Monday, April 1, 2024 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations on Noa Herzog who received Third Place in the Junior Composers Competition, sponsored by the Virginia Federation of Music Clubs (VFMC). 

Thursday, March 14, 2024 | Student Awards and Honors

As part of the annual NFMC Spring Festival, Springfield Music Club (SMC) hosted noted area pianist Miriam Teie for an all-day masterclass. Three students from our studio stepped up to learn with Dr. Teie. 

Timothy Chen (Sonatina in a minor, Benda)

Courtney Nguyễn (The Storm, Burgmuller)

Isabel Yao (Sonatina in G Major (Romanze), Beethoven)

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to Adrian Jeon, who performed in the RCM Celebration of Excellence (Southeast Region) on March 9th 2024.

Adrian was selected for this honor based on his top score on his RCM Exam during the 2022-23 school year. 

He traveled to the University of South Florida (Tampa) for this honors recital along with about 30 other honored students from around the southeast U.S. 

Monday, March 11, 2024 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to the students who participated in NFMC Festival on March 8th and 9th. This non-competitive nationwide event is hosted locally by Springfield Music Club. Students present two pieces from memory and receive commentary and a rating from two judges.  The following students earned the top rating of "Superior". 

Juliet Barrett ♪ Emily Belle ♪ Timothy Chen ♪ Graham Halvaksz ♪ Noa Herzog ♪ Eoin Hore ♪ Liam Horgan ♪ Owen Horgan ♪ Helena Horowitz ♪ Liam Jewell ♪ Mingun Kim ♪ Ryo Lee ♪ Jacob Liu ♪ Brooklyn Lyon ♪ Caeli McIntosh ♪ Katherine Moon ♪ Emma Moon ♪ Keshavan Nair ♪ Courtney Nguyen ♪ Eleanor Nguyen ♪ Gizem Onerci ♪ Priya Perakam ♪ Eliana Rougle ♪ Anne Severino ♪ Joseph Severino ♪ Lucia Severino ♪ Karthik Thyagarajan ♪ Elena Valdez-Torres ♪ Adele Vassilopoulos ♪ Anastasia Vassilopoulos ♪ Aruni Veluri ♪ Ethan Williams ♪ Isabel Yao

and

Ellia Downer (Piano Solo & Piano Concerto!)

Monday, March 4, 2024 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to the following students who earned honors in The Golden Key Music Festival, 2024. In this video-audition event, students receive comments from a qualified adjudicator and have the opportunity to be selected for awards. 

GOLD: Timmy Chen & James Yao

SUPER BRONZE: Piya Perakam & Aruni Veluri

Monday, February 26, 2024 | Student Awards and Honors

On Saturday February 24, 2024, we hosted longtime area master teacher Dr. Yoshinori Hosaka for a "mini" master class in our studio. Congratulations to the students who stepped up and performed in this challenging environment! 

Leah (Prelude in f minor, WTC 2, J.S. Bach)

Jacob (Sonatina in F Major [#2], Beethoven)

Priya (Sonata in c minor, Pescetti)

James (In the Evening, Hoffman)

Aruni (The Prophetic Bird [from Forest Scenes], Schumann)

Kavya (Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum, Debussy)

Monday, February 19, 2024 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to Ethan Chen and Ryan Chen who earned the top rating of Superior at Bach/Baroque Festival, an annual event sponsored by Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association. Students presented two Baroque-era (1600-1750) pieces from memory in recital format. 

Gabriel Chavaria also received Superior rating at this event and was selected for the additional award of Honors for his fine performances. 

Wednesday, November 22, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to those students who earned the highest rating of Superior at Fall Festival, sponsored by Virginia Music Teachers Association. For this event, students presented two pieces, one in "contemporary" style and the other in "historic" style. They received comments and feedback from two judges. Earning the top rating were:

Gabriel Chavaria

Ryan Chen

Kaitlin Nguyen

Leah Weber

Thursday, July 13, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

Several students have earned honors in this rigorous but non-competitive event! Unlike most festivals and contest, students need to do more than play one or two pieces, but also to demonstrate a broad base of skill at each level. Learn more about it via rcmusic.com

♪ Pelin Sarac ♪ First Class Honors at Level 9 (June 2023) WOW!

♪ Alex Xu ♪ First Class Honors at Level 10 (May 2023) WOW!

♪ Helena Horowitz ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 5 (May 2023)

♪ Keshavan Nair ♪ First Class Honors at Level 3 (May 2023)

♪ Gizem Onerci ♪ First Class Honors at Level 2 (May 2023)

♪ Liam Horgan ♪ First Class Honors at Level 3 (May 2023)

♪ Ethan Williams ♪ First Class Honors at Level 2 (May 2023)

♪ Kavya Thyagarajan ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 5 (April 2023)

♪ Mateo Mulato ♪ First Class Honors at Level 2 (April 2023)

♪ James Yao ♪ First Class Honors at Level 7 (April 2023)

♪ Sakura Sasaki ♪ First Class Honors at Level 2 (March 2023)

♪ Owen Horgan ♪ First Class Honors at Level 1 (February 2023)

♪ Noa Herzog ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 3 (January 2023)

♪ Alex Lin ♪ First Class Honors at Level 2 (December 2022)

♪ Ben Beloe ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 4 (December 2022)

♪ Sarah Hellman ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 3 (December 2022)

♪ Sakura Sasaki ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 1 (November 2022)

♪ Adrian Jeon ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 1 (October 2022)

♪ Mateo Mulato  ♪ First Class Honors at Level 1 (September 2022)

♪ Jamison Cheng ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 1 (September 2022)

♪ Kaitlin Nguyen ♪ First Class Honors at Level 4 (October 2022)

♪ Aruni Veluri ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 7 (September 2022)

Sunday, May 21, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to our students who participated in Sonata Festivals this spring!

Aruni Veluri and Caeli McIntosh earned the top rating of Superior at Springfield Music Club Sonatina/Sonata Festival. 

Michael Nguyễn and Leah Weber earned the top rating of Superior at Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association Sonata Festival. In addition, Michael received the designation of Honors and performed in the Sonata Festival Honors Recital at George Mason University. 

Monday, May 1, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

On April 30 2023 we hosted a Master Class at the studio featuring local legend and longtime independent teacher Nancy Breth. Congratulations to the fine students who stepped up to perform! 

Leah (Sonatina, Kabalevksy) 

Helena (Invention in E Major, Bach)

Karthik (The Spruce, Sibelius)

Eliana (Nocturne in E-flat major, Chopin)

Alex (Ritual Fire Dance, de Falla)

Monday, March 13, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

On March 10 and 11, 2023, many of our students participate in NFMC Festival, hosted locally by Springfield Music Club. In this nationally sponsored, locally run event, students play two pieces from memory for comments and a rating. The event is non-competitive and accessible to a wide range of students/levels. The following students earned the top rating of Superior:

Samiya Bhuvanagiri ♪ Graham Halvaksz ♪ Sarah Hellman ♪Noa Herzog ♪ Owen Horgan ♪ Liam Horgan ♪ Helena Horowitz ♪ Ryo Lee ♪ Caeli McIntosh ♪ Keshavan Nair ♪ Kaitlin Nguyen ♪ Gizem Onerci ♪ Priya Perakam ♪ Ryan Qi ♪ Eliana Rougle ♪ Pelin Sarac ♪ Sakura Sasaki ♪ Lucia Severino ♪ Anne Severino ♪ Anastasia Vassilopolous ♪ Aruni Veluri ♪ Ethan Williams. In addition, Karthik Thyagarajan received the top rating of "Superior" on both his solo pieces and his concerto, the first movement of Mendelssohn's piano concerto in g minor. 

Monday, March 6, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to Pelin Sarac who was awarded Super Bronze in this competitive video-entry event! 

Monday, February 27, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

On February 18 2023, Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association hosted the annual Bach-Baroque Festival. Students had the opportunity to present two works from the Baroque era (1600-1750) and also had the chance to try their music out on a harpsichord. The following students earned the top rating of Superior: Helena Horowitz ♪ Eliana Rougle ♪ Leah Weber ♪ James Yao. In addition, Helena and Leah were awarded Honors and performed in the Honors Recital on Saturday February 25.

Monday, November 7, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

On November 5, 2022, Virginia Music Teachers Association (VMTA) held their first in-person Fall Festival event since 2019. Participating students presented two pieces from memory. One piece in contemporary style; the other piece in historic style. The following students received the top rating of Superior in this non-competitive event:

Helena Horowitz ♪ Zachary Moeller ♪ Kaitlin Nguyen ♪ Priya Perakam ♪ Aruni Veluri ♪ Leah Weber ♪ James Yao

Monday, September 12, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to Aruni Veluri who recently participated in her RCM Piano (practical) Exam at Level 7 and was recognized with First Class Honors with Distinction. Learn more about this rigorous yet non-competitive evaluation program via: https://www.rcmusic.com.

Monday, June 27, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to our high school senior Owen Rollins for earning Honors with Distinction on his Level 10 RCM Exam in December 2021. The Level 10 exam requires students to present five repertoire pieces in varied styles as well as two etudes and an assortment of foundational practical skills. Students who pass this exam have demonstrated a level of practical knowledge and performance skill similar to a third-year college undergraduate piano major. Owen performed Prelude & Fugue in A-flat Major, WTC 1 (J.S. Bach) ♪ Sonata in F Major Op. 10 No. 2, first and second movements (L. van Beethoven) ♪ Nocturne in b-flat minor, Op. 9 No. 1 (F. Chopin) ♪ Clair de Lune (C. Debussy) ♪ Graceful Ghost Rag (W. Bolcom) ♪ And, etudes by Chopin and Czerny. 

Throughout the Winter/Spring season, we have had many other students participating in this rigorous but non-competitive event! Learn more about it via rcmusic.com

♪ Abby Wang ♪ First Class Honors at Level 1 (February 2022)

♪ Noa Herzog ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 2 (February 2022)

♪ Hannah Wang ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 5 (February 2022)

♪ Keshavan Nair ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 2 (March 2022)

♪ Kavya Thyagarajan ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 4 (March 2022)

♪ Audrey Wang ♪ First Class Honors at Level 4 (April 2022)

♪ Helena Horowitz ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 4 (April 2022)

♪ Alex Xu ♪ First Class Honors at Level 9 (April 2022)

♪ Liam Horgan ♪ First Class Honors at Level 2 (May 2022)

♪ Karthik Thyagarajan ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 7 (May 2022)

♪ Ryan Qi ♪ First Class Honors at Level 3 (May 2022)

♪ Gizem Onerci ♪ First Class Honors at Level 1 (May 2022)

♪ Ethan Williams ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 1 (June 2022)

♪ James Yao ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 2 (June 2022)

♪ Abby Wang ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 2 (June 2022)

♪ Eliana Rougle ♪ First Class Honors at Level 8 (June 2022)

♪ Alex Xu ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction Level 8 Theory (June 2022)

♪ Karthik Thyagarajan ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction Level 7 Theory (June 2022)

Friday, May 27, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

On May 15, 2022, we were lucky to host the fabulous Dr. Paulo Steinberg of James Madison University for our second and final Guest Artist Masterclass of the 2022 school year. Congratulations to the students who stepped up to perform and learn with us!

Hannah Boesen (Invention in a minor, Bach) ♪ Ai-Lan Pho (Waltz in c-sharp minor, Chopin) ♪ Kavya Thyagarajan (Courante from French Suite No. 2, Bach) ♪ Aruni Veluri (Sonatina for the Young Op. 118 No. 1, Schumann) ♪ Owen Rollins (Liebestraum No. 3, Liszt)

Friday, May 27, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

On May 14 2022 Springfield Music Club held a Sonata/Sonatina Festival. And on May 22 2022 Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association did the same! In these events, students performed two contrasting movements from a sonata or sonatina. The following students received the top rating: Alexa Garcia • Aruni Veluri • Varun Veluri • Hannah Wang.

Sunday, May 1, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

Each year, the National Federation of Music Clubs hosts a Spring Festival. Nationwide, this event reaches approximately 100,000 students! Locally, this event is sponsored and run by Springfield Music Club. Students prepare two contrasting pieces and perform them from memory for a small audience. Students receive constructive written feedback on their performance and a rating. The following students earned the top rating of Superior. 

Sebastian Annett ♪ Juliet Barrett ♪ Sarah Hellman ♪ Noa Herzog Owen Horgan ♪ Liam Horgan ♪ Helena Horowitz ♪ Stephen McElvain ♪ Keshavan Nair ♪ Lindsay Nguyen ♪ Gizem Onerci ♪ Seth Peleg ♪ Ryan Qi ♪ Eliana Rougle ♪ Pelin Sarac ♪ Lucia Severino ♪ Anne Severino ♪ Karthik Thyagarajan ♪ Elena Valdez-Torres ♪ Aruni Veluri ♪ Ethan Williams ♪ Alex Xu

SOLO AND CONCERTO: Varun Veluri