Willa Modder, a student at The Prairie School, has been selected for the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Willa is the daughter of Sam, Mary D. Bradford High School Alum, and Liz Modder, both graduates of UW Parkside. She is also the granddaughter of Kenosha residents, including long-time, retired KUSD educators Marvin and Mary Modder.
Willa will perform Cello on February 8th with the WorldStrides High School Honors Symphony Orchestra. Participation in the Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest-rated young performers from across the world. Willa auditioned for the Honors Performance Series and was recently accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in their application and audition recording.
Willa has studied music for 10 years, is a member of The Prairie School Voices. And previously the Racine Kiwanis Youth Symphony and other notable groups as follows:
- Student Government at The Prairie School
- Racine Academy of Dance (2011 – 2020)
- Suzuki Strings Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary (2017 – 2020)
- Racine Kiwanis Youth Symphony Music Program (11/2020 – 6/2023)
- Racine Dance Arts Center (2023 – 2024)
- The Prairie School Voices (2021 – 2025)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Badger Precollege Summer Music Clinic (2024)
- Awards for competition solo and group performances with Racine Academy of Dance (2016 – 2020)
- Solo performer for Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary School (2020)
- Performed The Cry with a professional group with The Prairie School Voices (2024)
- Two one stars in two state solo and ensemble attempts to get to State both years and earned 1’s at State (2024 and 2025)
- UW-Parkside State Solo and Ensemble
- Bach Cello Suite No. 1 (2024 Wisconsin State Solo) – earned a 1
- Rachmaninov Vocalise (2025 Wisconsin State Solo) – earned a 1
Willa and her family would also like to pass along special thanks to all of her private lesson instructors and The Prairie School Music Teachers, who have influenced her journey.
In response to their selection, Willa said, “For as long as I can remember, I have been dedicating time and effort into my cello playing. Since second grade, I have been working on not perfecting my cello playing but learning to better understand the instrument. Although to many the cello might appear to be a large piece of wood with some strings attached, to me, it is so much more. It is an outlet to unleash my anger, sadness, joy, and any other emotions that might be too much for me to carry on my own. Instead of bearing the burden of life, I can allow my pain to seep through my fingertips into my cello and out into the world. The music I play is not only notes from a page, it is a translation of the emotions and feelings I hold within myself that even I cannot understand, but somehow, my cello can. Not only is my cello a creative outlet, but it is a place of discipline. I have spent countless hours perfecting my work and internalizing the music rather than just learning it. Being a part of the Honors Performance Series not only gives me an opportunity to flourish but gives the young second-grade girl inside of me to live out her dream of being a great cellist.”
Willa will join performers from across the United States and abroad for a special performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement. The finalists will come together in New York City, where they will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other performers, and get a taste of NYC. The Honors Performance will take place on Sunday, February 8, at Carnegie Hall, and is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased prior to the performance through the Carnegie Hall box office at https://www.carnegiehall.org/#calendar
“Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing,” said Marion Gomez, Music Director for the Honors Performance Series. “We processed nearly 10,000 nominations this year and have selected the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at these renowned music halls is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians will never forget.”
The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual student performers on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in world renowned venues. The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented by WorldStrides, the nation’s leading educational travel organization. Learn more by visiting honorsperformance.org and worldstrides.com.
