GSSM Concert Choir Performs at Carnegie Hall Alongside Clemson University Choirs and National Ensembles

HARTSVILLE, S.C. (March 26, 2025) – The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) proudly announces that its Concert Choir performed at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City on Saturday, March 22. The choir joined Clemson University’s choral ensembles and other distinguished groups from across the country for this unforgettable event, presented by MidAmerica Productions. 

This opportunity marks a milestone for GSSM’s growing music program, which has seen remarkable success since its expansion in 2019 to include Honors Concert Choir, Honors Orchestra and AP Music Theory. GSSM’s student musicians have consistently earned high honors in divisions of the South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA), paving the way for prestigious invitations such as this. 

“This experience provided our students with the opportunity to collaborate with full-time musicians from Clemson, choral students from across South Carolina and California, and perform on one of the most iconic stages in the world,” said Miranda Averill, GSSM music instructor. “It was an enriching educational and performance experience that we will always remember. Our students put their whole hearts into preparing for this moment, and it was so rewarding to see them have the time of their lives—it was well-deserved.” 

Averill added that the GSSM choir was honored to perform under the direction of Clemson’s Dr. Anthony Bernarducci, who made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting Mozart’s Mass in C Major, K. 317, “Coronation” and his own unaccompanied choral work Missa Brevis San Francesco d’Assisi – Kyrie. “None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our school president, Mr. Danny Dorsel, VP of Student Development Emilye Mobley, and VP of Business Operations and Finance Elizabeth Oswald-Sease,” she said. 
 
“Our students are amazingly talented. Most people recognize them for their academic prowess, but their artistic ability runs just as deep,” said Danny Dorsel, GSSM president. “We are proud of how they performed at Carnegie Hall alongside university-level musical groups.” 

The performance was part of a weekend-long event hosted by MidAmerica Productions, an organization known for bringing together talented ensembles from across the globe to perform at Carnegie Hall. Clemson University’s choirs were among the featured ensembles, further highlighting the strong presence of South Carolina talent on the national stage. 

Participating performers included: Madisen Oberg, Savannah McKerracher, Aurora Adams, Tiku Mbu, Julianne Selph, Brinda Panchal, Miranda Easterling-Averill, Ryan Watford, William Stokes, Landon Park, and Gabriel Barahona Smith. 

For more information on the performance, visit: 

• Greenville Journal Article 

• MidAmerica Productions 2025 Concert Series 

For more information about GSSM, visit www.scgssm.org. 

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About the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics 
The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) is a nationally ranked top 10 public high school that exists to bring world-class STEM education to students across the state. Founded in 1988 by Gov. Carroll Campbell, GSSM is a state resource that offers a variety of programs including an intensive two-year residential high school, a challenging virtual engineering program, summer camps, and in-school experiences for students in 3rd through 12th grades. At GSSM challenge is viewed as a gateway to opportunity. Learn more about how we help students realize their full potential by visiting www.scgssm.org.