The Highlands Youth Ensemble, under the direction of Jane Morison was formed in 2002 by former Artistic Director Beth P. McCoy to continue the musical education of area young people who had graduated from the East Tennessee Children's Choir. The group, which annually consists of between 25 and 30 9th-12th grade students (plus changed male voices in 8th grade) from throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, primarily performs predominately a cappella repertoire in four-part (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) harmony.