Whiz Kid: Flute Player Cassie Hoffman Heads to State Music Competition

Each week, the Whiz Kid column spotlights an accomplishment of a student or student group.

Name: Cassie Hoffman, 15

School:

Accomplishment: Hoffman, an Oakland Township resident, received a 1 – the top score – for her flute solo in the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association District contest in February; she will compete in the state Solo/Ensemble contest this month.

Key to Awesomeness: Hoffman, a sophomore at Stoney Creek High School, has been playing the flute for five years. She was a member of the wind ensemble in the fall and currently plays for the symphony band. Hoffman takes private lessons outside of school and practices about half an hour each day.

Hoffman loves music and finds it relaxing to play, she said. This is the second year she has received a 1 at the district contest. Besides playing the flute, she plays basketball and runs cross country and track.

The state Solo/Ensemble Festival will take place at Stoney Creek High School March 26.

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Each week, Rochester Patch seeks suggestions from readers for individual  kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to editor Jen Anesi. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)