Niskayuna Central School District > Archive > Sophie Spindler named WMHT’s Classical Student Musician of the Month
Student being interviewed in a TV studio
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Sophie Spindler named WMHT’s Classical Student Musician of the Month

Sophie Spindler on set at WMHT as the January Classical Student Musician of the Month.
Sophie Spindler on set at WMHT as the January Classical Student Musician of the Month.

Niskayuna High School Senior Sophie Spindler is WMHT’s January Classical Student Musician of the Month!

Sophie has been singing since she was young and has studied voice under NHS Director of Choral Studies Mrs. Christina Pizzino-Catalano since she was in 8th grade.

“I was very grateful to be selected for this honor. I was also excited to revisit an old piece, ‘Sin Tu Amor’ by Miguel Sandoval, that I love performing,” Spindler said.

(Left to right) Aidan Page, Sophie Spindler, Sofia Trimarchi, and Lily Graham at NYSSMA All-State in Rochester in December 2023.
(Left to right) Aidan Page, Sophie Spindler, Sofia Trimarchi, and Lily Graham (left to right) at NYSSMA All-State in Rochester in December 2023.

Spindler was interviewed and sang on-camera accompanied by Ms. Luanne Hawk. She believes it takes more than hitting the right notes to put on a great performance.

“While I am singing, I try to embody the character I am singing as,” Spindler said. “I do that by working with Mrs. Catalano to not only sing the notes but tell the character’s story by understanding the text of the piece.”

Pizzino said while Sophie certainly has innate talent, she has developed and honed her musical skills to perform with wonderful artistry.

“When I received the opportunity to nominate a student for the WMHT High School Classical Student Musician, Sophie immediately came to mind,” said Pizzino-Catalano. “She is both a fantastic soloist and choral singer, someone who openly accepts feedback, and a student who takes the initiative to implement changes on her own to improve her technique.”

(Left to right) Lily Graham, Sophie Spindler, Eujeong Choi, Sofia Trimarchi, and Aidan Page at NYSSMA.
(Left to right) Lily Graham, Sophie Spindler, Eujeong Choi, Sofia Trimarchi, and Aidan Page at NYSSMA.

Spindler’s many vocal achievements include multiple perfect scores at the NYSSMA solo festival (most recently on Mozart’s incredibly intricate “Una donna a quindici anni” from the opera Così fan tutte), acceptance into the All-State and Area All-State Choruses, the Albany Pro Musica Honor Choir and International Choral Festival in Ontario (where she received a full scholarship to attend), Suburban Council Select Mixed Chorus, and in January, the Schenectady All-County Select Mixed Chorus.

Spindler takes every opportunity to sing in multiple styles and languages including Italian, French, German, Latin, Hebrew, Spanish and more. Despite these recognitions, Sophie remains humble, grateful, kind, and supportive of her fellow collaborators.

“I believe that no matter what pathway Sophie chooses, she will remain a musician and a supporter of the arts,” Pizzino-Catalano said.

Spindler’s interview and performance will air (WMHT-FM 89.1) in January on Friday mornings just after 7 a.m.  and Saturday evenings just before 6 p.m. all month. The video clip of her performance will also be available online.