WSMTA State Conference...with Phoebe and Alex!

The 2026 WSMTA State Conference took place at Central WA University in Ellensburg. Over the course of 3 days, June 27-29, teachers were inspired by presentations, recitals, and by meeting old & new friends. Student winners were honored in recitals of performance and composition. Most of all, we heard amazing music, from classics by old masters to brand-new compositions.

In the first State Honor Recital, Phoebe represented Olympia with a wonderful performance of Chopin’s Scherzo in C# minor. The quality of playing was very high and so exciting for all to hear!

A new session for composition was premiered at this conference, and Alex was one of 3 students chosen from Washington to compose a work for piano and cello (the Bardin-Niskala Duo were the conference artists). His “Nocturne in C Minor” was performed for the first time, and given excellent and helpful feedback!

Every person who has taken part in music lessons and musical groups is a better person for doing so - I’m thankful for this profession! A quote from Martha Graham: “There is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost.”

Phoebe's High School Diploma Delivered!

National Guild HQ delivered Phoebe’s official High School Diploma - here is our well-deserving graduate! Kudos on a remarkable achievement, and BEST WISHES in college!

Summer Music Ideas!

Seven summer music ideas, plus 1 bonus:
1.  go to concerts!
2.  make a recording/video of all of your pieces from Guild!
3.  compose a piece!  Record or illustrate it!
4.  orchestrate an old or new piece, using notation software!
5.  play for your family and community!
6.  learn a concerto movement, or learn a new favorite piece (sign up for summer lessons, if you haven't already done so)!
7.  sight read through a book or two that you already have, or a new book (I have suggestions!)!

8. Take one of your old pieces, and reharmonize the melody (your music theory and analysis would serve you well!). Or take the harmony/accompaniment, and rework the melody in your own style.

Fabulous Spring Recital and Senior Spotlight!

So proud of these students! They have spent many hours practicing and honing their skills and fingers! They have taken part in numerous educational, competitive, and community events, spreading joy and music throughout the region through: recitals (Pop/Jazz/Duet, Baroque, Christmas, etc), school performances and talent shows, master classes, community service, graduations, bringing cheer to seniors, Music Adjudications (MAP), and the rigorous National Guild Auditions. Every student also composed at least one original composition this year. They are in a word, INCREDIBLE!

Our SENIOR SPOTLIGHT is on our wonderful PHOEBE! She has been such an inspiration and positive force in the studio. Always kind, humble, sweet, yet having such purpose and determination. She has been a winner of the OMTA Concerto Competition for two years in a row, performing multiple times with orchestras. She also won the State Honor Recital competition and earned a spot to perform her Chopin Scherzo at the WSMTA State Conference later this month. Phoebe just completed her 7th National (and International) Guild Audition, earning her High School Diploma in Music from the American College of Musicians, which is a 90 minute, demanding diploma audition of advanced level music - congratulations! This also means she has performed over 70 pieces for a judge memorized!

In addition, Phoebe is an accomplished violinist and was honored to be voted by her school orchestra peers as the top senior musician. She has been a student-teacher for a couple years, earned an additional scholarship just last week from an Olympia women’s organization, and has been accepted to Seattle University for the Fall! CONGRATULATIONS - we are so proud of you! You will be missed greatly, and we can’t wait to see what your future holds!

Phoebe was asked to give ADVICE to the younger students - her words were truly insightful. She said when she was younger, that it often felt like winning was the all-important goal; but when things didn’t go her way and she didn’t win a prize, those times actually became the experiences where she learned the most. Wow, I love this message! You either win or you learn.

National Guild 2026 Concluded!

National Guild Auditions 2026 are successfully concluded!

Taking place at St. Martins University on May 31, it was an all-day affair with students performing District (5-7 pc), National (10 pc), and International (15 pc) programs.

Our judge, Judy Ebel from Vancouver, gave our students high marks - all Superior or Superior Plus! I’m proud of everyone for taking on such a big challenge and working hard to achieve something so challenging.

Phoebe, a senior at OHS, performed an International Level, 15-piece program, receiving top scores and commendations from the judge regarding her artistic performance and attention to details! The program she played included: Bach Prelude & Fugue in C Minor (WTC 1), Mozart Sonata in F, Chopin’s Scherzo #3 and Fantasie-Impromptu, Debussy’s Clair de Lune, Moskowski’s Concerto in E Major - 4th movement, and Gershwin’s Novelette in Fourths. Such an amazing and high level recital!

All students were scored as “Superior” or “Superior Plus” levels, which are the highest two levels. Congratulations!

I hope many of you have the chance to share your music this summer - perform for family and friends! Play at a senior home, at school, churches, and community events! Make a recording of your pieces while they are fresh, and save the memory of this accomplishment!

Phoebe’s 15 piece International Level Program:

Bach Prelude & Fugue in Cm, WTC1

Mozart Sonata No. 2: 3 movements

Chopin Fantasie-Impromptu

Chopin Scherzo No. 3 in C# Minor

Debussy Clair de Lune

Moskowski Piano Concerto No. 2 in E Major, 4th movement

Gershwin Novelette in 4ths

Scales, Cadences, Arpeggios, Transposition, and Sight Reading

Summer Lessons - Schedule Available!

Here are the weeks that summer lessons are available, on an a la carte basis. All students interested in taking part in the November OMTA Concerto Competition must sign up for 4 lessons minimum. It's hard to believe the school year is quickly coming to a close and National Guild will soon behind us. It'll be fun to start on some new, fresh music!

June 9 or 10

June 23 or 24

July 7 or 8

July 21 or 22

Aug. 11 or 12

Aug. 18 or 19

Fall lessons resume the week of September 9!

Presentation on the Art of Practice!

Your teacher gave a presentation on “The Art of Practice” at a music teachers’ meeting, speaking on many of the practice techniques we’ve discussed in lessons!

Here are some tidbits that you may recognize:

Practice = Brain Training (which “pathway” are you making in your brain?)
The 80/20 Rule and “Red Light” sections of your piece (start here first, not at the beginning!)

Give your brain “micro breaks”. For example, be able to play correctly 3x “in a row” + 15 second break + 3x!

Or try dividing your practice - play right before bed and right after you wake up, for better learning and retention.

Vary your practice - ie. do rhythms, hands alone, ghost one hand, sing one part, play without pedal, do all staccatos or accents, play very slowly with metronome, play in 3 different moods, play in the style of 3 different famous pianists (Seong-jin Cho, Lang Lang, Hiromi are three we’ve gone to see this year, with all very different styles!)

You can find more tips on your practice sheets!

“Never mistake mere activity for accomplishment” - John Wooden, a great quote! Practicing with intention will make you progress.

Such a fun and great topic!

More May Events! Hiromi at the Moore Theatre

Hiromi is on her SONIC WONDER tour and came to Seattle (Moore Theatre) on May 7, 2026! An electrifying force in contemporary jazz, this jazz phenom held the audience spellbound with her high-energy style and unique writing for each of the instruments - piano (or actually 3 keyboards!), trumpet (Adam O’Farrill), drums (Gene Coye), and bass (Hadrien Feraud). She was classically trained, raised on the Chopin & Rachmaninoff Etudes and such, and has a truly dizzying technique. Great show!

May Events - Pop/Jazz/Duet Recital & Music Literacy Program

Alex and Landon participated in the annual MLP (Music Literacy Program), where they were tested on their written music theory knowledge, technique, and rhythm. Congratulations to you both for receiving very high marks! Alex took part in Level 9, and Landon took part in Level 4 and 5.

At 12:30, Alex and Landon, along with Claire, Grant, and Seiya, performed at the 3rd Pop/Jazz/Duet recital, a fun and casual event. Claire performed “Jazzy Moves”, Grant played Sowash’s “Math Whiz”, Alex got us all tapping our feet with “Tango callejero”, and Landon and Seiya played Robert Vandall’s “Viva Vivaldi”, a contemporary take on a Baroque master! Everyone got the option to celebrate their accomplishments with a soda POP!

Phoebe performs at District IV Honor Recital

A Winner of the WSMTA Honor Recital Competition, Phoebe not only gets to perform at the State Conference in June for all the music teachers around the state, but she also performed her Chopin Scherzo for the District IV Recital at Immanuel Lutheran in Chehalis on May 3. Winners from 6 regional chapters played some amazing music for a very enjoyable afternoon. Congratulations!

Alex selected for State Conference "Work In Progress" Composition!

Alex was just selected as one of 2 students whose composition will be performed and analyzed by the WSMTA 2026 State Conference artists An-Lin Bardin, cellist, and Naomi Niskala, pianist. Congratulations for this exciting opportunity. Updates will follow!

Stonewell Senior Residents LOVE our students!

Thanks to all the students who have shared their talents with the lovely senior residents of Stonewell Senior Care! They are so appreciative and have expressed it many times. Landon & Seiya enjoyed performing with piano 2 and 4 hands, flute and trumpet. Recently, Phoebe brought her quartet to perform, an extra special treat! Alex is a “regular” on the schedule, having performed for them over a dozen times in the past year, and they and their families are huge fans of his!

Here’s a partial list of students who have performed there this school year: Alex, Landon, Phoebe, Gracie, Seiya, Chloe, Anoova, Max, Hannah, Sebastien, Sophie, Linnea.

Phoebe earns $200 award from OMTA!

The Olympia Music Teachers’ Association awarded Phoebe a $200 award for her win the WSMTA Honor Recital Competition. She will represent Olympia at the annual State Conference with a performance at one of the Honor Recitals, playing Chopin’s Scherzo in C# minor. So proud of you!

Congratulations to Phoebe & Alex as they take on the WSMTA Competition!

Every year, MAP students are eligible to compete for the WSMTA Conference Honor Recitals. The winners get to play this summer at the State Conference for all the teachers in the state! The competition is fierce, and this year’s competition was full of excellent performances. We did not envy the 2 judges: Judith Cohen and Lark Powers.

Alex played Handel’s “Harmonious Blacksmith Air & Variations” and Phoebe played Chopin’s “Scherzo #3 in C# Minor”. Well done to both of you!

CONGRATULATIONS to Phoebe who is the winner and will play at the Honor Recital in June!

Chloe receives Two Guild Scholarships! See photos below!

This past June, Chloe performed her High School Diploma Audition (see below) and earned not only her Diploma, but also the Paderewski Medal. In addition, she earned TWO Guild Scholarships - the first was for completing 10+ years of National Level Auditions. The second was a bit of a surprise! It is awarded to the “Top 5” audition scores from all Diploma students in the country, so we didn’t know about that one until just recently. Congratulations! Chloe is now finishing her freshman year as a Music Major at UW!

Here is our cover girl Chloe on the front of the Piano Guild Notes Spring 2026 edition. The students featured received the “Top 5” Scholarship for receiving top marks in the country for their National Level Auditions in the past 10 years!

Lang Lang returns to Seattle!

Lang Lang returned to Seattle for a recital of Mozart, Beethoven, Albeniz, Granados, and Liszt on March 20 - it was a sold-out crowd of enthusiastic fans. He received a standing ovation even before playing a note, and a number of young fans were seen with bouquets to offer the superstar pianist. What a program! My favorite was the Beethoven #31, although the whole program was an experience to remember. He played two encores, one from LaLa Land, and the other that was not familiar to me. Comments from our group: “unreal!” “magical", “so expressive”, “consummate musician”, “complete mastery!” “he makes everything look easy”! We were all so inspired, we had to go celebrate with ice cream afterwards!

Music Artistry Program 2026 is Successfully Concluded!

MAP 2026 took place March 11-13, 2026 at St. Martins University. Our two Visiting Artists were Dr. Jensina Oliver and Carissa Pitkin-Cox. Both were wonderful to work with and they had many compliments and great suggestions for each of our students. Congratulations to everyone for preparing so well your 2 memorized pieces!

Dr. Oliver chose Alex and Phoebe as Winners and Landon as Alternate. Carissa Cox selected Shaylan as Winner and Grant as Alternate. Great job on your performances!

MAP concluded with the Recognition Recital, featuring the winners of each studio. This year we had 16 studios and 111 students participating!

Senate Resolution 8698 - Honoring Piano Teachers

Senate Resolution to Recognize the Contribution of Piano Teachers to the Music Education of Washington State.

On February 27, 2026, I participated in the signing of Senate Resolution 8698, honoring the role of piano teachers, brought to the Senate floor by Senator Conway of Tacoma. We were filled with gratitude to meet the Senator and to hear from the other legislators about the benefits of their own piano lessons and those of their families! Here are some photos to enjoy!

Your teacher here with the senator and WSMTA officials at the Capitol!

It has been a successful legislative session for the arts and music education community. All legislators, regardless of their party affiliation, supported the efforts to exempt art and music education, even if they might have voted against the Millionaire Tax bill. (There were also bipartisan contingency plans from both the House (HB 2257) and Senate (SB 6351) to save the arts and music education should the Millionaire Tax bill fail.) Legislative staff also kept eyes out for us. (There are quite a few singers among the legislative staff!)

The full Resolution will be posted here soon!

This is Senator Conway. His mother was a piano teacher for over 50 years, and his son is also. He has fond memories of listening to hours of music lessons during his childhood.

2026 OMTA Baroque Recitals

The Olympia Music Teachers Association hosted the 2026 OMTA Baroque Recitals on the morning Feb. 28. Featuring about 60 young local pianists, they performed compositions from the 17th and 18th centuries from iconic composers such Bach, Handel, Pachelbel, Scarlatti, Praetorius, and Telemann.

Alex performed Handel’s “Harmonious Blacksmith” Air and Variations, a dazzling show of virtuosity.

Rye played Praetorius’s German Dance, a piece composed for harpsichord or organ, demonstrating the terraced dynamics of the Baroque Period.

Landon played the classic Minuet in G from the Anna Magdalena Notebook, and then gave it a twist with a jazz version of the same piece.

Congratulations to all three of you!