Kylie Morales, a Ritenour High School sophomore, is one of 100 high school students statewide who has been accepted into the prestigious 2023 Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA) for a two-week intensive camp June 4-17 at Missouri State University in Springfield.

The MFAA selects highly motivated fine arts students from across Missouri for their summer program. 

Morales, who has been playing the violin since third grade, is involved in orchestra at RHS and is an active member of Game Changers. Outside of school, Kylie has been taking ballet classes for 12 years at DaySpring School of Arts and Education and performs in recitals twice a year.

“I wanted to attend the Missouri Fine Arts Academy because it sounded like an excellent opportunity to meet other musicians my age and play in a new setting,” said Morales. “I’ve only ever played orchestra through Ritenour, so I’m really excited to experience what it’s like to play with new people.”

Morales said she’s looking forward to the rigorous learning she’ll have at the academy. “I am most looking forward to learning how to better sight-read new pieces of music, as well as possibly play new styles of music. I’m looking forward to what the camp as a whole has to offer.”