The Federal Way Chorale announced that Autumn Helene Chociej is the 2025 recipient of the Don Barrows Memorial Scholarship.

Autumn is a graduating senior at Auburn High School where she performs with the jazz and advanced symphonic choirs. As a student in the Running Start program, Autumn is also a member of the Green River College Jazz Voices.

Singing in choirs beginning with the Rainier Youth Choirs, to the Seattle Opera Teen Vocal Studio and Youth Opera and on to the Seattle Opera has filled Autumn’s life with music. With the Seattle Opera, she has had the opportunity to perform roles in Robin Hood, Pagliacci, The Magic Flute and Tosca.

Autumn plans to attend Lawrence Conservatory in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she will double major in classical voice performance and composition. Her career goal is to perform leading roles in opera, for, as she says, “Music opens up my soul. It’s how I express myself.”