This article will appear in the National Guild Magazine in the upcoming months. I will repost after publication!
Allen Studio Presents National Winners
Sixteen young pianists from the studio of Dr. Ramona Allen (Olympia, WA) performed a recital for a welcoming and appreciative local senior center. The students also performed National-level Guild Auditions the week prior with Judge Preta Laughlin, passing with Superior and Superior Plus ratings.
Special mention goes to three 5-Year National Winners. They are: Gavin Skoog, a 6thgrader, who along with his piano skills, is a clarinetist and saxophonist and has a black belt in taekwondo. Isabella Shields, a 7thgrader, enjoys creative wordsmith-ery and is known for her compositional talent and ideas. Chloe Song is accomplished in both piano and violin, and has won many awards in the past 3 years. She has also challenged herself by doing two National auditions per year for the past three years, also earning the Sonatina Plaque (15 movements) this year!
Lilia Allen, a junior, finished her 10thyear as a National Winner, earning the High School Diploma from the American College of Musicians with a 90 minute exam, and also earning the Paderewski Medal. In addition to her musical activities, she is a competitive gymnast, an honors student, and a big sister to three siblings, with a special interest in foreign languages, calligraphy…and chocolate! She has been honored to perform twice with a local orchestra, playing concerti by Mendelssohn and Shostakovich. She has appreciated the musical opportunities and challenges provided by the ACM.