Alyssa Van Lanen, a 17 year old Two Rivers, WI, studied flute (2001-2005) and violin (1995-2005) at the Holy Family Conservatory of Music in Manitowoc as well as studying flute with Nancy Collins (2004-2006) and flute with Lise Stolarczyk in Denmark (2006-2007). She studied voice in 2006 with Connie Albert and has attended numerous music camps in Green Bay, Whitewater and Madison and master classes at Lawrence University and UW Marshfield.
Alyssa performed on violin and flute for 5 years (2000-2004) with the Lakeshore Youth Symphony Orchestra, violin for four years (2002-2005) with the Holy Family Conservatory String Ensemble as well as flute for the 2004 Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) Middle Level State Honors Orchestra and 2005 WSMA High School State Honors Band. She has spent the past year on Rotary Foreign Exchange in Vejle, Denmark studying Danish, learning about European cultures and serving as student ambassador for the United States.
Some of Alyssa’s musical achievements include winning the 2003 Silver Lake College High School Solo Artist Competition – Woodwind Division while in the 7th grade. In 2004, she placed 2nd in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), East Central Division Junior Woodwind Competition held at Oberlin University in Ohio. The same year, Alyssa earned the position of principal flutist in the WSMA Middle Level State Honors Orchestra. In 2005, she earned 2nd place in the MTNA, National Junior Woodwind Competition held in Seattle Washington.
In 2006 as a sophomore, she placed 1st in the MTNA, East Central Division Senior Woodwind Competition held at Ball State University in Indiana. Alyssa has earned over a dozen WSMA High School State Competition 1st place marks beginning with the Quantz Flute Concerto 1st Movement at age twelve. These honors include three 1st place exemplary performance certificates for her flute solos the remaining three years. She was also violinist in the Masquers pit orchestra for the musicals “Singin’ in the Rain” and three consecutive years of “A Christmas Carol” (2003-2005). Most recently, Alyssa competed in the 2006 Milwaukee Symphony Young Artist Competition performing Franz Doppler’s’ “Hungarian Fantasie” with Maestro Wayne Wildman as accompanist on piano.
At Two Rivers High School, Alyssa has participated in volleyball, track, pomerai, band, chorus, and the school play. She has worked with Power of Positive Students, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Teens Against Tobacco Use, Multicultural Club, Conservation Club, Octagon Club, and she has sung the national anthem for sporting events. Alyssa plans to graduate high school after three years in the spring of 2008.
