By BRIANA KEENAN
FOR PASCACK PRESS
WOODCLIFF LAKE—Pursuing a career in the music industry can be competitive, especially at a young age. Many aspiring artists have dreams of gaining a large following in the music industry, and are involved in other arts such as acting.
At 5 years old, Pascack Hills juniors — and fraternal twin sisters — Ava and Cora Patelsky decided to start singing lessons with their vocal director, Jennifer Cece, and have since been involved in different types of performances, from school musicals to planning their own, local concert.
For both, their songs are primarily inspired by teenage problems and relationship difficulties. They sometimes release songs together, but other times, they release individual songs.
“We’re trying to write relatable stuff because I know a lot of girls go through a lot of tough relationships,” Ava told Pascack Press on April 26, “A lot of broken hearts inspired a lot of the songs.”
On June 10, The Patelsky Twins are giving their first concert, all-ages, at Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck. Proceeds benefit charity, the girls say on the event invitation. They describe their sound as like Olivia Rodrigo’s (Grammy-nominated) teen pop.
They shared their excitement of the new experience and goal of stepping into the music industry as a career.
“I’m really excited because we’re playing with a band, and I’ve never done something like that before,” Cora said. “In shows you play with bands, but it’s different when it’s your own stuff.”
Ava added, “Besides plays, this is our own stuff and it’s really cool because this could be the next big step to try to make it in the industry.”
It helps that the girls have enthusiastic support at home. Their dad, Brett Patelsky, told us, “We’re really excited. Since they’ve been little girls they’ve been really theatrical; and what blows my mind the most about them is that even before they’re 17, between the two of them they have 20 original songs. I’m very proud of their hard work and creativity and discipline that they’ve been putting into it. It’s been really fun.”
Brett works in the city, in finance. The girls’ mom, Gina, teaches in Saddle River and is a former gymnast. The girls’ brother, Luke, is a freshman at NYU. Cora is the older twin, by seven minutes.
Both sisters shared their favorite songs that they wrote. Cora said that her favorite is called “A Part of You,” which will be released before their concert. Ava said that her favorite is one that has already been released, “Dry To Me.”
“It’s our most popular I think,” Ava said, “It’s fun when everyone knows [the lyrics].”
The girls’ music is on Spotify, YouTube, and other digital platforms, and they’re working on a website.
In addition to taking these lessons and singing in the Pascack Hills Chamber Choir, the Patelsky twins take part in the school’s musicals.
Cora explained that in fifth grade, they started to perform in shows through local programs Applause and Porch Light Productions outside of school.
“We were going to be Anna and Elsa in ‘Frozen,’ then it got canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Ava said.
Outside of their musical endeavors, the Patelskys are involved in other sports. Cora runs cross country and track for Pascack Hills and Ava plays varsity tennis.
“My team’s also super supportive of my music and it’s a great community,” Cora said.
Aside from singing on the actual track, producing songs involves writing lyrics and picking background instrumentals. Ava said that writing the songs is “really important” to her.”
Cora said that she enjoys the production process. “We build the whole song from scratch, so [we pick] the percussion, piano, and bass…I like that I get to be in control of all of it and I get to see my vision come to life.”
Even though the sisters sing for enjoyment, they especially enjoy leaving an impact on those listening to their songs or watching them perform. This is something that they hope to do at their concert.
“My favorite part of the process is just being able to translate my emotions into words and it’s a way to cope with a lot of problems I’m having…I know I am touching the audience with my words and I’m making relatable content,” Cora said.
The Patelsky Twins play Debonair Concert Hall, 1409 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck, on Saturday, June 10 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6. For venue and ticket information visit https://debonairmusichall.com.