Piano Notes – Studio Newsletter January 2015
Happy New Year
Happy 2015! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! I just returned from overseas and had a great vacation with my family in New Zealand. Our end-of-year Holiday Recital was a great success, and all the students played so well. Here is the group picture:
Congratulations
I have a wonderful news to share with you all. I found out about the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program Video Competition a few weeks before our holiday recital, and have asked 7 students to participate so far, they are:
Preparatory A – Riley Neal
Preparatory B – Adysen Chung
Level 1 – Cameron Chang
Level 3 – Katherine Shepherd
Level 4 – Charys Hong
Level 6 – Rachel Hong
Level 7 – Ron Lycan
Each of the students had to learn and memorize a new piece from the RCM’s new exam syllabus that is to be launched in March 2015. They each had only one-two weeks to learn, memorize, and record the piece. I am so proud to announce that ALL SEVEN of our students who have participated so far have been selected as finalists for the competition! You can view their performances on YouTube. I am always on the lookout for opportunities for our students. Sometimes we get very little notice for these events, but they teach us to learn quickly and make the most of our potential. Congratulations to all the students!
The RCM is quickly becoming recognized as the premier exam system in the United States. If you are interested in doing this exam, email me!
January Schedule
Jan 10 – I will be playing lots of chamber music at the Inland Valley Symphony Concert at Grace Presbyterian Church. The Concert starts at 2pm. Program includes music for oboe and piano, voice and piano, flute and piano, and lots more!
Jan 17 – I will be playing more chamber music at the Inland Valley Symphony Library Recital at Grace Mellman Library. The Concert starts at 2pm.
Jan 27 – Our studio has been invited by Temecula City Council to present a recital program to celebrate Mozart’s birthday. Details to follow!
Student of the Month – Cameron Chang
Cameron Chang is 7 years old and was born in Temecula, CA. He has always enjoyed all genre of music and always played with musical toy instruments. He started his musical journey playing the piano at 6 years of age. He has accomplished many skills at his young age. One of his accomplishments is receiving his 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do by the Kukkiwon World Tae Kwon Do Federation this past November. He is currently continuing this discipline to achieve his 2nd degree black belt. He looks forward to going to church every Saturday and tries to keep God first. He enjoys playing Pokemón on his Nintendo DS and taking care of his dog Snuggles. Sports is also a big part of his life. He can ski down black diamonds, loves to play soccer, flag football, watching football, and swimming. He also enjoys building legos and reading. He shows an interest in playing the violin and wants to start snowboarding.
Teacher Comment: Cameron has shown rapid progress since starting piano a year and half ago. He has participated in National Piano Guild Audition (Superior rating), MTAC Sonatina/Sonata Festival (Trophy), and most recently the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program Video Competition, for which he was selected as a finalist. Cameron has a very high standard for himself and always comes to his lessons very well prepared. He is truly a model student! He will participate in many more programs this year, including Certificate of Merit, Bach Festival, Temecula Spring Music Festival, Temecula Young Artist Competition, and I look forward to helping him progress even more!
