University, where she will study Music Theatre. And if her future plans are any indication, this is only the opening number. 🎭

Mariana plans to dedicate her career to musical theatre, bringing her love of performance to every stage she can find. Reflecting on her time at HVS, she shared, “I’m incredibly grateful to my vocal coach and the people here, it has been such an amazing experience.” She also credits Higher Voice Studio with helping prepare her for the exciting next chapter ahead. 🎶

Her advice to younger students is thoughtful and encouraging: “Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and try new things!” She also reminds singers that “you are your instrument,” making it important to take care of both your voice and your body.

Some of Mariana’s favorite memories came from the quieter moments, like early morning lessons that somehow turned into long, meaningful chats. Another unforgettable experience was filming her college prescreens right in the Higher Voice Studio' Hibbitt Hall, proving that dreams can start anywhere, even between rehearsal rooms and waiting chairs.

And of course, no student spotlight would be complete without an iconic Carmen quote. Mariana will never forget hearing, “Okay yeah that wasn’t good.” Brutally honest? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. 😂

As Mariana heads toward an exciting future in musical theatre, she carries with her years of growth, unforgettable memories, and a passion for performance that is impossible to miss. ❤️

🎓✨ Senior Spotlight: Teodora Bikowski ✨🎓

After 12 years of voice training, including several years at Higher Voice Studio with Carmen LoPresti, Teodora Bikowski is heading to the University of Denver to double major in Psychology and Special Education with a minor in Theater. Somehow, she also plans to continue theater and voice lessons in college, which is ambitious considering there are still only 24 hours in a day. 🎭📚

Over the years, Teodora has grown tremendously as both a singer and performer. She shared that Higher Voice Studio helped her become “a lot more confident” in herself and her abilities. Through learning new techniques and challenging herself creatively, she became more comfortable “trying new things and pushing myself.” 🌟

Her advice to younger students is simple but important: “Be patient with yourself and trust the process, because improvement takes time.” Teodora encourages students to ask questions, stay open to learning, and most importantly, “have fun!” 💫

Among the many memories she has made at HVS, one of the funniest was when Carmen had her jump on a trampoline while singing during a lesson. Because apparently vocal technique is best tested while airborne. 😄🎶

Teodora also says she will never forget one especially memorable quote from Carmen: “If you don’t stop doubting yourself, the iPad might go airborne.” Equal parts hilarious and motivational. 😂

Looking back on her journey, Teodora is incredibly grateful for the confidence, growth, and unforgettable memories she gained through music and performance. ❤️

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We regularly share ideas, celebrate successes, troubleshoot challenges, and collaborate to make sure every student receives the best possible experience. Whether it's discussing vocal technique, audition preparation, performance opportunities, or artistic growth, our faculty knows that great teaching doesn't happen in a vacuum.

Our students benefit from a team of educators who respect each other's expertise and aren't afraid to ask, "What do you think?"

Of course, collaboration isn't always seamless. Sometimes it means listening to Logan explain his latest Barbara Streisand Theory while Carmen patiently tries to determine whether it's a teaching philosophy, a Broadway conspiracy, or simply something he made up during lunch.

Regardless, the conversation always comes back to the same goal: helping our students grow into confident, capable, and creative artists.

Because at Higher Voice Studio, we're not just a collection of teachers. We're a team.

🎓✨ Senior Spotlight: Roha Pandya ✨🎓

Roha Pandya has been singing since 4th grade and spent the past three years at Higher Voice Studio studying with Tiffany Meyers. A senior at Upper St. Clair High School, Roha is heading to New York University to study Pre-Med, with interests in biomolecular engineering and cinema studies, as she works toward her goal of becoming a doctor, possibly in emergency medicine. 🩺✨

Even with an ambitious academic future ahead, music will remain an important part of Roha's life. She hopes to earn a music minor, continue playing guitar and piano, join music clubs, and find "as many open-mic nights as possible" in New York City. 🎶🎸

Reflecting on her time at Higher Voice Studio, Roha shared that she learned to become "more comfortable and confident in not just my voice, but who I was as a person." By taking risks and putting herself out there, she discovered that growth happens when you're willing to step outside your comfort zone. "I was pushed to take risks," she said, "and it definitely paid off in the end." 🌟

Her advice to younger students is direct and heartfelt: "Be loud, and be heard." Looking back, one of her biggest regrets was not putting herself out there more often. Now, she believes "there's no harm in simply going for it" because "it will go better than you think it will." Her message is simple: "Use your voice, and use it loudly and proudly." 💫

One of Roha's most treasured memories came during her first open mic night in front of her parents. "They had literally never heard me sing before," she recalled. Seeing "the joy on their faces after they heard me" became a moment she will never forget. ❤️

Whether she's pursuing medicine, performing music, or exploring New York City, Roha carries with her the confidence to take chances and the reminder to always let her voice be heard.

🎭✨ Student Spotlight: Genevieve Ressler ✨🎭

Genevieve Ressler took on the role of Katherine in Freaky Friday at Fort Couch Middle School and turned audition chaos into a story of growth, humor, and heart.

Her audition started in a rush. “My entire audition felt crazy,” she said, racing across school to make her 30-minute slot while multiple auditions were happening at once. She arrived basically “next up,” with no time to warm up or calm nerves. Still, she walked in shaking and chose to sing anyway. 🎶

Mid-song, things got tricky. Her voice wavered, she reset, and pushed through high notes that did not fully cooperate. “My heart dropped,” she said after a slip. She even asked to redo it, but the directors said no and told her that her belting sounded great. Her immediate thought was that she did not get cast.

After no callback, she assumed it was over. Then the cast list came out. “My recovery had saved it all,” she said. A reminder that finishing strong matters more than being perfect.

Once rehearsals began, Freaky Friday became organized chaos in the best way “Everyone was so supportive and enthusiastic,” she shared, with cafeteria singing, constant line quoting, and musical theatre energy in every hallway. 🎶

A highlight was her friendship with Bella, her onstage counterpart. “For years I was intimidated by her,” Genevieve admitted, “but she was extremely supportive and friendly.” That grew into a real friendship with weekly hangouts and lots of laughter.

The show also became a major vocal milestone. “This was my first real chance to show my singing voice.” With support from castmates, adults, and voice lessons with Carolyn, she built confidence and started going for high notes instead of avoiding them.

By closing night, emotions were high and waterproof mascara was necessary 😭💄 “We all knew it was ending,” she said, “and I would give anything for one more show.”

Freaky Friday became friendship, growth, and a reminder that messy auditions can lead to the best experiences.