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!

OMTA Honor Recitals 2024

Congrats to Anoova and Chloe for performing as winners of the OMTA Honor Recital! Our two alternates were Landon and Alexander. Honorable Mention goes to Gyu-Rim and Simone!

The Honor Recitals took place at Westwood Baptist, a 1:45 and 2:30 program, with amazing performances!

Chloe and Anoova - winners of the OMTA Honors Competition AND the WSMTA State Honor Recital Competition! Chloe performed Chopin’s 3rd Sonata, 4th movement; Anoova performed Scriabin’s Deux Poemes, Op. 32. Congratulations!


MAP, WSMTA, Composition Contest Updates!

MAP Week is finished, and everyone worked hard to prepare and did a great job! I applaud all the students (and student-teachers) for their hours of focus and practice👏. You should all be so proud of yourselves. Thank you also to the parents who are always there for encouragement and support! Dr. Menchetti and Dr. Manalac had helpful suggestions and comments for students, and also many compliments for the beautiful playing.

The Visiting Artists selected a few of our students for honors. Congratulations!

OMTA Honors Recital Winners: Chloe (Chopin Sonata) and Anoova (Scriabin Deux Poèmes)!

OMTA Honors Recital Alternates: Landon and Alexander!

Honorable Mention: Gyu-Rim and Simone!

The OMTA Honors Recital will be this Sunday at Westwood Baptist Church @ 1:45 and 2:30pm. It is free and open to the public, so if you are able, please come and hear these talented young pianists, as it is always a fabulous performance! FYI, Chloe and Anoova will perform at the 1:45 recital.

WSMTA Honors Recital Competition Results: Chloe and Anoova are the two prize winners from our chapter 🎉! Winners go on to the State Conference to perform there (last year, Alexander was the representative from our chapter)!

Composition Contest: we entered our Piano Pal compositions into a Composition Contest, and the results are in!

1st place: Alexander "Panda Rag"

2nd place: Gyu-Rim "Autumn Rainfall"

3rd place: Chloe "Un-Original Rag"

Honorable Mention: Grant "Sailing"

Congratulations!

Grant performed Chopin’s Polonaise in G# Minor, a showy and technical piece composed by Chopin as a young teenager!

Alexander is a huge Scott Joplin fan - he performed The Cascades Rag!

Piectzonka’s Tarantella was performed energetically by Gyu-Rim’s fast fingers!

Competitors of the first group - Congrats to. the winner, Chloe!

Competitors of the second group - congrats to our other chapter winner, Anoova!

Dr. Gabriel Mañalac works with Linnea. Dr. Fabio Menchetti was our other wonderful VA.

Music Artistry Program 2024

Our annual Music Artistry Program (MAP)!

Place: St. Martins University, Fine Arts Bldg

Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Time: 1:30 to 5:30pm

Visiting Artists: Dr. Fabio Menchetti from WSU (and Dr. Gabriel Manalac from Whatcom)

Schedule for Tuesday, March 5, 2024:

1:35 Alexander
2:15 Gyu-Rim
2:45 Landon
3:15 Simone

3:25 Anoova
4:00 Sky
4:35 Justin
5:05 O.C.

Schedule for Sunday, March 3:

3:45-4:15. Student Teacher Chloe and Students

4:15: Grant

4:55: Chloe

Schedule for Monday, March 4:

5:20-5:40. Student Teacher Sky and Students

Winter Master Lesson Schedule is posted!

Winter Master Lessons will take place Feb. 10-11, 2024!

I'm excited you can have this opportunity to take a Master Lesson with Dr. Ronaldo Rolim of University of Puget Sound! Here is our schedule, and note that there are 3 different locations:

Saturday, Feb. 10 (at Bowman Studio - 1826 Allegro Drive SE, Olympia)

10:30: Grant (Chopin Polonaise & Handel Chaconne)

11:30: Sky (Chopin Nocturne/Copland?)

Saturday, Feb. 10 (at Allen Studio - 2021 Lakewood Dr SE))

1:00: Landon (Bach & Pachelbel)

1:30: Gyu-Rim (Pietzonka & Scarlatti)

2:15: Anoova (Mozart & Scriabin/Babadjanian?)

3:00: Simone (Chopin Nocturn & Tango)

3:45: Chloe (Chopin Sonata & Beethoven Tempest)

Sunday, Feb. 11 (at Morse Studio - 6443 Tralee Dr NW Olympia WA)

9-9:45: Alexander (Joplin & Bach)

Please confirm with me that this time works for you. Let me know if you have any questions - I think this will be a great and energizing performance experience!

Last Piano Email of 2023!

Congratulations to all of our students who provided holiday, jazz, and classical tunes to our community the past two weekends - everyone played so well and the audiences (Christmas Forest, Barnes & Noble, Stonewell Senior) really enjoyed it! Thank you for being part of the musical culture of Olympia!

"12- DAYS" PRACTICE CHALLENGE

This week is the last week of lessons for 2023 - phew! Lessons will resume on Jan. 8. Please note that our break is longer than usual. SOOOO, we are going to have a "TWELVE DAYS OF WINTER BREAK" practice challenge! I'll be passing out the challenge at lessons this week. Prizes for the top 3 practicers!

MAP REGISTRATION, MASTER LESSONS, AND GUILD!

FYI, I will be registering all students in the annual Music Artistry Program (MAP/Adjudications) in January. Please let me know ASAP if you do NOT want your student to participate, and make sure you have sent in the registration fee (this was in the last billing email.

Secondly, Dr. Ronaldo Rolim will be coming to Olympia for Master Lessons Feb. 10-11! Please let me know right away if you are interested in working with him - he is fantastic! 30, 45, and 60 min. slots are available.

And lastly, National Guild will be in early June, but we will be registering in February, so keep a look out for more information and let me know if you have any questions.

It's been a tremendous 3.5 months since Fall Lessons began. I am so proud of all of the students for their hard work, progress, and dedication. Happiest of Holidays to all of you and your families!

Concerto Competition 2023 - Update!

Six sensational students represented our studio at the 24th Annual OMTA Concerto Competition the weekend before Thanksgiving. Taking place on stage at the beautiful auditorium of Gospel Outreach Church, students performed on a concert Steinway grand piano. The competition was fierce this year, making the decisions by judges Dr. Oksana Ejokina and Dr. Ricardo de la Torre very tough. The judges made it clear that all students participating were outstanding, and they were sorry not to be able to award more performers.

From our studio, all students received very high marks.

Elementary: Landon A (Mier Concerto in Classical Style) - 2ND PRIZE!

Intermediate A: Alexander M (Rollin Concerto Romantique) - 2ND PRIZE!

Intermediate B: Grant W (Miller Concerto in Am - 3rd) - HON. MENTION! Gyu-Rim B (Rahbee “Peasant” Concerto) - HON. MENTION! Simone M. (Miller Concerto - 2nd) - Excellent Performance!

Advanced B: Anoova S (Mendelssohn Gm - 3rd) - 3RD PRIZE!

We applaud all of you for your hard work and your beautiful music - CONGRATULATIONS!