Wilson Hoyt: Performing with the Carnegie Hall Honors Choir

Each year, the prestigious Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House choose students from around the world to participate in the Honors Performance Series program. This year Cascia Hall Senior Wilson Hoyt has been selected to be part of the Carnegie Hall Honors Choir and the Sydney Opera House Honors Choir. Wilson will be performing with other finalists, including classmate Celyn Grigson, at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He will also rehearse and perform this summer with finalists from around the world at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia.

TK: When did you start singing?

Wilson: I started singing in early childhood, but not truly trained until 10th grade.

TK: How did you start singing?

Wilson: At the end of my freshman year, my parents had always heard me singing around the house, in the shower, etc. and finally decided I was good enough to make it into Cascia’s select performance ensemble. [I didn’t feel I could make it], but they threatened to sit outside the school and not drive me home unless I auditioned. Needless to say, I made it, and can’t thank my parents enough for that decision.

TK: What is your favorite type of music to perform?

Wilson: Modern Rock/Alternative

TK: How did it feel to be selected as a member of the Carnegie Hall Honors Choir and the Sydney Opera House Honors Choir?

Wilson: When I found out I was selected, it was a mix of shock and disbelief as it was the culmination of all my hard work over the past three years.

TK: What was the selection process?

Wilson: I was selected by creating a five-minute audition tape with two pieces, one classical piece in English and another in Italian.

TK: Who inspires you?

Wilson: My mom inspires me more than anybody as she consistently pushes me to be the best person I can be, even through her own struggles with her health since she had a stroke.

TK: Do you have any advice for future performers?

Wilson:  My advice is to have fun! If you aren’t enjoying what you are doing, you won’t be able to make the audience enjoy your performance!

TK: What are your hobbies?

Wilson: One of my main hobbies is robotics and working on the mechanical team.

TK: What are your plans and goals for the future?

Wilson:  My plan is to continue singing in college (hopefully a performance group wherever I end up) while pursuing a career to become a surgeon.

TK: What is a fun fact about you?

Wilson:  I’ve been the biggest Star Wars fan since I was a little kid!