Kayla Selan: A Rising Star in the World of Conducting

Kayla Selan: A Rising Star in the World of Conducting

Kayla Selan, a 20-year-old aspiring conductor and recent graduate of Ashland High School, had a thrilling experience on "The Kelly Clarkson Show." During the show, she received a surprise invitation from Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson to shadow world-renowned conductor Marin Alsop at Carnegie Hall. Selan, who is currently a sophomore at Cleveland State University, expressed her excitement at the opportunity to learn from her biggest inspiration in person.

The journey leading up to Selan's appearance on the show began in March when she connected with Michael Repper, the music director of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. Repper, who has been mentoring Selan since her junior year of high school, helped facilitate the opportunity for her to film with Clarkson at NBC Studios in New York. Despite the whirlwind nature of the experience, Selan was grateful for the support and connections that have propelled her on her conducting journey.

Selan's passion for conducting was ignited during a concert in high school when she approached Marty Kral, the director of bands at Ashland High School, and expressed her desire to pursue a career in conducting. With the guidance and support of Kral and Repper, Selan has been able to pursue her dreams and break barriers in a field where women are underrepresented. She emphasized the importance of advocating for equal opportunities in the profession and the value of music and arts education in public schools.

Overall, Selan's experience on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that has further fueled her passion for conducting. She looks forward to shadowing Marin Alsop at Carnegie Hall and continuing to learn and grow in her chosen field.