Two Utica Community Schools student musicians have been honored as among the best student jazz musicians in Michigan.
Matt Elechicon, of Utica High School, and Zachary Kroll, of Stevenson High School, are among only 42 students statewide named the 2025 State Jazz Festival Outstanding Musicians.
“This list represents the finest jazz students in Michigan,” said Garret M. Ernst , MSBOA Executive Director
The honor was based on their performances at the annual MSBOA State Jazz Festival, held at Eisenhower HS on March 19th, 2025.
Each judge at the festival was asked to select up to three musicians from the site to be recognized as "Outstanding Jazz Musicians". With so many great jazz musicians in our state, this was difficult! This list represents the finest jazz students in Michigan!
“I think everyone there was really prepared, so I just came in an gave it my all. I was really happy with the result,” Kroll said, who plays the tenor saxophone. It is an instrument he has been playing since sixth grade.
Elechicon was honored for his performance on the piano, which he has been playing since he was five. While he plans to pursue nursing at Oakland University next year, he said performance and music will always be an important part of his life.
“It really allows me to express myself,” he said.
It is a sentiment shared by Elechicon.
“Music is my escape for everything,” he said. “If ever there is an issue I’m thinking about, music is good way for me to get out of that mindset.”
The Utica High School jazz band is led by teacher Brett Bays and Stevenson High School students perform under Michael Yaros.
Both teachers shared their pride in their students’ accomplishments.
“Matt has been an outstanding student for the Utica Jazz Band for the past three years,” Bays said. “His recognition by MSBOA is definitely deserved! He is a hardworking student who puts in many hours of practice to keep improving his skills! I'm very proud of his accomplishment!”
"Zach Kroll is an exceptional musician whose talent is multi-faceted. It is no surprise that he was nominated for this high honor, because he exhibits professional-level leadership and musicianship every day in band,” Zaros said. “He can play any woodwind instrument, including flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone (and even recorder!) He even marched mellophone (a brass instrument) during the 2024-25 marching season, and was recently invited to play in a professional woodwind ensemble, where they competed and earned 1st place at several competitions. While I have little to do with his success, I am very proud to have him in the Stevenson program, and am very excited to see where his gifts lead him."
