Sam Helal and Lindsey Roylance are ending their high school years on a high note.

Helal, a Coeur d'Alene High senior, and Roylance, a Post Falls High senior, won their categories at the recent Idaho Music Educators Association State Solo Contest in Pocatello.

Helal captured the Double Bass category, while Roylance sang her way to the top of the Mezzo Soprano category.

For Helal, it's all about that bass.

"It's my song," she said with a smile. "I just like that deep sound."

Helal and her upright bass "Cecelia" performed "Concerto in D" by Austrian composer Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf.

"It was pretty cool," she said. "Being a bass, it's such a small pool of people. There were a lot more people this year than last year. There were only four people last year, and this year it was seven, so that was nice."

It wasn't the first time Helal earned musical accolades - she came in first place at the solo contest last year, second place as a sophomore and has already played at Carnegie Hall in New York twice with the High School Honors Performance Series.

"My band teacher one day said, 'This audition is in two weeks, you should do it,' and so I did it," she said. "It was really exciting. I really enjoy playing with people who are better than I am, so that was just amazing."

Helal only began playing the bass four years ago. She also played percussion in middle school, played trombone in marching band, served as the drum major in the marching band and pep band this year and is active with the Coeur d'Alene Symphony after performing with the Coeur d'Alene Youth Orchestra for several years. Music has been a part of her life all along.

"My mom used to play piano and so when I was in kindergarten I would say, 'Mommy, mommy, I want to play too.' By the time I was in first grade she finally gave in and let me take lessons," she said. "It's been my major form of expression and entertainment."

She practices at home and school about 14 hours each week and understands the importance of keeping up with the instrument. She takes lessons once a week with Stephen Swanson of the Spokane Symphony.

"He's pretty proud, he gets to brag about it a little," Helal said.

After graduation, Helal will attend the University of Minnesota where she will study environmental engineering and minor in music.

"I'll have a lot more opportunities to play with other musicians," she said. "And people who participate in college music will be more ambition-driven and be, I guess, better musicians and more focused than the people I play with now."

Helal's CHS music teacher, Jim Phillips, said to have students place in the top three is a big deal.

"We did very well this year," he said.

When it comes to Helal, he said it's sometimes difficult to keep such an advanced performer busy.

"The hard thing is finding something that actually challenges her," he said.

Roylance, who has been competing in music since she was in the seventh grade, lettered all four years with the PFHS Troubadors varsity choir instructed by John Kracht.

"That's almost unheard of for a girl; the last one graduated when I was a freshman," she said. "I feel honored to be in Troubadors for so long. It's well-known throughout the state. Mr. Kracht has helped me grow and has been there for me the whole time."

At the state contest, Roylance sang George Frideric Handel's "Ah! mio cor schernito sei!"

Roylance placed fourth at state during her freshman and junior years.

"After they started to announce the winners, I didn't think I'd placed at all," she said. "So when they announced the winner, I was so happy and shocked. My dad got up and cheered and my whole family from Utah were there to watch me. I'd been trying so long to make it to the top and finally did it."

About 30 students participated in the category at state.

Roylance made the all-state choir her freshman and sophomore years. She made the All-Northwest Choir as a sophomore and senior.

Roylance has performed in a choir at her church at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Post Falls. She also hopes to sing while attending Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg.

"I really want to continue to grow (with singing) whether it's through church, school or a career," she said. "It's not something that I want to part with."

Roylance plans to major in family and marriage counseling.

"I want to be a family counselor and help children who have experienced trauma," she said. "I love being able to help people through their issues."