Thirteen-year-old soprano Alliana Lili Yang is headed to Carnegie Hall for the second time in a little over a year in April to perform as a special guest at the New York Invitational Music Festival. In between, she completed the Summer@SFCM Vocal Academy program at the Conservatory, studying with the SFCM, Merola, and Adler faculty (Matthew Worth, César Ulloa, Rhoslyn Jones, Suzanne Mentzer, and Cathy Cook). While here, Alliana was one of the few students selected for the culminating masterclass with Ulloa, currently studies with Jones, and can't wait to get her second summer underway.

"The Summer Vocal Academy offers students an incredible opportunity to connect with talented musicians from the Bay Area, as well as from other parts of the world," Alliana said. "During my time with the Academy, I built long-lasting friendships and memories of a lifetime. I can't wait to return this summer to continue my music studies with the outstanding faculty and make new friends!"

Alliana has won 39 regional, national, and international vocal competitions, and was invited to the Invitational Music Festival by the CEO, Linda Troen, who made an exception to the usual age range for the Festival after hearing Alliana's tape.

SFCM's summer Vocal Academy is currently accepting applications until April 1. The Vocal Academy is a week-long residential camp that provides an environment where young musicians can focus intensely and creatively to further their musical and theatrical skills and continue to develop their vocal health, technique, and performance abilities. Under the artistic director of Matthew Worth, it covers topics daily ranging from phonetics to jazz improv techniques and aspects of the Technology and Applied Composition program.