Whiz Kid: Harriton All-State Clarinetist Stephanie Herrmann

This week's Whiz Kid: Stephanie Herrmann

- School: junior; Stephanie lives in Bryn Mawr

- Accomplishment: Stephanie competed to earn a spot among the top 5 percent of regional winners in the 2011 PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) All-State Band, in which she played clarinet. She was also selected this year to participate in the district orchestra.

Stephanie has been playing the clarinet and saxophone since she was in elementary school. 

In December, Stephanie auditioned scales, sight reading and a solo piece at the district level.

The actual participation in the All-State Band consisted of three days of practicing music assigned to them by a conductor and then a concert at the end of the weekend, Stephanie said.

Stephanie plays the saxophone in the school jazz ensemble, and she also participates in area youth orchestras outside of school--the Delaware County Youth Orchestra and the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra, she said.

Key to awesomeness: Stephanie said she enjoys playing the clarinet because it's fun, because she listens to a lot of music and because she enjoys the sound. 

She said most people in her family play an instrument, so it's something they have in common.

Though Stephanie doesn't aspire to be a professional musician, she practices all the time because she enjoys it. And all that practice makes auditions go well, Stephanie said.