NVMTA Piano Duet Competition, 2013

It was an extraordinary day for everyone, indeed. Beautiful playing and lovely weather will make this day very memorable for our studio.

 Level I (age 8 and under)

Nicole and Sophia- 1^st place

Level II (age 9-10)

Lucy and Cindy- 1^st place

Level IIIA (age 11)

Angus and Eli- 1^st place

Level IIIB (age 12-13)

Maggie and Charlotte- 1^st place

Nicole said, “Playing duets is fun because You get to make new friends.  Playing in a competition isn't as scary when you have a partner.  When you win it's twice as fun as wining by yourself."

Applause for Nicole

   

     Nicole Papenfuss, second grader, won 2^nd place  and a monetary award at the Old Dominion University Harold Protsman Classical Perdiod Piano Competition. She prepared two movements of classical Sonata for this competitive event. Students had to present two contrasting movements from classical sonata at the preliminary auditions before being selected for the final round. This year, the adjudicator was John O’Conor. Applause for Nicole!

                                                   Nicole with her big sister, Michelle.

NVMTA Concerto Festival/Competition

Our studio had a small (five students) but strong showing at the NVMTA Concerto Festival/Competition this winter.

Grades 4-5

Lucy-1^st place

Eli-3^rd place

Grades 6-7

Charlotte-1^st place

Angus -2^nd place

  Sophia played her first concerto with a lot of energy and confidence. Her Haydn Concerto was musical and cheerful, just the way it should be. Way to go, Sophia!

Charlotte not only participated as a soloist, she also performed the task of an accompanist for Eli. Great team work!

 Please check back for updates regarding duet event and upcoming student recitals. March promises to be a more relaxing and quiet month according to studio calendar of events.

Winter News

February, the busiest month ever is almost over. I can hear parents asking in disbelief, “There is no festival or recital this weekend?”  Thank you for keeping weekend schedules flexible and attending Theory Exam, WMTA Speciality Competition, Baroque Festival and  several recitals during past few weeks.

 VMTA Theory Exam was a success. Students were well prepared. Eileen, busy TJ student, tackled with great skills level IX, I am very proud of her!

Top Theory scores- Sophia (%100) and Lucy 


Theme for WMTA Speciality Competition this year was “American and Canadian Music”. Congratulations to our winner:

Charlotte- 1^st place

Bach Baroque Festival results:

Superior Plus- Nicole, Eli

Superior- Sophia, Lucy, Helen, Gaby

15 point awards- Eli, Lucy and Katherine

January, 2013

January is almost over even though unusually warm weather does not appear to be on the same page as winter in this performance.  Do not get too confident just yet. Despite mischievous sunshine and its promises of an early spring,  I am convinced that we will get a visit from shy Ms.Winter.  

 Students have had a quick start to a new year, several events already successfully attended in January. Here is a quick update about the latest news:

NVMTA Judged Recital

Gabrielle- Honors

Eli- HM

 NVMTA Sight Reading Exam Top scores:

Charlotte- 100%

Sophia-99%

SMC Honors

Helen 

Nicole 

Charlotte 

WMTA Speciality Competition and NVMTA Theory Exam are next events, please check back for more updates.

Important Events, 2013

       Eileen, Maggie, Gaby and Charlotte catching up before Group Class I

April

Saturday, April 13-NVMTA General Student Recital, AWC, 2:30 & 3:45

Sunday, April 14-NVMTA Judged Recital

Saturday, April 20-SMC Student Recital, Jordan Kitts

Saturday, April 27, Piano Ensemble Festival

May

Sunday, May 5- NVMTA General Recital, 2:30 & 3:45,AWC

Saturday, May 11- NVMTA Piano Achievements Awards

Sunday, May 12- WMTA Hartman Awards, Catholic University, Washington DC

Sunday, May 19- NVMTA Piano Sonata Festival, GMU

Fall Notes

Autumn has arrived, students have picked up a faster pace as they march to school buses during brisk morning hours. Not as many warm days left, but there is a  lingering scent of a pumpkin pie in the air. November for many is a busy and quick month thanks  to a fast approaching Thanksgiving Holiday.

                                Nicole, welcome to our studio!

 Past weekend, students participated in VMTA Fall Festival. Good work, everyone! 

“Superior”- Nicole, Sophia, Angus, Charlotte and Katherine

                              Angus at Jordan Kitts

Gabrielle and Maggie participated in Asian American Competition. Junior group had 22 participants this year. Gabrielle and Maggie  were both recognized, they received HM and high scores from judges.

Helen, Charlotte and Lucy performed at Reston Community Center before heading to Fall Festival. 

                                     Lucy performs at Reston Community Center

SMC held its first Student Recital:
Honors- Sophia, Eli and Maggie

NVMTA Judged Recital
HM-Maggie 

                               Eli and Maggie after SMC Students Recital at Jordan Kitts