47 Lee County students earn all-state music honors

Feb 17, 2026 4 min read

The students who earned All-State recognition along with the School Board and school staff members. PROVIDED The students who earned All-State recognition along with the School Board and school staff members.

The School District of Lee County recently announced that 47 student musicians have been selected to participate in the Florida Music Educators Association All-State performing groups, earning recognition among the finest young musicians in Florida.

Each year, FMEA holds statewide auditions to fill spots in 24 different All-State performing groups. Students submit blind video auditions that are evaluated alongside submissions from thousands of peers across the state. This year, Lee County’s 47 selections came from a competitive pool of over 10,000 statewide entries, with students representing the district at the FMEA All-State Music Conference in Tampa this past January.

“I am so proud of these incredibly talented students,” said Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin. “To compete against over 10,000 musicians statewide and earn a spot among the best takes real dedication and passion. These kids are absolutely remarkable and watching them shine is such a joy.”

Students were selected from schools across the district and span elementary through high school levels, representing ensembles including concert orchestras, choirs, bands, and specialized groups.

• Jayden Torres, Bonita Springs High School, High School Honors Big Band

• Phillip Munoz, Cape Coral High School, High School Honors Big Band

• Lorian Moore, Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, All State SSAA Choir

• Mary Holden, Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, All State SSAA Choir

• Krysta’lyn Korn, Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, All State TTBB Choir

• Marc Pierre-Louis, Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, All-State Concert Orchestra

• Danylo Zacharievich, Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, All-State Concert Orchestra

• Madelyn Martinez, Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, High School Guitar Ensemble

• Saenu Dougherty, Cypress Lake Middle School, All-state Middle School Orchestra

• Alyssa Liu, Cypress Lake Middle School, All-state Middle School Orchestra

• Reese Sims, Cypress Lake Middle School, Middle School Mixed Chorus

• Alice Villegas, Diplomat Middle School, Middle School Honors Orchestra

• Travis Opalski, Diplomat Middle School, Middle School Honors Band

• Meiya Zhang, Dunbar High School, Concert Orchestra

• Nishini Fernando, Dunbar High School, HS SSAA

• Jillian Taylor, Fort Myers High School, All State SSAA Choir

• Brandon Sareh, Fort Myers High School, High School Honors Big Band

• Connor Evans, Gulf Middle School, Middle School Honors Band

• Stephanie Fuentes, Lehigh Senior High School, All State SSAA Choir

• Zoe Molina, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, Middle School Honors Orchestra

• Jacob Culbertson, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, Middle School Treble

• David Perugorria-Guzman, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, Middle School Treble

• Jane Peck, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, Middle School Treble

• Emily Skocik, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, Middle School Honors Band

• Veronica Durso, North Fort Myers High School, All State Concert Choir

• Roxy Durso, North Fort Myers High School, All State Concert Choir

• Ella Culbertson, North Fort Myers High School, All State Concert Choir

• Luciana Valencia, North Fort Myers High School, All State Concert Choir

• Emma Bambrey, North Fort Myers High School, All State Concert Choir

• Ethan Mohring, North Fort Myers High School, All State Concert Choir

• Evan Barrero, North Fort Myers High School, All State Concert Choir

• Maya Cotherman, North Fort Myers High School, All State SSAA Choir

• Benjamin Hughes, North Fort Myers High School, All State TTBB Choir

• Isaiah Pasternack, North Fort Myers High School, Symphonic Band

• Samantha Olivera, North Fort Myers High School, Symphonic Winds

• Justin Wang, North Fort Myers High School, Symphony Orchestra

• Ethan Nguyen, North Fort Myers High School, Symphony Orchestra

• Nathan Haworth, Oak Hammock Middle, Middle School Honor Band

• Ruby Santos-Sales, Oak Hammock Middle, Middle School Honor Orchestra

• Angelina Brister, Patriot Elementary, Elementary Choir

• MacKenzie Baker, Spring Creek Elementary, Elementary Choir

• Juliet Jumpp, Spring Creek Elementary, Elementary Choir

• Amber Ortega, Spring Creek Elementary, Elementary Choir

• Alexandra Flynt, The Sanibel School, Middle School Treble

• Ava Wodjeski, The Sanibel School, Middle School Treble

• Andrea Benitez Gomez, Three Oaks Middle School, Middle School Honors Band

• Laila Young, Three Oaks Middle School, Middle School Honor Orchestra