Two BG teens compete at state solo vocal contest

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Two Battle Ground area teens recently competed in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association(WIAA)/Washington Music Educators Association(WMEA) State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Ellensburg.

Savannah Wetzler, a 16-year-old sophomore at Prairie High School, and Kaleb Burris, a 16-year-old junior at Evergreen High School, both competed at the state contest. The two are both students of vocal teacher Amy Cole of Cole Studios.

Burris, who is a long-time resident of Battle Ground, earned third place out of 24 other baritones in his division at the April 26 state contest. Burris was able to advance to the state competition after winning the WIAA/WMEA Regional Solo and Ensemble Contest, competing against numerous baritones in the Clark County region.

Wetzler, who also lives in Battle Ground, was also able to advance to the state solo competition after placing first among a number of other sopranos at the regional competition. She said she was honored to be able to attend the state competition, in which she competed against 44 other sopranos.

Burris’ passion for music and talent as a baritone vocalist has allowed him opportunities to perform with Pacific Youth Choir in Portland, the Evergreen High School Chamber Choir, All-State Honor Choir and District Honor Choir for three consecutive years. He has won the regional solo ensemble contest in the baritone category two years in a row and also placed in the top 10 as a soloist at state in 2013. Burris has studied voice at Cole Studios with his vocal teacher and aunt, Cole, for seven years and has also been mentored by Michael Day, vocal director at Evergreen High School.



In college, Burris plans to continue his musical studies and hopes to major in vocal performance and music education. In addition to music, Burris is a two-year member of the varsity cheer team at Evergreen High School and he loves to read and enjoy family and friends in his free time.

Wetzler has been taking voice lessons for two and a half year – the last eight months from Cole. She is in the Symphonic Choir at Prairie High School and has also been involved with musical theater since the age of 5. She loves singing and everything in the arts – drawing, painting, interior design, dancing, acting, making up songs and more.

Some other passions of Wetzler’s include writing, traveling to new places and spending time with her family and friends. She said she wanted to send a special thanks to her parents and brothers for their never-ending support and her grandparents for introducing her to her “most favorite things” – music and theater.

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to continue on this musical journey,” Wetzler said. “I am keeping an open mind for my future plans, but for the moment I will continue singing and hope to audition for solo and ensemble next year.”