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Valencia High School Jazz Choir Wins First Place In Nation At Next Generation Jazz Festival

The Valencia High School jazz choir, Two N’ Four Vocal Jazz Ensemble, was ranked as the top jazz choir in the country last weekend, after winning the Next Generation Monterey Jazz Festival.


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The Two N’ Four Vocal Jazz Ensemble placed first in the nation Saturday, beating other public, private and performing arts high schools from all over the nation, said VHS Choir Director Christine Tavares-Mocha.

“Eight jazz choirs from all over the country are selected to perform at the Next Generation Monterey Jazz Festival,” said Tavares-Mocha. “After the eight choirs compete, the top two are selected to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival in September.”

The VHS Jazz choir has been selected to compete in the Next Generation Jazz Festival for over 10 years and they have been showcased as one of the top two winners in the past. But this weekend marks their first time being named the 1st place festival winners.

Related: Valencia High School Vocal Jazz Named 1 In Nation By Downbeat

“The student’s main goal as performers is to try and please the audience to receive a standing ovation,” Tavares-Mocha. “To us, that is our highest honor. It’s just ‘the cherry on the top’ if we actually win.”

Winning the competition meant a lot for not only Tavares-Mocha, but for her students as well.

“Most of the students who won this year are juniors and seniors who have put a lot of work in trying to win this event since they joined high school,” said Tavares-Mocha.

Related: Valencia High School Singers To Play At Monterey Jazz Festival

Each year, the winning jazz choir has the opportunity to be the opening act for jazz professionals at the Pro Monterey Jazz Festival in the fall.

In September, the choir will perform  alongside jazz professionals such as Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea.

A Valencia singer, Jaden Lewis, also won the best soloist award at the competition, Tavares-Mocha said.

The vocalists who were part of the winning choir included Henry Anderson, Justina Lee, Sophia Bellefeuille, Alexia Vincent, James Evans, Matthew Ahn, Yonghee Shin, Jaden Lewis, Therese Masangcay, Calvin Kim, Zachary Miranda, Kenneth Borchart, Kelley Fredriksen, Danna Dumandan, Clay (Elias) Riche, Chris Gilbert and Madison Miller.

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Valencia High School Jazz Choir Wins First Place In Nation At Next Generation Jazz Festival

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About Louie Diaz

Louie was born and raised in Santa Clarita. At the age of two Louie lost his vision due to a brain tumor. However, Louie doesn't let blindness stop him from doing what ever it is he wants to accomplish. Growing up some of his favorite hobbies were wood working, fishing and riding bikes. Louie graduated from College of the Canyon in December of 2017, with a Broadcast Journalism degree. Growing up Louie has always wanted to be a fire fighter or a police officer, but because of his blindness Louie knew that wouldn't work. Louie has always loved listening to police and fire radio traffic, using a scanner, and he figured if he was going to listen to the scanner so much, he should do something with it.