June

                           Maggie with Sonata Honors ribbon

  Excitement is hard to miss as countdown is on for a "Have a Great Summer" bell at school, most of you already have made plans for international travel or fun summer camps. Before I get busy with my daughters’ swim team and other summer activities, I wanted to give you one more update.

Raelyn, Eli and Nicole were invited as winners of Judged Recitals to take part at NVMTA Honors Recital.

                                       With Lucy and Raelyn

Everyone received a shiny trophy from Sonata Festival at GMU.

First round winners: Charlotte, Nicole, Lucy, Raelyn and Maggie

Honors- Lucy, Raelyn, Maggie

                              "Woodlands", photo from SMC newsletter

Sophia, Jacqui, Helen, Katherine, Angus and Charlotte performed on the program of SMC Honors Recitals at “Woodlands”.

Nicole has been selected as a finalist of the International Young Artist Piano Competition. She will be performing in the final round this coming weekend.

Northern District Auditions: 

Nicole-HM

Raelyn-HM

Big thanks to all of you for the job well done this year! Snow days have made summer break much shorter, so please make the most of it.

Moving Forward

We are sending our warmest congratulations to several middle school students in our studio.

 Angus Chang, 7^th grade student,  received the highest “Music Honor Award” at Rocky Run Middle School. He has always successfully managed two instruments, piano and cello. Angus has been invited to play in Chamber Orchestra next year.

 Eli, 6^th grader, and Maggie, 8^th grader, spent past weekend in New York City. Both students were winners of AFAF competition, and were invited to perform at the Gala Concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. 

       Eli performs Sonatina in g minor by D. Kabalevsky

It is so great to see students enjoy music studies, keep on playing!

Event Files

  Month of May has marched in with more sunshine, I see happier faces ready to enjoy extra recess time at school. Past two weeks have been very busy, please see results:

Kayleigh and Raelyn

NVMTA Piano Ensemble Competition:

Level 2:

Sophia and Nicole- 1^st place

Level 3A:

Raelyn and Kayleigh- 3^rd place

Level 3B:

Maggie and Eli- 1^st place

Eli and Maggie

WMTA Hartman Piano Awards

Nicole-2^nd place

Raelyn-3^rd place

Sophia- Honorable Mention

NVMTA Piano Achievement Awards

This year, Elementary level had record number of 35 entrants for grades K-6 group.  We are very proud of Raelyn and Nicole!

Raelyn and Nicole- Honorable Mention

NVMTA Judged Recital:

Helen-HM

One more performance on studio event calendar and we are officially ready to finish school year. Everyone will be playing Sonatina or Sonata next weekend at GMU. Please check back for more information about it.

Note-able News

 

Spring break is in full bloom along with delicate cherry blossoms, I hope everyone is taking this opportunity to enjoy family time. Despite chilly morning temperatures, long awaited sunshine is greeting us every morning. Last part of the season will be quite busy for everyone. Please mark your calendars for upcoming SMC Honors Recitals on May 15th and May 22th, and Sonata Festival at GMU on May 18th. 

Latest in our studio:

Nicole and Maggie participated at WMTA Judged Recital. Congratulations to Nicole!

 Nicole- Honors

Helen, Lucy, Yvette, Charlotte and Angus attended last studio recital at "Woodlands". In addition to piano pieces, program included a guest artist,  Cindy. 

                              Cindy(violin) accompanied by Lucy

Jacqui, Sophia, Katherine, Nicole and Raelyn attended NVMTA General recital.

Sophia, Nicole and Jacqui after NVMTA Recital

     Raelyn was featured on the program of the Young Artist Musicale at GMU. She was selected as a young artist after receiving Honors at the NVMTA Judged Recital. Young Artists Musicals are presented in conjunction with Jeffrey Siegel's "Keyboard Conversations" performances at GMU. 

                                                     Raelyn with Jeffrey Siegal

I will post maps and other information about Hartman Awards and Sonata Festival very soon.

Raelyn at ODU Competition

Past weekend Raelyn Hoang participated in Old Dominion University Harold Protsman Classical Period Piano Competition. In this competition students ages pre-school to college were divided in 5 levels and required to perform two contrasting movements from Classical Sonata. Raelyn won the First place for her level. She also received a Helen and Warren Aleck Special Award of $500 for the most promising overall performance in levels 1 to 3! 

  After being chosen for finals, Raelyn wrote:

 "When the final competition started, I told myself not to worry, just do my best. That is what my mommy always says before competition. I was the third one to play. When they called my name, my legs started to shake. I know there were so many eyes looking at me. I tried not to look down  and then I thought about the music and I started to play. I felt very good afterward.

  After everyone in level 1 to 3 played, Mrs. Cardin came up the stage to announce results. Wow! I  got the first place in level 1. I could not believe what I heard, but I was so proud to walk up the stage to receive the prize. After all awards were given, Mrs. Cardin called my name again for the Helen and Warren Aleck Special award and gave me a medal. I didn't know know what is was at the moment, but I was happy to receive it. Later when I saw my mommy, she told me that I just got the award of $500 for the most promising overall performance in levels 1to3. I was so happy and could not wait to let Ms. Silva know."

                                             Raelyn with Lambert Orkis

Spring Forward

Sun is shining brighter and days are becoming longer as we flip calendar pages to March. 

Take a look at the latest accomplishments:

NVMTA Judged- Charlotte HM

SMC Honors-Sophia, Jacqui, Angus, Maggie and Eli 

 Nicole at work!

NVMTA Concerto Festival

Grades k-3

Nicole- 1^st place

Sophia-2^nd place

Grades 6-7

Angus-2^nd place

  Sophia and Ms. Silva

Students have worked hard, and I cannot say enough how grateful I am to all parents for all the support and dedication they have shown to make each event a success! Katherine and Jacqui played beautiful programs at the Concerto Festival. Sophia served as an accompanist for the first time to make her sister's debut more memorable, what a fantastic job you did together!

 On the other note, several students start preparing for different upcoming events, including important English Writing SOL for fifth graders in Fairfax County. After showing fast qualifying times, Charlotte and Lucy will be heading to Junior Olympics in swimming at the end of this week, swim fast!

Baroque Festival, 2014

   Snow storm failed to interfere with Baroque Festival/Competition this year. I am thrilled to report that everyone performed beautifully and received "Superior" in addition to collecting points towards medals and trophies. 

Competition winners, Katherine and Nicole, attended a beautiful Honors Concert held in Arlington. Both students received lovely medals.

Group Winners:

Nicole-Intermediate Level

Katherine- Intermediate Level

Raelyn- 15 point trophy

Superior- Helen, Lucy, Eli, Sophia, Jacqui, Nicole, Katherine, Charlotte and Raelyn