It is often said that Lake Tahoe School provides the foundation for students to summit any peak they choose. This month, two of our alumni, Sydney Kassekert (class of ’22) and Kieran Alston (class of ’23), reached a literal “peak” in the world of performing arts.

As part of the Interlochen Arts Academy’s “Imagine US” Tour, Sydney and Kieran traveled to Detroit, Philadelphia, and Boston to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. More than just a student concert, this was a professional-grade production featuring world-renowned conductors and the legendary Yo-Yo Ma.

Sydney Kassekert: Setting the Stage

Sydney, now a senior in the Singer-Songwriter program at Interlochen, was given the ultimate honor: opening the entire concert.

Not only did Sydney sing, but she also performed an original song she composed titled “Imagine.” The piece, which weaves in imagery of Lady Liberty and the spirit of “America,” was performed as a duet with none other than Yo-Yo Ma. Beyond her musical talent, Sydney has emerged as a true leader, serving as the Vice Chair of the Student Representative Board—a “Bobcat leader” through and through.

Kieran Alston: Mastering the Impossible

While Sydney opened the show, Kieran was at the center of its most technical challenge. He was selected as the solo pianist for Charles Ives’ Symphony No. 4.

If you aren’t a music theorist, here is the short version: Ives’ Fourth is notoriously “impossible” to play. It is so rhythmically dense and complex that many professional orchestras shy away from it. Kieran sat at the front of the orchestra, playing a piano concerto that required immense focus and mastery.

“It is so incredible that a high school orchestra could perform this piece… [it] is centered around finding the American identity, and also showing the power art can have in uniting students from all over the world.” — Kieran

The LTS Legacy in Action

Seeing Sydney and Kieran share the stage with the likes of Wynton Marsalis and members of the Boston and Philadelphia Orchestras is a proud moment for our entire community.

Whether it’s in the “Math Lab” with Mr. Fleming or on the stage at Interlochen, the goal of an LTS education remains the same: to give students the confidence to find their voice and the technical skill to make it heard.

Congratulations, Sydney and Kieran! We are all cheering for you back home in the basin.