After two prominent local performances, local Naomie Grover prepares to perform on the national stages at the OAKE National Choir Concerts. Pictured left to r: Naomie Grover and Music Director Ethan Jacobsen from Gridley School District. Photo courtesy of Joanie Grover

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - January 2026 has been filled with song for local teen Naomie Grover, who has performed at multiple choir events at the regional, state and national levels.

Grover, 13, has had a passion for singing from a young age and began formal vocal training in the fourth grade to further develop her skills.

“I’ve always dreamed of being a singer when I grow up, and I still do,” Grover said.

She has participated in church and school choirs and for the past two years has sung with the Chico Children’s Choir under the direction of Susan Tevis.

Grover recently submitted audition recordings and was selected for the California All-State Music Educators Conference All-State Honor Choir. As part of the process, she studied and performed a required set of musical selections, which she recorded and submitted with assistance from Gridley School District music director Ethan Jacobsen.

The audition recordings had to be completed in a single take, a challenge Grover said required extensive preparation.

“You would practice that song as many times as possible until you get the one you want,” she said.

Her preparation paid off when she was selected to perform with the All-State Honor Choir on Jan. 17 in Sacramento. Grover said she was one of 204 singers chosen statewide.

Following the performance, Grover advanced to the Northern California Music Educators Association Section Honor Choir. The choir performed the following weekend at Chico State University.

Grover’s musical accomplishments will continue this spring. In November, she auditioned for the Organization of American Kodaly Educators National Choir and was selected to participate.

According to the organization’s website, accepted singers learn and memorize music with their local teachers before traveling to the conference city, where they rehearse together before a final performance.

Grover will travel to Chicago March 3 through 7 to perform at Orchestra Hall at the Chicago Symphony Center.

The achievement was overwhelming, Grover said, adding that she “freaked out” when she learned she had been accepted.

Her family has shared in the excitement.

“I’m so super proud of her,” said her mother, Joanie Grover. “It just brings her so much joy. The best experience is watching her over these past two weeks.”

Grover said she is looking forward to learning more challenging music and continuing to develop her voice.

In the meantime, Grover and her family are fundraising to help cover travel expenses by selling cookie bars for $20 per pan. Orders can be placed through Joanie Grover’s Facebook page or an online order form.