South Jersey Student Wins Statewide Musical Honor

MOORESTOWN, NJ — A 2026 graduate of Moorestown High School won the state honor in a "Young Musicians" competition.

Bass vocalist and composer Ivan Dean Denissov earned the 2026 Music in the Somerset Hills (MISH) scholarship over more than 20 other applicants across New Jersey.

He was recognized for his "rare combination of technical command, musical imagination, and a deeply rooted sense of purpose" in his work.

"Whenever I perform, I try and connect to every audience member," Denissov told Patch,"...even the most unresponsive, to make them feel some sort of joy, nostalgia, or romance to transport the listener, even for just a moment."

Ivan is a Juilliard Pre-College voice major and served as a student conductor and bass section leader while at Moorestown.

You might have also seen him once or twice while grabbing food at "The Pie Lady" nearby, a "really special spot" with some of his favorite bites and a cozy environment.

It's also where he first started performing, out on the street for tips and food.

Now, Ivan is ranked the top Bass II singer in the New Jersey All-State Choir and has held major roles in numerous regional choirs and ensembles.

His scholarship application also highlighted his work around the South Jersey community, including his work at Marlton Gardens nursing home, where he would sing for residents.

It was during one of these performances that a man who rarely leaves his unit suddenly got up and started to dance during a string of Frank Sinatra-style songs.

In the moments after, it became apparent to Ivan that his gift was meant to bring the most amount of joy to as many people as he could.

Along with vocals, Denissov is an actor, conductor, and instrumentalist on guitar, piano, bass, and trombone.

While he draws influence and inspiration from the likes of Bach, Ella Fitzgerald, and Chet Baker, it's a teacher at Moorestown High who he said made just as much of a difference in his journey.

"Our director, Mc. Caela Johnson, is a visionary and has transformed our program," he said. "With her, we traveled to Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague...she led us in performing the entire Mozart Requiem at the Princeton University Chapel...being a soloist and digging into such an incredibly sophisticated piece of music was truly enlightening and very unprecedented for a high school choir."

Going from South Jersey to the South, the next step for Ivan will be Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music.

His goal is to complete a Master's and Doctor of Musical Arts degree and go on to be a professor at a conservatory.

"I hope that my shows inspire people to create and experience music on a deeper level," added Ivan. "If I'm able to (make) someone else as excited about music as I am, I know I've done my job."

MISH is a community of musicians based in Bernardsville, NJ, with the mission to advance education, artistry, and community throughout the Garden State.

The group holds concerts, educational programs, and collaborative projects that blend urban cultural centers into more local spaces to make music accessible to all audiences.

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