WSMTA State Competition Results

The WSMTA State Honor Recital Competition takes place every year the Sunday before MAP. Students from the Music Artistry Program are eligible for this contest, and winners are announced after MAP is over.

This year, our judge Dr. Susan Chan, was pleased to hear a number of exceptionally talented Olympia students in two afternoon recitals. The 2 winners of the competition will go on to the State Conference in June to perform with other honors students from all around Washington. Students are also given awards and travel stipends.

Winner, Alternates and Hon Mention from our studio:

Winner: Chloe! First Alternate: Alexander! Hon. Mention: Grant!

Great job to all performers!

MAP/Adjudications Awards Announced!

MAP (Music Artistry Program) is an annual event that happens in Chapters like ours all around the country. It is primarily an educational event rather than a competition, where students can prepare and perform their selected repertoire, and celebrate their progress from year to year.

Our Visiting Artist this year was Dr. Yuna Roh from Washington State University. Her bio is below. She was absolutely fantastic, with practical and fun insights into how to make our pieces sound even better. She really enjoyed listening and working with all of our students - great job to all!

Dr. Roh selected awards to give to students:

Winners - selected to perform in the OMTA Honor Recital: Chloe and Anoova!

Alternates - 1st: Gracie! 2nd: Phoebe!

Honorable Mention: Alexander, Grant, and Landon!

Well done, everyone!

I will give you your comment sheets and the notes I took from Dr. Roh to give you next week.


BIO FOR DR ROH:

Acclaimed as “a pianist who lets her piano work do the talking, transporting her audience not only to a clearly defined place but also into a colorful adventure” (Hyde Park Herald), Yoon-Wha Roh has been acknowledged for her versatile and sophisticated performances. Roh has appeared as a celebrated soloist with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, New Jersey Garden State Orchestra, Korean Symphony Orchestra, Korean Philharmonic Orchestra, Seoul National Symphony Orchestra, Sungnam Philharmonic Orchestra, and New York Classical Symphony Orchestra. She has also been featured in Korean monthly music magazines, <Eumak Journal> and <The Piano>, for her orchestra performances and
interviews.

Roh has won awards and prizes from numerous competitions including, London International Music Competition, Clara Schumann International Competition, Manhattan International Music Competition, National Artists Competition, American Prize, International Moscow Music Competition, Carles and Sofia Piano Competition, Piano Texas Concerto Competition, and Hakata Fukuoka International Piano Competition among others.

Other notable performances have been presented at the Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, Lincoln Center Bruno Walter Auditorium, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, Seoul Arts Center, Aspen Harris Concert Hall, New York Steinway Hall, Jordan Hall, and Barnes Hall in Cornell University. She has appeared in major music festivals including Prague Music Performance, Aspen Music Festival, GMMFS, Piano Texas International Academy & Festival, Schlern International Music Festival, Banff Center, New Paltz International Summer Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and International Keyboard Institute & Festival. Her international appearances include performances in Prague, Italy, Spain, Brazil, and South Korea.

Active as a chamber musician, Roh has served as a pianist in several ensembles such as Anonim Trio, Palouse Trio, Selway Trio, Cipriani Trio, and Baltimore Trio. She is also active as a clinician and competition judge. She has served as a competition judge for Manhattan International Music Concours, East Coast International Competition, and New York International Music Concours among others. Roh has received Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition Award, New York State Assembly Certificate of Merit, New Jersey Senator Award, and Certificate of Achievement from the Mayor of New Jersey, Bergen County.

Roh holds Doctor of Music in Piano Performance and Literature, with minors in music theory and art administration from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She has earned Master of Music degree from New England Conservatory and Performance Diploma from Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. Roh currently teaches at Washington State University as Assistant Professor of Piano. Previously, she has taught at the University of Idaho, Towson University, Phillips Academy of Andover, and New England Conservatory of Music Preparatory School and Continuing Education. She is an active member of College Music Society and Music Teachers National Association.

Chocolate Fountain Group Class!

Group Performance Class March 2, included a chocolate fountain! We heard some amazing performances at the group lesson! Chopin Waltz in Ab, Chopin Minute Waltz, Chopin Fantasie Impromptu, Pletnev Pas de Deux, Vince Guaraldi’s Linus and Lucy, Mozart Sonata in F, Allegro.

We tried out BREATHING before playing - keep practicing this at home and see if it helps. Some other helpful practice techniques: Practice slowly with metronome! Hands Alone practice! Record yourself and play for an audience! Passagework - staccatos, accents, and rhythms! And of course make sure you are getting enough practice in. These techniques will help you perform your best!

WSMTA, MAP and Honor Recital Week!

Big week coming up!  Here are the three important dates/times.  I am so impressed with how hard everyone has been working to sound their best!  

Just a reminder that we have WSMTA Honor Recital Competition tomorrow, March 9 at St. Martins University.  There are two recital times, 12:30 and 1:45, and you are welcome to stay for one or both and invite friends and family.  Two winners will be chosen to represent Olympia at the State Conference Honor Recitals at the end of June.  Two Alternates and Honorable Mentions will be chosen as well.  Best wishes to all participants - everyone was sounding GREAT last Sunday!  
   12:30pm recital:  Landon, Alexander, Phoebe, Chloe
   1:45pm recital:  Grant, Gracie, Anoova

Monday, March 10 (same location) is our annual MAP/Adjudications!  Each student will perform 2 memorized pieces for our Visiting Artist, Dr. Yuna Roh from WSU.  Please bring your books with measured numbered, dress neatly, and come ready with a smile and any questions Dr. Roh can help you with!  After MAP, the Visiting Artists will choose students from each studio to perform at the local OMTA Honor Recital.

The OMTA Honor Recital will take place on Sunday, March 16 at Westwood Baptist Church.  Winners will be chosen from each studio.  The times will be announced later in the week, but will be around 1-4pm in the afternoon, in 2 or 3 recitals.  Good luck to everyone!  

See you all tomorrow, have fun with your music, and please remember the three B's we talked about in Performance Class (Bow, Bench, Breathe!)  Let me know if you have any questions!

Olympia Chamber Orchestra Concert, featuring Concerto Winners - Phoebe and Chloe!

Sunday, February 23 @ Capitol High School PAC

The Olympia Chamber Orchestra concert capped off an exciting weekend of music in town. The day before, hundreds of students from local high schools took part in the annual Solo & Ensemble Contest. Then Sunday afternoon, the concert of the winners of the OMTA Concerto Competition - featuring our own Phoebe and Chloe! The audience was delighted by the amazing music.

Following Cimarosa’s Overture to “The Secret Wedding”, Phoebe performed Hummel’s sparkling and vivacious 2nd Piano Concerto. After intermission, Chloe played Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue. Applause and cheers filled the auditorium as they took their bows and received flowers and scholarship checks from both the OCO and the OMTA. Congratulations to all the performers for a wonderful concert!

Phoebe performs Hummel’s Piano Concerto No. 2.

Chloe performs Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

Hannah's Visit

It’s always a special occasion to have former students drop by! Yesterday, Hannah stopped for a visit. Eight years ago, she graduated from our studio, after giving a wonderful senior recital, receiving the High School Diploma in Music from the American College of Musicians, along with earning the Paderewski Medal and a Guild Scholarship, among her other many accolades in academics and athletics! She is currently finishing her PhD in Physics at UW, working on some exciting laser technology (which is way over my head), enjoying her music along the way. Wishing our soon to be Dr. Rarick the best as she completes her degree!

January Piano Pals Revealed AND Bach Festival Medal Winners

PIANO PALS

For our January Group Performance Class, our annual composition project “Piano Pals” were revealed! The dedicatees were amazed and delighted with what their secret pals created! We even had a few first-time composers in our midst, and a great effort by all young composers.

BACH FESTIVAL MEDALS ARE HERE

Our Bach Festival participants received their medals in class as well: Gold to Chloe for WTC2! Silver to Landon for AMB book! Bronze to Phoebe for WTC1! Alexander received an Honorable Mention for his Inventions, and Grant an HM for Other Baroque Composers. Good job, everyone!

Barnes & Noble Holiday Play-a-thon on 12/7

Eight young students participated in the Play-a-thon at the local Olympia Barnes & Noble during the 10 o’clock hour. Grant, Alexander, Megan, Ellie, Eleanor, Linnea, Lilia, and Chloe performed music from the “Charlie Brown Christmas Album”, Christmas carols, and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, to the delight of the audience. It was a special treat to have two former students join us - Lilia and Megan are both graduates of our studio (and now recent college grads!) who performed beautifully, bringing back great memories. B&N graciously donated a portion of proceeds to OMTA’s student programs during the performances.

We have two more opportunities to share our Christmas, classic and jazz tunes with the community - both at Stonewell Senior Care on 12/13 and 12/19 @ 4pm. See you then!

Thanksgiving Update 2024

It's almost Thanksgiving, and I am so thankful for my wonderful piano students and families!  It is a great reward to be part of the musical life and growth of these amazing young people.  Everyone has been working very hard to finish several big events this fall, most notably the OMTA Concerto Competition, the Seattle Bach Competition, and the studio MASHAR Practice Challenge.  

Updates:

1.  Concerto Competition - EVERY student succeeded in playing so musically and playing their hearts out.  I am so proud of each, and they are all winners🎉!  Alexander won First Prize in the Intermediate B Division with his expressive "Blues Concerto".  Phoebe won First Prize in the Advanced A Division with her scintillating "Hummel Concerto No. 2".  Chloe won First Prize in the Advanced B Division with a stunning rendition of "Rhapsody in Blue".  Anoova won 2nd Prize with her dramatic Arensky Fantasia.  Grant and Landon performed beautifully.  CONGRATULATIONS!  The 2 Advanced Division (Phoebe and Chloe) will perform with orchestra on February 23rd.  Keep an eye out for updates, so we can all go and support them!  

2.  The Seattle Bach Competition results are in:  Landon won the Silver Medal in the 10-11 year (AMB) Category.  Grant received Honorable Mention in the 12-13 year (Baroque Composer) Category.  Alexander received Honorable Mention in the 12-13 year (multiple Invention) Category.  Phoebe won the Bronze Medal in the 14-18 (Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1) Category.  Chloe received the Gold Medal in the 14-18 (Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2) Category.  WAY TO GO!!!  We are so happy to see your hard work recognized 👏!  

3.  The last studio ("MASHAR") practice challenge was to inspire amazing technique practice, and it has been gratifying to see and hear fingers becoming stronger and fine motor skills being whipped into shape🤓!  Three students were able to complete it - Phoebe, Alex, and Landon.  Good job!  And Phoebe is the winner for turning in the most practice minutes @ 14 hours - hooray!  

Now we are off to the start of the holiday season!  We have 3 community Christmas performance opportunities on 12/7, 12/13 and 12/19.  Please see our website for more details @ www.lakesidepiano.com

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

Seattle Bach Competition Results!

The Seattle Bach Competition results are in!

Landon won the Silver Medalist in the 10-11 year (AMB) Category.

Grant received Honorable Mention in the 12-13 year (Baroque Composer) Category.

Alexander received Honorable Mention in the 12-13 year (multiple Invention) Category.

Phoebe won the Bronze Medal in the 14-18 (Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1) Category.

Chloe received the Gold Medal in the 14-18 (Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2) Category.

WAY TO GO!!! We are so happy to see your hard work recognized 👏!

Concerto Competition 2024 - Update!

The 25th Annual OMTA Concerto Competition took place on November 23 at the beautiful Gospel Outreach church. Students enjoyed playing on the brand new concert Spirio Steinway Grand! Our judges were Dr. Fabio Menchetti and Selina Chu. Our students performed in 4 of the 5 divisions.

Results:

Concerto Competition - EVERY student succeeded in playing so musically and playing their hearts out. I am so proud of each, and they are all winners🎉!

Alexander won First Prize in the Intermediate B Division with his expressive "Blues Concerto".

Phoebe won First Prize in the Advanced A Division with her scintillating "Hummel Concerto No. 2".

Chloe won First Prize in the Advanced B Division with a stunning rendition of "Rhapsody in Blue". Anoova won Second Prize with her powerful “Fantasia on Russian Themes” by Arensky.

Grant and Landon performed beautifully. CONGRATULATIONS! The 2 Advanced Division winners (our own Phoebe and Chloe!) will perform with orchestra on February 23rd. Keep an eye out for updates, so we can all go and support them!

October Master Lessons with Dr. Ronaldo Rolim of UPS

Master Lesson UPDATE: Dr. Ronaldo Rolim of UPS gave excellent Master Lessons to our students. And students all had a great opportunity to practice “performing” for an expert pedagogue and performer!

Here are some pieces of advice that came up several times.

  1. Every note matters! Give each note the attention it needs and deserves. Be crisp and clear!

  2. Bring out your character - clearly! Think of what instrument (piccolo? big band?) or personality (inviting? impulsive? insanity?) you want it to have. COMMUNICATE as a musician!

  3. Tell a compelling story, make it personal!

  4. Have a “Bird’s Eye View” of the entire piece. Don’t get stuck on minutiae, but tell each part with the whole story in mind.

    Thank you, Dr. Rolim!

*********************

Master Lessons with Dr. Rolim will be Saturday, Oct. 26. This is a great opportunity for feedback on your concerto and other repertoire. Location: Allen Studio

Schedule:

9: Alexander

9:40: Grant

10:25 Gracie

11:10 Landon

11:30: Pat

12:30: Lunch

1:15: Pat

2: Anoova

2:30: Phoebe

3:15: Hannah

4:15: Chloe

5:15pm: End!

Anoova's "KEYS TO CONNECTION" Project!

Started by two of our amazing students, check out Anoova and Simone’s amazing project - “KEYS TO CONNECTION”!

Keys To Connection is an intergenerational music program focused on reducing separation between facilities for older adults and the rest of the community by encouraging youth to play for the residents and build relationships with them. Since there are many who aren't able to get out and participate in the activities that bring them joy, the goal of this project is to bring that to them while also giving students a space to explore their passion for music. We emphasize how consistent music can promote community health and help build a social network.

Any questions? Please reach out to Anoova or Simone via the QR code! What a wonderful way to use your talents to better your community!

National Guild 2024 Update

National Guild - Congratulations! ALL students completed the NATIONAL level of 10 memorized pieces! And ALL students received a SUPERIOR OR SUPERIOR PLUS rating - HOORAY 🎉! So proud of everyone’s hard work and practice. Way to go!

Two students participated in their very FIRST National Level Guild: Simone and Gyu-Rim - Good Job!

Landon has reached his 5th year of National Level Auditions! As a result, he will be featured in the National Piano Guild Notes publication later this year. Students who reach 5 years and beyond receive a gold composer pin for all subsequent auditions as well.

We had some Perfect Scores this year! Josie, Gyu-Rim, and Chloe - Wow!

Sky has reached 7 National Guild Auditions for more than 70 memorized pieces and phases! Chloe has completed her 13th National Guild for more than 130 memorized pieces and phases! Both of these students have also presented International Level Guild Auditions: Sky received the highest scores nationwide in the Early Bach Medal; Chloe received the highest scores nationwide for the Advanced Bach Medal, and has also earned the International Sonata Plaque, Jazz Guild, and Founders Plaque!

Landon: IA

Gyu-Rim: IA

Simone: IA

Grant: IC

Alexander: IC

Sky: PD

Chloe: PD

Last National Guild Audition for Sky! She will be continuing to enjoy her music while pursuing an engineering degree at UW.

Sky Lin Senior Recital!

Congratulations to Sky - what a fantastic SENIOR RECITAL! Performing for an excited crowd of friends, students, teachers, conductors of SOGO, school counselors and teachers, Sky presented us all with a beautiful performance featuring both piano and cello, solo and duets. It was a gift to all of the audience to hear!

Sky is graduating from Olympia High School and has been accepted into the School of Engineering at the University of Washington!

Sky has been an OUTSTANDING student in our studio, receiving numerous prizes, accolades and commendations for her artistic work in the past seven years.  This includes her 7th year as a National Level scholar - performing over 70 memorized pieces; highest score nationwide for the Early Bach Medal; multiple performances at the OMTA Honor Recitals; prizewinner at the annual Concerto Competitions; and many performances for her school and community.  Sky is also an accomplished cellist, performing a solo with the SOGO orchestra last month.  In addition to her musical studies, Sky has been Student-Teaching for the past years, successfully preparing her own students for recitals and adjudications.  Last year, she received highest marks on the AP Music Theory Exam!  She is so inspiring with her talent, work ethic, creativity and compassionate heart.

We wish her all the best for this next stage in life, and we are so excited for her future!

Sky has been teaching Sam for the past several years!

Congratulations, Sky!

Sky has been a successful Student-Teacher for the past 5 years, teaching a solid foundation and preparing students for MAP and Recitals. She received a Scholarship-Grant from the OMTA for Student-Teachers, for the 3rd year in a row!

Justin Chung Senior Recital!

Justin performed a beautiful piano, harpsichord, and violin recital program for a large crowd of church, family, friends, and members of his tennis and swim teams. The superintendent of the Chehalis School District was even there to give him his diploma, Top Ten medal and Class Valedictorian trophy!

Justin has been an amazing member of our studio for the past several years.  He has earned accolades for his performances at Adjudications/MAP and was an encouraging, kind, humble, and INSPIRING presence in our Group Performance Classes. Not only a pianist, Justin is a capable violinist, frequently performing on both instruments at his church, as well as for school and community events.  In addition, Justin excels as a student-athlete, serving as captain and going to State multiple years in both Swim and Tennis.

Justin graduated this month as valedictorian of WF West High School, and also from Centralia College - Congratulations!  Justin received a full scholarship to Southern Adventist University where he will be studying Biology/Pre-Med.

End-Of-The-Year Notes!

We are already approaching the end of May!  It has been a wonderful year, and I have enjoyed fostering and seeing the musical progress of these talented and intelligent young people.  Here are end-of-year piano updates.

1.  Next week, May 28 (Tuesday at 4:30):  our last Group Performance Class of the year!  Students will have the chance to perform their recital and Guild Audition pieces.  Everyone has made huge strides in pianistic ability, repertoire, technique and theory!  There will be no private lessons this week unless previously arranged.  However, with the upcoming Guild Auditions, please let me know if you would like to schedule an extra lesson the week of May 28.  

2.  Sunday, June 2:  National Guild Auditions!  Here is the schedule, and more information is posted on our website.  Each of our students is performing a "NATIONAL" level program, which means 10 memorized pieces and technique - what a huge accomplishment!  I encourage all families to take time to celebrate this achievement ...maybe even with a small recital/party with family and friends!  
NATIONAL GUILD SCHEDULE, JUNE 2
9          Grant
9:35     Alexander
10:10        Sky
10:45   Gyu-Rim
11:15        BREAK
11:30   Josie
11:50   Chloe
12:50   LUNCH
1:50     Simone
2:20     Landon

3.  June 8, Saturday @ 3pm, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church:  Spring Studio Recital AND last day of Spring Quarter!  This will be a celebration of our piano year, with awards and refreshments served!  Bring family and friends, as it is free and open to the public.  

4.  Summer Lessons:  Those signing up for Concerto or Outstanding Artist Competition will need to sign up for a minimum of 3 summer lessons.  A separate email will be sent out about this topic.  

5.  Senior Celebrations:  Congratulations to Sky and Justin, our two amazing seniors - Class of 2024!  Justin has been in our studio for several years and is an accomplished young man in so many ways:  music, sports, academics, service to his community & church, etc, etc!  Justin will be attending Southern Adventist University (on full scholarship!).  He will be performing his Senior Recital on June 9th @ 3pm in Chehalis.  Sky has been in our studio for the past 7+ years and has earned many accolades as a talented pianist, cellist, Student-Teacher, leader and all-around amazing human being!  She will present her Senior Recital on June 15, and will be pursuing an Engineering degree at UW beginning this fall.

Please let me know if you have any questions, and let's end this piano year strong!  More info on summer lessons will be forthcoming.  

Noteworthy Music Performances this Spring!

There have been concerts GALORE this spring! Here are a few of note from our studio.

The April Teachers’ Recital was a great success! Funds were raised for Olympia area student programs - such as the annual Concerto Competition, Pop/Jazz Recital, Sonatina Fest, Music Literacy Program and more. This may become an annual event!

OHS put on “SpongeBob the Musical” and Simone was featured front and center with their musical and percussion skills. In the words of my companion, “that was really good”!

Sky’s SOGO performance was fabulous!

SOGO’s spring concert featured their 19 graduating seniors, including our own Sky. She beautifully performed Faure’s Elegie and melted the hearts of the audience!

Yuja Wang concert at Benaroya! She performed Messiaen, Debussy, Scriabin, and all four Chopin Ballades!

With students (current and former), we went to Benaroya to hear Yuja Wang, which included 7 (yes, seven) encores! The crowd couldn’t get enough. Four days later, Bruce Liu (winner of the 2021 International Chopin Competition) gave a stunningly cool recital of sonatas and music from the Classical to Modern and Jazz eras, ending with 5 encores! We are so lucky to be able to experience the music of these world-class artists! Very inspiring to see!

Bruce Liu performed Haydn’s B Minor Sonata, Chopin’s 2nd Sonata, and Prokofiev’s 7th Sonata. His Kapustin and Rameau were so beautiful!

May 25, 2024 - we got to see the “Piano Man” Billy Joel, at T-Mobile Park! At 75, he’s still got it!

Alexander, Grant, Landon, and Daniel perform at the AMERICA 250! Exhibit

April 14 at the historic Schmidt House, Alexander, Grant, Landon, and Daniel (along with their teachers), performed for the “America 250!” Exhibit, put on by the Daughters of the American Revolution. This was a special invitation for OMTA members and students. Students performed classical, ragtime, jazz, blues, solo and duet music to an appreciative audience! Representatives in full period costumes were happy to give tours and information about the time period around the American Revolution. Everyone played so well and enjoyed some popping-candy infused chocolate afterwards!

What a beautiful day to perform at the historic Schmidt House, built in 1904 for the founders of the Olympia Brewing Company. The students got to pose with representatives in full authentic costumes.

Grant performed “River City Blues” by Martha Pier, Burgmuller’s “L’adieu”, and “Fur Elise” on this 5’7” parlor Steinway Grand. What a great view out the window!

Alexander played Joplin’s Cascades Rag, “Haydn' Sonata in G”, and Bach Invention #4 - these fun tunes all may have been performed at this home back when the original owners lived here!

Landon played some Beatles and Bach’s Musette in D, followed by duets with Daniel - Pink Panther and Diabelli’s Scherzo!