Higher Voice Studio

🎓✨ Senior Spotlight: Mariana Mangual ✨🎓

After ten years of voice training, including the past two years at Higher Voice Studio with Carmen LoPresti, Mariana Mangual is ready to take center stage at Baldwin Wallace University, where she will study Music Theatre. And if her future plans are any indication, this is only the opening number. 🎭

Mariana plans to dedicate her career to musical theatre, bringing her love of performance to every stage she can find. Reflecting on her time at HVS, she shared, “I’m incredibly grateful to my vocal coach and the people here, it has been such an amazing experience.” She also credits Higher Voice Studio with helping prepare her for the exciting next chapter ahead. 🎶

Her advice to younger students is thoughtful and encouraging: “Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and try new things!” She also reminds singers that “you are your instrument,” making it important to take care of both your voice and your body.

Some of Mariana’s favorite memories came from the quieter moments, like early morning lessons that somehow turned into long, meaningful chats. Another unforgettable experience was filming her college prescreens right in the Higher Voice Studio' Hibbitt Hall, proving that dreams can start anywhere, even between rehearsal rooms and waiting chairs.

And of course, no student spotlight would be complete without an iconic Carmen quote. Mariana will never forget hearing, “Okay yeah that wasn’t good.” Brutally honest? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. 😂

As Mariana heads toward an exciting future in musical theatre, she carries with her years of growth, unforgettable memories, and a passion for performance that is impossible to miss. ❤️

🎓✨ Senior Spotlight: Roha Pandya ✨🎓

Roha Pandya has been singing since 4th grade and spent the past three years at Higher Voice Studio studying with Tiffany Meyers. A senior at Upper St. Clair High School, Roha is heading to New York University to study Pre-Med, with interests in biomolecular engineering and cinema studies, as she works toward her goal of becoming a doctor, possibly in emergency medicine. 🩺✨

Even with an ambitious academic future ahead, music will remain an important part of Roha's life. She hopes to earn a music minor, continue playing guitar and piano, join music clubs, and find "as many open-mic nights as possible" in New York City. 🎶🎸

Reflecting on her time at Higher Voice Studio, Roha shared that she learned to become "more comfortable and confident in not just my voice, but who I was as a person." By taking risks and putting herself out there, she discovered that growth happens when you're willing to step outside your comfort zone. "I was pushed to take risks," she said, "and it definitely paid off in the end." 🌟

Her advice to younger students is direct and heartfelt: "Be loud, and be heard." Looking back, one of her biggest regrets was not putting herself out there more often. Now, she believes "there's no harm in simply going for it" because "it will go better than you think it will." Her message is simple: "Use your voice, and use it loudly and proudly." 💫

One of Roha's most treasured memories came during her first open mic night in front of her parents. "They had literally never heard me sing before," she recalled. Seeing "the joy on their faces after they heard me" became a moment she will never forget. ❤️

Whether she's pursuing medicine, performing music, or exploring New York City, Roha carries with her the confidence to take chances and the reminder to always let her voice be heard.