There are moments when talent and discipline meet on a single stage—and the result is nothing short of extraordinary. This spring, 19 student musicians from the Lafayette Parish School System earned one of the most prestigious distinctions in Louisiana music education: Gold Medalists at the 2025 Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA) State Solo Festival.

To earn a gold medal at the LMEA competition is to be recognized for excellence at the highest level of solo musicianship in the state. Each performance is adjudicated by master educators and professional musicians, evaluating tone, technique, expression, and interpretation. The designation honors not just talent, but preparation, perseverance, and musical maturity—traits cultivated in Lafayette Parish music classrooms every day.

Among the distinguished list of Gold Medalists was Jonas Johnson, a standout from Lafayette High School, who achieved the remarkable feat of receiving two Gold Medalist honors—one for euphonium and one for tuba—an accomplishment rarely seen at any level.

2025 LPSS Gold Medalists
Scott Middle School

• Jude Domingue

LJ Alleman Fine Arts Magnet Academy

• Dehrani Alexander
• Rylee Barreca
• Olivia Carriere
• Alma Carver
• Genevieve Fontenot
• Taylor George
• Emily Nguyen
• Aubree Olivier
• Edan Smith

Lafayette High School

• Luc Ashurst
• Jonas Johnson (Euphonium & Tuba)
• Molly Lai
• William Long
• Charles Miller
• Ethan Mire
• Molly Musumeche
• William Swann

But for eight of these students, the honors didn’t stop there.

In addition to Gold Medalist status, a small number of top-tier performers from across the state are hand-selected as Recitalists—an honor akin to a state championship title in an individual sport. This is the highest possible recognition an individual student can receive through the LMEA system. Eight LPSS students earned this elite distinction, a testament to the opportunities available to young musicians in our parish and the support systems guiding them.

2025 LPSS Recitalists

• Edan Smith – LJ Alleman
• Rylee Barreca – LJ Alleman
• Taylor George – LJ Alleman
• Jonas Johnson – Lafayette High
• Molly Lai – Lafayette High
• Ethan Mire – Lafayette High
• William Long – Lafayette High
• William Swann – Lafayette High

From middle schoolers just beginning their musical journeys to high schoolers mastering advanced solos, these students exemplify what is possible when schools invest in the arts. Their success reflects not just talent, but the presence of skilled educators, supportive families, and a school district that believes deeply in opportunity—one of LPSS’s core values. Whether on a football field, in a science lab, or holding a bow to string, every student in Lafayette Parish deserves the chance to rise.

These 19 young musicians didn’t just play music this year. They made history.

Click Here to view the full list of 2025 LMEA Gold Medal Recipients