Our Heart is in JanFrancisco

Kayla JanFrancisco doesn’t just listen to music—she lives and breathes it. It’s at the very core of who she is. “I always have a song in my head,” she admits. She enjoys classics like Queen and The Smiths, although she’s also become skilled at singing in Latin.

Kayla auditioned for the Junior Chamber Ensemble (JCE) in 5th grade. Composed of the top vocalists in grades 5–8, JCE meets before school in addition to regular grade-level ensembles. “Kayla is exceptionally musical and determined to do her best,” said Ms. DeJager, the Junior Chamber Ensemble Director. “She takes direction well and always tries to improve. She has the right attitude and works hard at something she loves. It is a joy to be her director.”

By 8th grade, Kayla had already performed with the ILMEA District Choir once before—in 6th grade. Last September, with guidance from Ms. DeJager, she began preparing her audition for the ILMEA Junior High All-State Choir, the inaugural ensemble for junior high students in Illinois.

In October, more than 10,000 7th and 8th graders auditioned for one of nine ILMEA District Choirs, which performed across Illinois in November. From there, ILMEA selected the top 150 singers statewide to form the first-ever Junior High All-State Choir—placing Kayla in the top 1.5% of middle school vocalists in Illinois.

In February, Kayla spent two days rehearsing with select singers under the direction of Dr. Bridget Sweet, Professor of Music Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They performed for a standing-room-only crowd at the Peoria Civic Center Theater, delivering a powerful rendition of Dies Irae, a dramatic Latin piece about the end times.

“It was intense—about judgment and fate. Definitely one of my favorites,” Kayla said. Learning to sing in Latin was both challenging and rewarding. “You really have to focus on pronunciation and emotion to make it come alive.”

ILMEA selected the top 150 singers statewide to form the first-ever Junior High All-State Choir—placing Kayla in the top 1.5% of middle school vocalists in Illinois.

Kayla also plays violin in the middle school orchestra, though she admits her heart truly lies with singing. “I put a lot more priority and effort into singing,” she shared. “Choir is where I really feel like I grow.”

Her four years in Timothy’s Junior Chamber Ensemble have been formative, but as the oldest member this year, she’s eager for new challenges. “I’m excited to join a high school choir with more opportunities to grow musically,” she said. Next year, she plans to sing in Concert Chorale and is even considering voice lessons to further refine her skills.

Kayla credits much of her growth in music to her choir director, Ms. DeJager. “Ms. DeJager has really helped me develop my voice and confidence. She encourages us to push ourselves and makes choir such a fun and welcoming place,” Kayla shared.

Kayla’s God-given gift of music is something she hopes to use beyond high school. She’s intrigued by music therapy—a field that combines music and psychology to promote healing. “Music helps me think more, relax, and process things. I’ve heard that playing music lights up your brain, and I believe it. It just makes me feel better.”