Every year, high school students from across New Hampshire audition for prestigious state-wide music festivals, and this year was no exception. Continuing a tradition of musical excellence, 13 students from Manchester’s high schools have been selected to participate in these renowned festivals. Representing Central, Memorial, and West High Schools, these talented young musicians will showcase their skills at the NHMEA Jazz All-State Festival from February 6-8 in Derry and the NHMEA All-State Festival from April 2-4 in Concord. Read the Manchester School District’s announcement on this here: https://www.mansd.org/article/1981176 

Among these talented musicians is David Kulikovskiy, a junior who has earned a place in the NHMEA All-State Orchestra.

David, whose primary instrument is the violin, is also a student in the Video & Digital Media program at Manchester School of Technology (MST). He is considering Audio Engineering as a potential college major but remains passionate about performance. Reflecting on his All-State journey, David said, “In the future, I would like to be a performer. All-State is a step to that.”

Preparation for the All-State audition was no small feat. David developed a disciplined practice routine, listening to the audition music on repeat while following along with sheet music. He would slow down the recordings to play along at a comfortable pace, gradually increasing the speed as his confidence grew. He also credits his private lesson instructor for his success, along with his mom’s encouragement. “My mom kept on me to practice,” David shared. David also credits his music teacher at Memorial High School, Mrs. Jaques for her mentorship.

Outside of school, David is an active member of his church’s orchestra, which includes both adults and children. His musical journey began in third grade when he was drawn to the violin during an assembly introducing students to different instruments. Despite his older brother’s attempts to teach him piano, David found his passion in the strings.

When he’s not playing violin, David enjoys fitness and boxing, hobbies that balance his artistic pursuits. Looking ahead, David plans to re-audition during the festival with hopes of earning a higher seat placement. He continues to practice every day after school, working on scales and perfecting his technique.

David is excited to meet new friends and play alongside his peers at the NHMEA All-State Festival in April. For those inspired by his dedication, David offers this advice: “Don’t stop playing over the summer. Practice every day. Do your homework on time so you have time to practice.”

Congratulations to David Kulikovskiy and all of Manchester’s All-State musicians for their hard work and dedication to their craft!