Edwardsville High School Student Choosen for Carnegie Hall Solo Performance

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School junior McKenna Lee was selected by composer Eric Whitacre to perform a solo during an April 13, 2026, concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City while traveling with the EHS Choir, according to Edwardsville School District #7.

The Edwardsville School District said Lee was “personally selected by renowned composer Eric Whitacre to perform the solo in his arrangement of Hurt” during the performance.

Lee described the moment as “a major confidence boost” and said the experience has inspired her future goals in music, the district said.

“We are so proud of McKenna for representing EHS and District #7 on one of the world’s most iconic stages,” the district said.

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She described the Carnegie Hall stage in New York City as "pretty" and "bigger than I expected."

Lee provides both EHS and choir director Emily Ottwein as critical to her development as a singer.

She said Ottwein has helped her "so much."

"She helped me with learning how to sing to the best of my ability," Lee said. "She's helped me read music better."

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