Featuring Young Voices, a space in our newsletter where teens ages 13–18 share their stories, ideas, and creativity. Enjoy this featured piece from one of our young contributors.
by Kiki Smith, Young Voices Contributors
I started playing clarinet in the 6th grade, when I was 11 years old. I grew up in Texas, so unlike in Pennsylvania where students start wind instruments around 4th or 5th grade, I started later than most students because that is when students begin learning a band instrument in Texas.
I joke with my parents about how clarinet wasn’t my first choice of instrument. I wanted to play the saxophone, but my band director in Texas sent out a survey and had us photograph our mouths and hands, then I was told that I would be good at clarinet. I think I will always have a deep appreciation for my middle school director, Jennifer Bergeron, because without her, I would not be the musician I am today.
Most of the time, I try to fit clarinet practice into my schedule between studying for classes and attending sports practice on my high school rowing team. I usually try to practice at least one hour a day at home, but sometimes it is a challenge to balance school, sports, and music. But, if I cannot find time at home to practice, sometimes I will use the practice rooms my school offers during my free period.
The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), is a statewide nonprofit that is dedicated to promoting music education in Pennsylvania. Usually at the high school level, PMEA hosts a series of festivals at several locations as a celebration of musical talent and dedication. To be chosen for PMEA multiple times is a great honor. So far I have attended two PMEA All-State festivals, three Honors Band festivals, four District Bands and 3 Regional Bands. Each time, I meet new people, sometimes from across the state, which I always appreciate because I am able to build connections that can last not only through high school, but beyond as well.
The process of being selected for each individual PMEA festival requires an audition. To qualify for Honors Band and District festivals, a specific solo or etude for the specific instrument is published on the PMEA page, and it is the student’s responsibility to learn the piece listed and be prepared for any selection from the piece to be assigned for the audition. Upon arrival at the event, they must then audition for chair placement, and the opportunity to advance to the next event level.
When I played with the PMEA All-State Orchestra in April 2026, the band sounded phenomenal. The level of dedication and hard work for all members of the ensemble is astounding, and the sound really reflects the high level of preparation that was put into the music.
Having the opportunity to play in any PMEA All-State ensemble is a very enriching experience, because it really exposes you to truly magical music making. One big difference I noticed between my high school band and the PMEA All-State ensembles is that at All-State, all the musicians were able to adjust their pitch accordingly to one another without being asked, which isn’t always the case in a high school ensemble.
I plan to keep music in my life in my college career and beyond. However, I plan to minor in music performance and pursue a major in STEM because I would like to become a surgeon. But clarinet will always hold a special place in my heart, because music is one of my greatest passions, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share it with others.
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About the author: Kyriaki (Kiki) Smith is rising senior at Upper St. Clair High School. She has attended multiple PMEA Festivals throughout her high school career and plays clarinet for the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. Kiki also serves as principal clarinetist of the Upper St. Clair Honors Wind Ensemble and is an active member of the Upper St. Clair Rowing Team. In her free time, Kiki enjoys hiking and painting as well as composing poetry
