NVTMA Achievement Awards Competition, 2011

Faith Ellen Lam is a NVMTA Achievement Award Competition winner! She was one of 19 performers who participated in the Intermediate Level. Her program included compositions by J.S. Bach, G.Faure and S. Prokofiev.

"Spanish Dance" By Gabrielle Li

Duet Competition. I flashed a nervous smile and Maggie returned it. Our eyes shined with infinite excitement and courage. The crowd’s thunderous applause engulfed us like a thousand; cheering and calling. Then they stopped, leaning forward eagerly; hungry for music. Reassurance and encouragement seeped in me, radiating an everlasting hope, glowing gently. 123. 123. A tranquil, mellow tune seeped from the piano. We were in Spain. Ladies dance, wearing ruffle dresses and crimson red roses. Tinkle of trills scatter and melodies rang everywhere. Like a gust of wind, it was all gone, and we were in the world of fantasy.
Free. Our fingers skitter up and down the keys. The song erupts and powerful chords and melodies pricked with staccatos bursts. The song is in rage. Everyone dances and laughs with joy/a joy that cannot be explained, but only embraced. The sky cried tears of happiness and the sun radiated its miraculous light. It was paradise. Suddenly, my fingers sank into the lowest key. Mysteriously, the sound wavers. We play with passion, melancholy, and holler. We’re free. Free of practice, free of stress, free of everything. We soar in world of music, as we stir a beautiful dance. The last skitter of notes fades and the piano sings the last gentle note.

WMTA Viola Hartman Performance Awards and More

From my garden.....

It is getting hot outside, sun is spoiling us a little more as we approach June. Students are eager to finish assigned homework projects and are noticeably more anxious about getting off the school bus as they try to make most of their free time. When I volunteered at my daughter’s school library, I noticed that hallways were getting louder, almost like little beehives buzzing with a new discovered energy. Teachers must summon all their patience to contain pupil attention as most of the grades are preparing for the end of the year SOL tests.

Here are results from WMTA Viola Hartman Performance Awards, event that takes place on Mother’s Day. It was a beautiful day. Moms were greeted with colorful greeting cards and Mother’s Day kisses, and many could expand their family day celebration with beautiful music. Our studio was represented by a dynamic quartet: Lucy, Maggie, Charlotte and Eileen.

Lucy- 1st place (Group B)
Charlotte- 3rd place (Group D)
Maggie- 3rd place (Group E)
Eileen- 3rd place (Group K)

Faith prepared a big program and entered Music Concerts at the Alden 2011-2012 Auditions. She has been selected to perform next season, and I hope our studio will be attending this wonderful event to hear Faith play. The date of her performance will be announced later.




From NVMTA newsletter:

Pianist Yong Hi Moon shared her extraordinary talents as a performing artist and teacher to the NVMTA for a Master Class featuring three students. Faith Lam was one of the students invited to this master class.
Young Hi Moon, Professor of Piano at the Peabody Conservatory, illustrates a musical point to Faith Lam during her presentation at the NVMTA April meeting.

I am sure piano practice takes even more commitment and discipline at this time since many have been looking forward to a chance of an outdoor recess and weekend get-together with classmates for favorite sports activities. Keep it up…we are almost there.

photo from the NVMTA photographer, L.Bogart