2026 RBYAA Winners

Artemis Drake - Winner

Artemis Drake, a senior at Conrad Weiser High School, has studied oboe and English horn with Jonathan Blumenfeld and Kirstin Myers. Artemis plans to major in oboe performance when she graduates. She has had the opportunity to play with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Philadelphia Area Youth Chamber Ensemble, Settlement Music School’s Weinstein Woodwind Quintet, PMEA festivals at the district, region, and state levels, Franklin & Marshall College's Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Lancaster's Nextgen orchestras, and as an occasional substitute with Reading Pops Orchestra and Hershey Symphony. She has participated in summer music festivals at Tanglewood, Brevard, and Hidden Valley Music Institutes.

Rocky Rochlin - Winner

Rocky Rochlin, a senior at Governor Mifflin Senior High School, is involved with many musical groups in high school. These include Musical, Band, Choir, Select choir, Jazz Band, Rock Band, and Marching Band. Rocky has successfully auditioned into various PMEA groups at the district and region level for chorus, band, orchestra, and jazz band. He has also progressed to PMEA All-State Chorus. As far as community involvement goes, Rocky has participated in the Ringgold band, the Exeter community band, and has played in the pit for musicals at the Genesius Theatre, Reading Civic Theatre, Wyomissing High School, Antietam High School, and the Reading Theatre Project. Rocky plans to study Music Education at a University and would like to thank the Ringgold Band for this amazing opportunity!

Marissa Smith - Winner

Marissa Smith, a senior at Conrad Weiser High School, fell in love with the flute from the first time she picked it up, and has been playing ever since. She’s participated in various PMEA festivals up to the state level, and plays with many groups in her school, including the Conrad Weiser Marching Band, where she serves as section leader as well as student conductor in the stands at footballs games. She also plays piano in Jazz Band, and sings in Choraleers and Octet. This year she had the opportunity to participate in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, an experience that greatly grew her skills as a musician. When not doing music-related activities, Marissa enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and crocheting as well as spending time with her friends. She plans to go to school to study Music Performance and/or Music Education.

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