Westonka High Singers Invited to Prestigious Vocal Festival

Four seniors from Westonka High School choir selected for elite Dorian Vocal Festival at Luther College.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Four seniors from Westonka High School's choir program - Sydney Carlin, Lillian Leger, Britta Elliott, and Sarah Goralczyk - were invited to participate in the prestigious Dorian Vocal Festival hosted by Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The festival featured over 900 outstanding junior and senior vocalists from around the Upper Midwest region.

Why it matters

The Dorian Vocal Festival is considered one of the most selective and prestigious high school choral events in the country, providing talented young singers the opportunity to perform in a massive, talented festival chorus under the direction of renowned choral conductors.

The details

The four Westonka High School seniors, along with their choir director Kelly Newell, attended the two-day festival in January. Highlights included working directly with Dr. Andrew Last, the director of the Nordic Choir at Luther College, as well as hearing the renowned Nordic Choir perform and singing in the massive festival chorus themselves.

  • The Dorian Vocal Festival took place on January 11-12, 2026.

The players

Sydney Carlin

A senior at Westonka High School who was invited to participate in the prestigious Dorian Vocal Festival.

Lillian Leger

A senior at Westonka High School who was invited to participate in the prestigious Dorian Vocal Festival.

Britta Elliott

A senior at Westonka High School who was invited to participate in the prestigious Dorian Vocal Festival.

Sarah Goralczyk

A senior at Westonka High School who was invited to participate in the prestigious Dorian Vocal Festival.

Kelly Newell

The choir director at Westonka High School who accompanied the four seniors to the Dorian Vocal Festival.

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What they’re saying

“This majestic ensemble of over 900 talented, passionate singers is profound in and of itself, and the memories made senior year are the icing on the cake. These dedicated seniors did a phenomenal job of representing the Westonka High School Choral Department, and I am very proud.”

— Kelly Newell, Choir Director, Westonka High School (hometownsource.com)

The takeaway

The selection of four Westonka High School seniors to participate in the prestigious Dorian Vocal Festival highlights the exceptional talent and dedication of the school's choir program, as well as the students' commitment to their craft. This opportunity allows them to perform alongside hundreds of other outstanding young vocalists from across the region.