2026 WMB Scholarship Winners: Quentin, Sarah and Sienna

The Williamsville Music Boosters has awarded their yearly scholarship to three wonderful musicians from across the district this year! We’d like to congratulate all of them on this accomplishment, and wish them well in the future. Our winner from South High School is Quentin Baker, and from East High School Sarah Patti and Sienna Solazzo also each won a scholarship!

Sarah Patti — East High 

Sarah Patti grew up with music in her family; she says her older brother used to play, and she wanted to perform similarly to him. She started piano lessons at a young age and continued her musical journey with trumpet, euphonium, and voice. Sarah acknowledges that some of the greatest support for her musical journey came from her teachers here in the Williamsville Central School District, including Mrs. Gutillo, Mrs. Raimondo, Miss Girzone, Mrs. Ieda, Dr. Buckley, and Mr. McCluskey, who all pushed Sarah to study and pursue music. She also studies privately with Mr. Craig Smith, one of the choral directors at Williamsville North High School. Mrs. Gutillo, in particular, was Sarah’s inspiration to commit to musical education as she graduates from high school and looks to continue her music studies at the collegiate level. 

Sarah says that there is no greater joy in life than choral music, as she says that “it is one of the best things you can experience.” She felt this impact strongest one year at All-County where, under the guidance of Dr. Rosephanye Powell, she performed for an audience with the ECMEA All-County 2024 Chorus, and the joy of performing alongside them as well as the awe of the audience is a key memory that left Sarah thinking she could not imagine her day to day life without music. As she progressed, she took all the music classes that fit her schedule and participated in many activities, including Chorale, Jazz Band, and vocal jazz. She represented Williamsville East at NYSSMA Conference All‑State Vocal Jazz in December 2025, an experience that further deepened her passion for music. She says that her favorite part of music is the community that takes part in it, as making music together is a collaborative effort, and community is a key part of the choral experience. She also appreciates the expressive power of music as an art form. Sarah believes that music, in general, is about joy, human connection, community building, and, most importantly, having fun with everything related to it. 

Her biggest tip for new and growing musicians is to practice constantly and find someone who pushes you to become better. Within the Williamsville District, Sarah has taken part in many of Williamsville East’s drama club productions, Winterfest and Legends of Jazz, as well as larger All-State competitions such as NYSSMA.

“I love music, and I’m incredibly grateful that the Music Boosters are financially supporting my music career and my growth as a musician from here on” - Sarah Patti, Scholarship Winner 2026

Sienna Solazzo — East High 

Sienna Solazzo has always loved music; she played instruments from elementary through high school, (beginning on clarinet, then switching to viola) and has been part of the chorus since the 3rd grade. When it came to the biggest influences in her musical career, she credits the teachers at Williamsville East, including Mrs. Ieda, Mrs. Girzone, and Mrs. Raimondo. She participated in All-County Chorus in the fifth grade and was inspired to continue pushing herself; when she entered high school, her teachers did just that. They provided endless encouragement for her to attend NYSSMA and Conference All-State ensembles, and to join many of the groups offered at East, so she could challenge herself and build her confidence and skill with more difficult music. Sienna was deeply committed to vocal arts and the viola throughout high school, joining ensembles such as Chorale, vocal jazz, and symphony orchestra, all of which expanded her repertoire. 

Music is extremely important to her; she couldn’t imagine doing anything without it or not having it as part of her journey as she continues past high school. This led her to choose the University of Buffalo, a school with a music program, so she could continue her musical career. Her favorite parts of her musical journey were making lots of close friends, performing, and having the opportunity to take solos on stage. For Sienna, music is an outlet: something to spend time on and dedicate her emotions and thoughts to. It has been a constant throughout her high school experience. She’s always been able to come back to music and participate in it. 

For younger and growing musicians, she says to keep going. Participate in music because you love to, not because you need to be the best at it. Don’t compare yourself to others because there will always be a spot for you in the Williamsville Music Department. Have fun and be yourself! Within East High, Sienna has been part of the drama club every year, and she’s taken part in their productions, along with Winterfest, symphony orchestra, vocal solos, string quartets, Legends of Jazz, and has even arranged pieces for concerts. This past year, she was president of Symphony Orchestra and student director of Vocal Jazz. She’s going to college for Civil Engineering and Music (Vocal Performance). She’s excited to continue and see what new experiences it has to offer.

​“I’d like to thank the Williamsville music department for everything they’ve given me and for giving me a space where I can connect with others through my love of music” - Sienna Solazzo, Scholarship Winner 2026.