High school girls start band, discover voice

Olivia Zellner | The Chronicle

Photo contributed by Bailee Engel
Bailee Engel, Elena Dente and Genevieve Elgie (left to right) practice music together.

Inspired by the rising wave of female-led bands in the music industry, three Mason High School (MHS) students are redefining what it means to create and perform music.

The Citrinas, named after the iconic citrine gemstone, were formed roughly two years ago after the members decided to create a space where they could grow their musical talents as one. But before Elena Dente, Genevieve Elgie and Bailee Engel could become a band, Engel, guitarist and backup vocalist, said that creating a sense of trust within the group was the most vital step.

“I feel like it was really important for us to develop that bond before we played anything,” Engel said. “If we hadn’t, it would be very hard to connect with each other, not just personally, but instrumentally as well.”

That bond became the foundation of the Citrinas’ unique dynamic, both on and off the stage. Their shared trust allowed them to experiment with new sounds and take creative risks. However, their journey has not come without its challenges. After their debut performance at the MHS talent show in 2024, the band struggled to recover.

”[The band] didn’t sound very good because you couldn’t hear the instruments,” Engel said. “That was our main dilemma. I had gotten posted all over social media after. That social embarrassment is not something that I wish anyone would go through.”

Despite the tough backlash, Engel and the Citrinas moved forward. The band’s drummer, Dente, said the harsh reality of the situation brought the band closer together.

“In times like those, it’s so important as band members and friends to emphasize that you’re not embarrassed to be part of the group and keep playing,” Dente said. “We realized that it was one point in time, that it wouldn’t matter in a year.” 

The Citrinas decided to enjoy the time with each other, rather than deal with the stress of performing. Engel said they realized making music for each other was more important than anything else.

“We just started to mess around, and I think that was so much better for our band,” Engel said. “At the end of the day, you’re not performing for anyone but yourself. And I think we lost sight of that focus for a while.”

Although the Citrinas are not actively performing shows, that doesn’t stop them from being an inspiration to others. Being one of the only all-girl bands of their age in the music scene, Engel said she enjoys using their platform to motivate other young women to explore their passion for music.

“I think being in an all-girl band right now really helps set us apart because it embraces a sense of femininity, and challenges the stereotype that male rock stars are the only rock stars,” Engel said. “And it’s so cool to show younger girls who have a passion for an instrument or want to be in a band that it’s possible.”

Not only do the Citrinas inspire others to embrace their passion, but they also motivate each other to be better. Because all of the members have varying music experience, Dente said they are able to constantly give each other feedback and improve daily.

“There are usually things in each song that some of us can do better than others, especially because we’ve all been playing our instruments for different amounts of time,” Dente said. “But we’re always able to recognize that and give each other constructive criticism, and I know I’ve gotten better because of that.”

The Citrinas push each other to refine not just their skills, but their music taste. Each member brings a distinct blend to the table, and through exchanging their favorite artists and songs, Dente said she is become more open-minded when it comes to playing new genres of music.

“[Bailee’s] presence kind of removes bias in what we want to play as a band,” Dente said. “Bailee, Genevieve, and I all have slightly different music tastes, and it taught me to deconstruct my biases and think of the music that I wasn’t more open to in a different light.” 

As the Citrinas continue to grow, their bond and musicianship grow as well. Even through challenges, Engel said she hopes their music continues to inspire others and remain a creative outlet for her and the band.

“Music is a universal language,” Engel said. “It’s so cool to be able to connect to people through that, and even if we inspire one kid to pick up an instrument or join a band, that’s all we can ask for.”