It has been quite a year! No one imagined that things could turn out as they have. Nonetheless, we are immensely grateful that many arts organizations have pressed on in spite of the pandemic, offering a variety of virtual events. We are so proud of our students who have also pressed ahead in spite of these difficult circumstances! You continually show yourselves to be among the very best, and we are so thankful for you!
Here are some recents competitions events and performances:
Firstly, Ella Tran gave a wonderful performance of the Beethoven Triple Concerto along side Lindsey Kim (violin) and Marlon Florez (cello), with the Arlington, Garland and Las Colinas Symphony Orchestras.
We also congratulation Regina Lin and Ashley Tauhert who gave Rising Star recitals as a part of the 2020 Basically Beethoven Festival-in-Place. Also featured was studio alumnus Kyle Orth. Soon to be Dr. Orth (he is ABD for his DMA at New England Conservatory) will also be competing in the Honens International Competition in Canada and the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium.
David D Dubois Competition at Bowling Green State University
Shiv Yajnik received first prize winner of this highly competitive competition.
MTNA 2020 - 2021
Shiv Yajnik was the sole winner of Senior Piano for Texas and also the South Central division, and will represent us all at Nationals!
David Choi was the sole winner of Junior Piano for Texas and also the South Central division, and will likewise represent us at National!
We also congratulation Regina Lin, who was the alternate for Senior Piano. Well done, everyone!
In addition, one of our teachers, Alex McDonald, will give an hour long presentation at the national virtual conference on the topic of transfer students; other presenters for this topic include Veda Kaplinsky (Juilliard) and Marina Lomazov (Eastman).
Lewisville Lake Symphony Competition
David Choi was the first prize winner of the junior division (all instruments) for his beautiful performance of Mozart’s concerto in A, K 488.
2020 Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition
David Choi was the first prize winner for the Young Stars Division; second prize went to Mana Asaka, and Honorable Mention went to Emma Oba.
2020 Piano Star International Competition
Regina Lin was the 3rd prize winner in Professional Group III.
Radda Rise International Piano Competition
Benjamin LeSuer was the 2nd prize winner of the Category 1 division.
Dallas Piano Solo Competition
Many students did quite well in this competitive local event; out of 18 divisions, our students took home 9 first place trophies, winning half of the available divisions!
Division IA - Irene Lee (2nd prize)
Division IB - Ethan Guo (Honorable Mention)
Division II - Jenna Tran (first prize)
Division IIIA - Kaz Oba (finalist)
Division IIIB - Kiana Sharp (1st prize)
Division IIIB - Dylan Bao (honorable mention)
Division VA - Mana Asaka (1st prize)
Division VB - Lucas Pei (first prize)
Division VB - Oliver Chen (2nd prize)
Division VIA - Christine Choi (2nd prize)
Division VIA - Tae Han (honorable mention)
Division VIB - Joanna Jia (1st prize)
Division VIB - Emma Oba (3rd prize)
Division VIIA - Jennifer Lee (honorable mention)
Division VIIB - Michelle Cheng (1st prize)
Division VIIIA - Julia Wang (1stprize)
Division VIIIB - Jason Lu (1st prize)
Division VIIIB - Cameron Chin (3rd prize)
Division IX - Kyle Cornelison (1st prize)
Division IX - Patrick Du (2nd prize)
Division IX - Benjamin Aleman (honorable mention)
Division X - David Choi (3rd prize)
Division X - Connor Chin (4th prize)
Dallas Symphonic Festival
Again, students did a simply outstanding job, winning 7 of the possible 16 division, including sweeping all 5 concerto divisions. Here is the full list of how everyone did:
Elementary I Concerto - Benjamin LeSuer (1st prize)
Elementary II Concerto - Kiana Sharp (1st prize)
Elementary II Concerto - Kaz Oba (3rd prize)
Intermediate Concerto - Tony Lu (1st prize)
Junior Concerto - Julia Want (1st prize)
Senior Concerto - Regina Lin (1st prize)
Senior Concerto - Sydney Levey (2nd prize)
Senior Concerto - Pranay Varada (6th prize)
Elementary IIA Sonata - Dylan Bao (honorable mention)
Elementary IIB Sonata - Lucas Pei (1st prize)
Elementary IIB Sonata - Eugene Wang (3rd prize)
Elementary IIB Sonata - Jenna Tran (6th prize)
Intermediate A Sonata - Oliver Chen (3rd prize)
Intermediate B Sonata - David Choi (1st prize)
Intermediate B Sonata - Christine Choi (2nd prize)
Intermediate C Sonata - Tae Han (3rd prize)
Intermediate C sonata - Joanna Jia (6th prize)
Junior A Sonata - Benjamin Aleman (3rd prize)
Junior A Sonata - Jennifer Lee (4th prize)
Junior A Sonata - Lupe Oloyede (6th prize)
Junior B Sonata - Jason Lu (2nd prize)
Junior B Sonata - Michelle Cheng (6th prize)
Senior Sonata - Patrick Du (honorable mention)
Also, big congratulations to our Viola Students!
Elementary II Concerto - Catherine Choi (2nd prize)
Junior Sonata - Michelle Howang (1st prize)
Baylor/Waco Competition
Division III Solo - Christine Choi (1st prize)
Division III Solo - Tae Han (honorable mention)
Division III Solo - Emma Oba (honorable mention)
Division 1 Solo - Vrinda Varada (honorable mention)
Division I Concerto - Ella Tran (2nd prize)
Division I Concerto - Pranay Varada (honorable mention)
Division I Concerto - Julia Wang (honorable mention)