Piano Events
2011 / 2012
Annual International Summer Academy offers new activities: besides Solo, Piano Duet and Chamber Ensemble, piano students will have an opportunity to participate in Accompaniment, thus covering all piano performance professional areas.
In addition, only members of the Academy can apply for International Solo Competitions. The first competition will take a place in Cremona, Italy from July 20, 2011 through August 4, 2011, and will include an Academy and an International Strings competitions. This will be followed by an International Piano Competition, which will take place in Regensberg, Germany from August 6, 2011 through August 7, 2011. Summer Academy in Regensburg will continue until August 20. Competitions are closed to public and only Academy students are eligible to apply.
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NDMTA Sonata Competition, October 15, 2011
AMTA The 3rd Romantic Festival & Competition, October 30, 2011
Winter Studio Recital, December 2011
Peter Takacs, professor from Oberlin Conservatory, OH – Master Class and Presentation for AMTA, NDMTA, and NFMTA teachers and students, January 21, 2012
Peter Takacs Solo Recital at the Steinway Piano Galleries, January 21, 2012
Baroque Recital: Raisa Isaacs - Nancy Schechter (Frescobaldi, Froberger, Bach), OUMA, February 11, 2012, 3 PM
AMTA Atlanta Fest – February, 2012
NFMC Festival – March 2012
Raisa Isaacs – Baroque Recital at Monmouth Conservatory, NJ, March 24, 2012
Local Spring Audition – March 2012
State Audition – April 2012
Royal School of Music (ABRSM) – April 2012
Spring Studio Recital – May 2012, Southern Pianos
2010 / 2011
Combo Piano Recital – Amateur Adult Deborah Brown and Junior Senior Victoria Yang performed alternatively compositions by Beethoven (Sonata Op.2, No.2 and Op.53), Rachmaninoff (Prelude and Polishinelle), and Liszt (Mephisto-Waltz and Hungarian Rhapsody No.2) in May at the Steinway Piano Galleries. Extremely difficult program is the way to grow as an artist and pianist, and I encourage my students to challenge themselves to “break the seiling”.
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In spite of the conflicts for many students, who could not participate in Spring Studio recital – it took about two hours, as students performed programs from Burgmuller to Beethoven’s “Appassionata”.
As usual, Award Ceremony was the most exciting and rewarding moment, concluding the entire academic year of efforts and dedication to piano performance.
Victoria Yang, our Senior, received Studio Trophy and five certificates – from AMTA, NDMTA, NFMC (Superior+), Local Audition (OP) and from my Studio for her musical achievements during studying at the Studio from 2004 to 2011. She is the winner of Chopin Competition (Chopin Society of Atlanta), NDMTA Sonata Competition, GCSU Piano Olympics Competition, NFMC Summer Camp Scholarship, three times GMTA Conference Recitalist and the winner of the Georgia Governor’s Honor Program (Georgia Department of Education).
Victoria decided to continue her music education in college, all together with other subjects. Good luck in her endeavors!
Her sister, Nina Yang, is persistently disciplined in gaining larger and larger Studio Trophies. Based on the point system for each lesson and her participating in all piano events throughout the year, she has accumulated 850 points by this time!
Bravo, Nina! Doyle Wang followed her with the trophy of 500 points!
Other students received trophies according to their efforts and years of studying as well.
24 students participated in NFMC Festival in Decatur chapter. All of them received Superior and Superior +.
Three students received cups for 3 (Yangyang Lee) and 6 (Deborah Brown and Jocelyn Yang) consecutive Superiors. What a great job!
It is especially impressive when adult student receives Cup for 6 years! (Silver Cup for Seniors). Deborah Brown, full time IT professional, Ph.D in Math, always finds time for her favorite lifelong affair – music, performing in Solo Recitals and all possible events for Amateur Adults.
Your Piano Teacher chaired RWA Program “Joy of Music” and gave several presentations through the year (French Court Dance, Great Loves of Great Composers, and Symphony Orchestra and Conductors). It was an interesting experience – to present for non-professionals, and it was very inspiring to receive many positive feedbacks (more at www.atlmta.org in January Newsletter).
Your Piano Teacher visited Ufa State Institute of Arts (Conservatory) in Russia, where she was teaching for years. The 18th c. building belonged to Nobility Assembly and is well known as having an acoustically excellent hall. The closest for years S. Rachmaninoff’s friend, famous Russian bass Fedor Chaliapin has made his debut in Ufa and has sang in this hall.
Raisa Isaacs presented on both, piano and harpsichord, lecture-recital “J.S. Bach and ways of adaptation Baroque Performance Practice on the modern keyboard instruments”.
Casual February Home Recital with the following reception has always been one of the charming events for adults, who prefer to perform in a private environment. It is enjoyable to communicate after the (still!) stress of performing with your friends and spouses and share your life experiences in a friendly chatting.
As a Chair of AMTA Out State Presenters Program, in January we welcomed Executive Director of Monmouth Conservatory, NJ and renowned pianist Vladislav Kovalsky. Mr. Kovaslky is still carrying Natan Perelman’s traditions of St. Petersburg Conservatory, Russia, in its integrity. He gave master class and presentation at GSU and for three Music Teachers Associations in the Atlanta Metro Area (AMTA, NDMTA, and NDMTA).
I like my students to encounter with different teaching techniques and ideas and offered Mr. Kovalsky to have private lessons with my students. I was sure that they would benefit in receiving an invaluable and inspiring information regarding historically based musical approach and technical skill of the “Russian full-tone touch”.
As AMTA member mentioned in the Newsletter: ”Kovalsky emphasized going
to the text for interpretation of the compositions and getting to the heart of what the composer was saying in his score, in regard to the melody, phrase line, pulse, character of the music, and tempo that best portrayed the composer’s intent. When that all happens, the performer is at his optimum level of balance
of voicing and interpretation”.
Winter Studio Recital was held at the Steinway Piano Galleries on December 18.
As usual – Studio Recital is an opportunity to perform new programs for the coming Spring events (MFMC, Auditions and etc.) before an audience. Though friendly – it is always more challenging to perform in open to public recitals.
Your teacher, Raisa Isaacs, was an Artistic Director and Harpsichordist at the recitals of French Baroque and German-French Baroque on Period Instruments that were performed at OUMA on November 14, 2010 and at the Church of the New Covenant on April 3, 2011. Programs featured solo and chamber music of Bach, Rameau, Couperin, La Guerre, Marais and Leclair.
French Baroque Recital was prepared in conjunction with the French Master Drawings and Sculpture Exhibition at the Oglethorpe University Museum of Arts, and as a very specific style in Baroque music required thoughtful research work and detailed, sensitive collaboration between partners.
As live illustration, the group participated in my presentation for NDMTA “French Influences in J. S. Bach’s music”as well.
AMTA Romantic Festival & Competition for Juniors and Amateur Adults estimated by colleagues among the higher rank students’ events in Atlanta area and brought new OP, OPR and AW results for 22 students participated in the Festival category. As a Chair of the Romantic Festival I was pleased to see many applicants from different chapters. Our judges (Evgeny Rifkin, UGA, Geoffrey Haydon, GSU, Kevin Chance, AU) mentioned many performances with difficult programs and polished quality. 
2009 / 2010
Your teacher, Raisa Parmenier Isaacs was invited to participate in the recital of the World Famous Mandolin Recording Artist Carlo Aonzo (Italy) in Atlanta popular Chamber Concerts series “Music on the Hill” on June 27, 2010.
Piano Studio Recital was held at the Southern Keyboards on May 22, 2010 and as usual was concluded with the ceremony of the Studio Trophy Awards. Since the points are accumulative from year to year–the most persistent and disciplined students received as much as 800 pt. trophy! (Nina Yang). Her impressive reward was very inspiring for the younger students. Students received Certificates and other events Trophy at the recital as well.
Adult Students Piano Recital – collaboration of Deborah Brown and Saeka Hasegawa, was held on May 2, 3pm at the Steinway Piano Galleries.
Their program included the most renowned compositions by Chopin (Etudes) Beethoven (“Appassionata”, Sonata No.2) and Rachmaninoff (Etude-Tableau and Preludes).
I accompanied Deborah in the most famous the 2nd Concerto by S.Rachmaninoff.
After intermission the audience enjoyed pieces based on American and Japanese tunes. At the end of the recital Deborah and Saeka performed piano duet pieces by Aram Chatschaturjan and Darius Milhaud and deserved encouraging applauses of the excited audience.
Your teacher, Raisa Parmentier Isaacs, performed as a Collaborative Pianist in Opera Workshop Production at the Reinhardt University on April 20,2010 and in Senior recitals.
The whole music world celebrates 2010 as a year of 200th anniversary of the birth of Chopin and Schumann. The major forum for all teachers in US – Music Teachers National Conference (MTNA) commemorated this event in the Pedagogy Pre-Conference “Rediscovering Chopin” program in Albuquerque, NM on March 20–22, 2010.
Numerous presentations, master classes with the leading performers of Chopin piano repertoire (Kevin Kenner, Winner of Warsaw Chopin Competition) with the winners of Canada and USA Chopin Competitions raised many questions about modern interpretation of the most performed composer of the Romantic period. Your teacher’s review of the event and contemplation about the trends in Chopin’s performance were published on http://www.atlmta.org/media/pdf/AMTAnewsletter.May10.pdf
GMTA Spring Audition is the most competitive event for piano students in Atlanta area and requires a diligent work and meticulous preparation. Victoria Yang and Nina Yang participated this year in the Local Audition and passed with OP to the State level, where
Victoria Yang received the 3rd time very honorable GMTA Conference Recitalist award in addition to OP.
She will perform at GMTA conference on November 4-6, 2010 at Augusta State University.
Atlanta Fest (AMTA) at the Southern Keyboards greeted with Superior grades 18 students of my studio on February 28, 2010. Congratulations! Their names: Angela Lee, Yanyang Li, Chelsea Thorpe, Sainath Rajendrakumar, Jasmine Ewe, Bowen Ewe, Anna Hu ,Michael Hu, Doyle Wang ,Georgianna Lin,Nina Yang, Victoria Yang, Emily Ku,Tylor Tran, Jacqline Tran, Eric Pan, Jessica Pan and Suprotik Debnath.
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) brought Superiors with the excellent judge comments on February 20, 2010. NFMC is a valuable opportunity to receive comments from the faculty members of the universities for Adult amateur students. Very few piano events accept Adult students. Some of them—Deborah Brown, Meera Barve, Saeka Hasegawa and Josh Tyree successfully participated in this event. Doyle Wang, Suprotik Debnath, Nina Yang, Victoria Yang and Meghna Rao received Junior Golden Cups for 3 and 6! Consecutive Superiors. Adult student Meera Barve received Senior Silver Cup for 3 consecutive Superiors.
Superior students: Georgianna Lin, Bernardo Moreira, Suprotik Debnath, Yangyang Li, Doyle Wang. Chelsea Thorpe, Jasmine Ewe, Bowen Ewe, Nina Yang, Victoria Yang, Meghna Rao, Avinash Rao, Sainah Rajendrakumar, Emily Ku, Anna Hu, Michael Hu, Eric Pan, Jessica Pan, Meera Barve, Deborah Brown, Josh Tyree, Saeka Hasegawa.
Nina Yang has become a Winner 2010 in Decatur Chapter of NFMC and received a scholarship for a Summer Camp. She has chosen University of North Caroline (UNC) in Greensboro and will spend a week on the campus with the leading professors of the university.
Her older sister, Victoria Yang, who was the Winner at the NFMC Festival in 2009, was nominated and has won participation in Georgia Governor’s Honor Program (Georgia Department of Education) She will attend the six-week summer program at Valdosta State University in Georgia. GHP is an opportunity for gifted high school juniors and seniors to study in depth artistic field of interest with college instructors in the university campus environment. For more info about Georgia Department of Education’s Governor’s Honors programs visit: http://snipurl.com/ghp_doe
Your piano teacher, Raisa Parmentier Isaacs was an Artistic Director and Harpsichordist of the German Baroque Chamber Music Recital on Period Instruments. We participated in two recitals in Atlanta: Oglethorpe University of Museum of Arts (February 7) and in Atlanta well-known series of Chamber Concerts “Music on the Hill”(January 31). In spite of uniqueness and elite kind of audience who would be interested in such specific concerts—the halls were full and performers received very enthusiastic and grateful applauses.
The 1st Romantic Festival-Competition (AMTA) started 2009-2010 Academic year. It featured very strong young and amateur adult performers in Atlanta area and was evaluated by the team of highly esteemed judges from UGA and Columbus State University.
Students were judged based on their sensitivity to melodical line, musicality and technical abilities to express their intensions. We had OPR (Outstanding Performer Recitalists) in Elementary (Michael Hu) and Adult (Deborah Brown, Josh Tyree, Meera Barve) Categories.
2008 / 2009
Congratulations to our participants in the International Summer Academy in Germany, Regensburg in July 19-August 2 - Doyle Wang, Saeka Hasegawa and Deborah Brown! (www.musicontherhine.com)
They performed in the halls of 15-16 centuries and enriched their knowledge of Piano Performace with remarkable teachers from United States, Russia and Mexico (Vladislav Kowalsky, Anatoly Zatin…)
They performed in solo mini-recitals, Academy concerts as soloists and chamber music partners and gained unique musical experience and artistic stimulation.
They discovered Bavaria Region of Germany and Salzburg, the birth place of Mozart.
Your teacher, Raisa Parmentier Isaacs, was working with the international students, gave a presentation about Baroque music and performed in recitals of the Academy as well.
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Three students from my studio—Doyle Wang, Deborah Brown and Saeka Hasegawa will participate in the International Summer Academy in Regensburg, Germany in July 18-August 2 of this year. I will be teaching there as well. The students will be rotated between international collegiate of the faculty and perform solo, chamber and piano duet music during the workshop. They also will give piano minute recitals at the Academy in addition. I believe, they are looking forward for it, as much as I do.
In conclusion of our piano studio Spring Recital at the Steinway Piano Gallery on May 15th students were rewarded with the Studio trophies in accordance with their efforts during the year or years of study. Just remind you that each student can earn 3 points for performance, practice time and theory work every lesson. In addition, students get points for participating in the recitals, festivals, auditions and just for visiting any other recitals, exhibitions and plays. If they persist from year to year—they can get as many points as Nina Yang received —700 points trophy!!
Our adult student, Deborah Brown presented a very extensive program during a Fundraising event in one of the Backhead mansions of Atlanta in March. Last year she gave a recital at one of the nursery facilities for great enjoyment of our senior citizens. She presented her Solo recital at the Steinway Piano Gallery on May 31st with the program including the most challenging Liszt, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Barber compositions.
Deborah is also persistent in her participating in the Senior Category of NFMC Festival and received the Silver Cup for adults for 3 year of Superior grades.
4 students:
Nina Yang, Michael Resnikov, Meghna Rao and Victoria Yang
participated in the most challenging local
Spring Audition on March 14, 2008.
All of them received OP (Outstanding Performer)
and proceeded to the State level at the Kennesaw State
University on April 18.
Victoria Yang in addition to OP was chosen as a Conference Recitalist for GMTA Conference in November 2009. It’s the highest recognition student can get on the level of Georgia MTA.
Besides, Victoria Yang and Saeka Hasegawa played in the beautiful, North Drive Baptist Church in Buckhead area of Atlanta on April 22. They performed Beethoven’s Appasionata the 1st and last movements and have been noticed as a really highly professional and successful performers who made a very impressive conclusion of the recital at the AMTA chapter.
On February 21 22 students, including adults, faced annual nationwide festival -- NFMC, at Rehoboth Baptist Church, Tucker.
Their names:
Angela Lee, Sivamalai Chandrasekar, Mary Lou, Sophia Resnikova, Teresa Xie, Bernardo Moreiro, Suprotik Debnath, YangYang Li, Michelle Zhong, Baylen Jobe, Doyle Wang, Albert Yang,Chelsea Thorpe, Jasmine Ewe, Nina Yang, Michael Resnikov, Idean Berhorouz, Hong Laurie, Hong Claire, Meghna Rao, Victoria Yang, Meera Barve, Deborah Brown.
All of them received Superior and Superior+
3 of them- Albert Zhang, Doyle Wang and Sivamalai Chandrasecar-- received a trophy, a golden cup for 3 Superiors in 3 consecutive years. Our congratulations!!
Atlanta Fest in frame of Atlanta Music Teacher Association took place on February 14, 2009 at the Southern Keyboards, Marietta.
28 students participated in this event and all of them received Superior and Superior +
Their names:
Sai Rajakumar, Jeremy Kemalov, Iris Xie, Angela Lee, Sivamalai Chandrasekar, Taylor Thomas, Tylor Tran, Jaqliene Tran, Mary Lou, Sophia Resnikova, Inika Muralidharan, Georgiana Lin, Teresa Xie, Bernardo Moreiro, Suprotik Debnath, YangYang Li, Michelle Zhong, Baylen Jobe, Doyle Wang, Chelsea Thorpe, Jasmine Ewe, Nina Yang, Michael Resnikov, Idean Berhorouz, Hong Laurie, Hong Claire, Kinsey Farmer, Victoria Yang.
Biennial Piano Studio Recital took place at the Steinway Piano Galleries on December 17, 2008. Almost all students were able to attend, which extended the recital to two hours! Students and parents enjoyed communication at the following reception as usual.
A harpsichord student Yoko Tanaka performed her first harpsichord recital on December 14, 2008! She is just 10 years old and she has her own Flemish style harpsichord! Yoko likes to play only the harpsichord and it helps her to avoid problems of readjusting piano technique to a very different harpsichord touch. She learns the secrets of Baroque performance at the age when it’s easier to absorb detailed information and will succeed if she persists in this area. She played Couperin and Bach music.
Your teacher was a member of the 13th World Piano Pedagogy Conference (WPPC), which was held in Dallas (TX) on October 22-26, 2008 (www.atlmta.org/resources/newsletter December 2008)
Raisa Parmentier was a member of the jury of the final round of the 3rd Pianovision International Competition in Sonata category
Adult student, Saeka Hasegawa, was a finalist of the Miniature category of the competition and performed Etudes and Preludes by Chopin and Rachmaninoff.
Five students participated in the NDMTA event on October 19, 2008 –Bach’s Festival-Competition. All of them were rewarded with the highest festival grade – Outstanding Performer (OP). The judges’ comments characterized the students’ performance as fresh and full of interesting ideas in ornamentation and articulation. Their names --- Doyle Wang, Nina Yang, Victoria Yang, Isabella Tondi Resta and Judy Lee. My congratulations and deep appreciation of your hard work! I have to note that it’s extremely challenging to demand Bach pieces performance from young students in accordance with the latest requirements of the authentic performance of the Baroque music
Your teacher organized Presentation and Master-class for Advanced and Gifted Students of the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music (New-York), the Board Member of WPPC Phillip Kawin in collaboration with four MTA chapters in Atlanta area (AMTA, NDMTA, NFMTA and GCMTA) and at GSU on October 17-18, 2008
Students had to apply for the competition with the high credentials in order to be eligible to participate in the master class of this distinguished piano teacher. My student Victoria Yang has been chosen among 5 other students and played quite rare performed Chopin’s Nocturne Op.9, No.3
Phillip Kawin has given performances internationally in Australia, China, Italy, Russia, Spain, Korea, and in United States. He “ has created a teaching methodology that elucidates the principles of pianistic technique and musicianship in a detailed, analytical approach — an approach which does not ignore the intuitive aspect of music-making”(www.pnk.com)
Your teacher, Raisa Parmentier, had a presentation about The Main Aspects of Bach’s Phrasing and Articulation for the members of Atlanta MTA at the Southern Keyboards,
Atlanta on September 12, 2008
Questions about influence of signing, wind and string techniques on the
keyboard baroque performance have been discussed in details. Significant
feature of
“up-bow’ baroque phrasing was analyzed all together with examples of the
various articulation patterns, common for Baroque period.
2007 / 2008
Summer has past quite fast. For some of the students this summer was especially adventurous.
Isabella Tondi Resta and Victoria Yang participated in the annual International Summer Academy in Düsseldorf-Duisburg, Germany on June 30-July 13, 2008
It was very exciting and invigorating experience for them. Students, children and adults, has been rotated and taught by several professors from Boston, New-York, Russia and Mexico and had to perform solo and chamber group music in five to six recitals in the different music halls during those two weeks.
They visited Robert and Clara Schumann’s house in Düsseldorf and Beethoven’s House in Bonn. In addition, they have made many friends from the different parts of the world!
Your teacher, Raisa Parmentier,
as Faculty
member of the Academy, was teaching students from
the different countries as well (www.musicontherhine.com/
Students should be prepared properly during the year and participate in the festivals and auditions of the intermediate and advanced level to be recommended for this exciting event.
Germany2008(Dusseldorf,Bonn,Cologne)
Germany
Master class Bonn, Beethoven House, Master Class
Our senior, Michelle Wang, performed solo recital on May 24,2008 at the Steinway Piano Galleries as well.
Her diverse program included the most significant piano compositions of the different periods: Prelude and Fugue from Bach’s WTC, Beethoven’s “Appasionata”, Chopin’s Nocturne, Grieg’s Concerto and pieces of Chinese composers.
Michelle had live audition at UGA and was immediately accepted by commission, which included UGA faculty, Martha Thomas, GMTA president, and notorious performer and pedagogy specialist Eugeny Rivkin.
MichelleWangSoloRecitalMay2008
MwangRecMay08
We finished our 2007-2008 academic year with our regular spring studio recital at the Steinway Piano Gallery on May18,2008. Students were rewarded with the trophies and Certificates in accordance with their efforts during the year
StudRecitSpring2008
Two students participated in the GMTNA
Spring Audition on March
17th at GSU. Nina Yang received Awards of Excellence; Victoria Yang
received Outstanding Performances
and proceeded to the State level at UGA in May. She received Outstanding
Performance at the State level
in UGA and has been chosen as Conference
Recitalist for the most prestigious
event for piano students in Georgia-Conference
of the Georgia Music Teacher Association (GMTA) 2008
18 students-Sivamalai Chanrasekar, Alex Agnew, Victoria Yang, Nina Yang, Izabella Tondi Resta ,Michelle Zhong, Bahman Moattari, Albert Zhong, Ana Yoon, Meghna Rao, Jaqliene Tran, Tylor Tran, Bernardo Moreira, Inika Vimal, Michael Tian, Doyle Wang, Deborah Brown, Meera Barve- participated in the AMTNA Atlanta MusicFest on March 8 at the Southern Keyboards. All of them received SUPERIOR grades! Bravo!
Renowned specialist in Baroque Music, Professor of the School of Music at the University of Michigan Edward Parmentier visited Atlanta the second time with master class and presentation at the NDMTA and GSU. He worked privately with the students Izabella Tondi Rersta, Victoria Yang, Russel Thomas, Michelle Wang and Deborah Brown on the piano and harpsichord. It was inspiring and very educational coaching sessions before the Bach Competition in October 2008 at the NDMTA
EdParmentMasterclRecital
24 students, including adult students, participated in NFMC Festival on February 16, 2008 at the Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker and all received SUPERIORS. In addition, advanced students received SUPERIOR + and SUPERIOR++!
Their names: Alex Agnew, Brown Deborah, Bergorouz Ideen, Chandrasekar Sivamalai, Rao Meghna, Resta Tondi Izabella, Reznikov Michael,Resnikov Sophia, Xu Alina, Yang Nina, Yang Victoria, Zhang Albert, Weng Edmund, Doyle Wang, adults Thomas Russel, Meera Barve and Deborah Brown.
Two students- Idean Behgorouz and Alina Xu were awarded with Golden Cups in Junior category and Deborah Brown has received Silver Cup for Tree Years of Superior in Adult category student at the NFMC Festival
Victoria Yang has won the 1st Award ($300) for a Summer Camp!
She will use the award towards International Summer Academy in Düsseldorf, Germany this summer. She will perfect Solo, Chamber Music and Piano Duet performances with the leading professors from United States and Europe.
Adult Piano Recital was held at the studio on February 3, 2008. Adult student recital is a form of a recital in a friendly environment for all level of adult performers. Cordial discussion followed after each performance with emphasis on the different aspects of the Piano Performance, brief information about composers and each piece. Compositions from Clementi sonatas to Liszt-Busoni’s Mephisto-Waltz were performed. After the recital students continued interaction during the reception.
January,
2008 – your teacher, Raisa Parmentier,
performed in the Chamber Music Recital
with Mark Lakirovich, violinist
and dean of Longy School of Music
in Cambridge, MA, and cellist George Butler
at the Steinway Piano Gallery in Atlanta/Sandy Springs, at the Epiphany
Church in Suwannee, and at the Fallany Performing Arts Center of the Reinhardt
College in Waleska.
The program included sonatas and trio works by Mozart, Glinka, Beethoven
and Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Part.
Magic Piano Studio Winter recital was successfully performed at the Steinway Piano Gallery on December 14, 2007. It was a great holiday gift for the parents and all listeners!
November 19, 2007 – your teacher, Raisa Parmentier participated in Reinhardt College faculty recital in J.S.Bach Concerto for Four Keyboards and orchestra in A Minor, BWV 1065.
Juan Ramires - conductor of the Reinhardt Symphony Orchestra, George Lucktenberg – Artist in Residence and Raisa Parmentier
The
12th WPPC,
November 4-7, 2007 in Las Vegas, NE
Your teacher, Raisa Parmentier, participated in the 12th
World Piano Pedagogy Conference in Las Vegas, NE, in November 2007
and was a member of the finalist’s jury
in the 2nd International Pianovision Competition.
Victoria
Yang,
the 9th grade, participated in the Georgia
College and State University Junior Piano Olympics Competition
in the High School Division on October 27,2007
She won the 2nd prize. Victoria
was the youngest winner among High School competitors! She performed “Berceuse”
by Chopin and the 3rd movement of Beethoven Sonata Op. 27, No. 2.
Excellent results and rewards were attained for sustained and disciplined
practice all together with the beautiful gift!
October
2007 – NDMTA Sonata Competition
Four students participated in The Sonata Competition on October 13, 2007.
Victoria Yang won the
1st prize in advanced category!! She performed the
3rd movement of ‘Moonlight”sonata by Beethoven and participated
in Outstanding Performers’ Recital on October 14 at the Recital Hall
of the Piano Works. Great work, Victoria!
Andy Hyang, Isabella Tondi Resta and Nina Yang received Outstanding Performance grade! Our congratulations!
Adult
student Deborah Brown performed a solo piano
recital at the England Piano on July 22,
2007.
The program featured Beethoven’s “Appassionata”, Chopin’s
Ballade No.2, Sonata No.3 by Prokofiev and Brahms’s and Rachmaninoff’s
miniatures. Deborah is the finalist of the Amateur International Competition
2007 in Colorado.
.:-::::~::::-:.
Our 2007 spring season concluded with our Magic Piano Studio recital at the Steinway Piano Galleries on May13, 2007.
The recital acknowledged new trophy and award winners, who have been rewarded
for their sustained accomplishments in hours of home practice, performances
during the lessons and theory studies.
Alex Agnew has been rewarded
with a 500 points trophy!
Nina Yang – 400 points trophy!
Vivian Wang, Meghna Rao – 300 points; Heather McKay, Sivamalai Chandreasecar – 200 points;
Izabella Tondi resta, Idean Behgorouz, Dianna Xu, Alina Xu, David Solano, Albert Zhang – 100 points;
Amber Feng, Sophia Reznikova, Michael Reznikov, Lavanya Natshiappan, Divya Balakrishnan – 50 points awards.
Victoria
Yang
(8th grade) and Alex Agnew (7th Grade) performed
at the State level of Georgia
Music Teacher National Association (GMTA)
at the University of Georgia on May 12, 2007.
They had to compete with up to 30 contests in each age category.
Victoria Yang performed Beethoven
sonata Op.2 No.1 and S.Rachmaninoff’s. Prelude in D Major. Op. 23
No.4. She has been rated as Outstanding Performer!
The judge from Winthrop University, SC, mentioned “…very mature
performance for her age and excellent preparedness” of her program.
Alex Agnew’s program
included Beethoven’s Sonata in C Minor.”Pathetique” Op.13.
and Prelude in C Sharp Minor by S. Rachmaninoff. She has received
Award of Excellence and has been noted as “a
very talented” student.
Your piano teacher, Raisa Parmentier, participated in the All-Bach Baroque Recital in local churches in February and at the Oglethorpe University Museum of Arts on March 18th. Your teacher performed solo and chamber music on the harpsichord: Toccatas, chamber duets, and trio-sonatas.
It is a very well known fact that Bach did not compose for the piano. Every student will benefit from an introduction to the authentic sound of the most renowned Baroque composer by attending programs that perform his compositions on the original instruments. It will help students to develop the adequate Baroque interpretations on the modern pianos.
Members of All-Bach Baroque Recital with Lloyd Nick, Director of the Oglethorpe University Museum of Arts.
24 students, including adult students, participated in NFMC
Festival on March 10th at the Northminister Church and all
received SUPERIORS. In addition, advanced students received
SUPERIOR + and SUPERIOR++!
Their names:
Alex Agnew, Brown Deborah, Bergorouz Ideen, Balakrishnan Divya, Jeyanth
John Britto, Choksey Tamara, Chandrasekar Sivamalai, Feng Amber, Hammer
Alex, Huang Andy, MacKey Heather, Natchiappan Lavanya,Rao Meghna, Resta
Tondi Izabella, Reznikov Michael, Thomas Russel, Wang Vivian, Wang Michelle,
Xu Dianna, Xu Alina, Yang Nina, Yang Victoria, Zhang Albert, Weng Edmund.
Izabella Tondi Resta, Michelle Wang, Alex Agnew and Nina Yang each received
a Special Judge Reward from
three judges of this festival.
Michelle Wang received The Judge Award for Edward Grieg Concerto in A Minor Op. 16 in the category Concerto
Russell Thomas, one of the adults students, who has received Superior + at the NFMC Festival
Seven students - Meghna Rao, Lavanya Natchiappan, Nina Yang, Victoria Yang, Tamara Choksey, Amber Feng and Alex Hammer - were awarded with Gold Cups for 3 Consecutive Years of Superior Rating and participated in the Gold Cup Honor Recital.
Four students participated in the GMTNA Spring Audition on March 17th at GSU. Andy Huang and Nina Yang received Awards of Excellence; Victoria Yang and Alex Agnew received Outstanding Performances and will proceed to the State level at UGA on May 12.
Six students-Sivamalai Chanrasekar, Alex Agnew, Victoria Yang, Nina Yang,
Izabella Tondi Resta, Andy Huang- participated in the
AMTNA Atlanta MusicFest on February 24th at Steinway
Piano Galleries. All of them received SUPERIOR grades.
“Atlanta Camerata” (Raisa Parmentier – harpsichord, Nancy Schechter-violin, Olga McNeil-flute, George Butler-cello) presents J.S.Bach Trio-Sonatas recital at the Oglethorpe University Museum of Arts on March 11, 2006.
The
11th World Piano Pedagogy Conference held from October 25th
to 28th, 2006 was the most significant musical educational event in Atlanta
this fall.
Your teacher was invited to judge in the Final Round of the
1st Piano Competition in the Sonatina, Etude and Invention categories
for this conference.
Two
students from my studio, Alex Agnew and Deborah Brown,
participated in Miniature and Sonata categories and reached the semi-final
and final rounds.
Alex Agnew (12 years old) had to compete in final round with several competitors
in their twenties and thirties and played extremely well. She was then invited
to participate in a master-class with renowned teacher and professor of
the Music Institute of Chicago, Emilio Del Rosario. Mr. Rosario was impressed
with Alex’s professionalism and preparation, particularly given her
age.
Mr. Rosario with Alex Agnew after the master-class
Alex Agnew participated in the Special Talents Competition at the Junior
Beta Convention and has won 3rd prize!
Victoria Yang has won 1st prize in the Chopin Piano Competition on November 18th in her age category B (12 years old). She played Etude in G Flat Major and Berceuse by Fr. Chopin. Judges for this contest included Professor Jeffrey Hayden from Georgia State University and Professor Martha Thomas from University of Georgia Best congratulations for her hard work and excellent performance!
Victoria Yang at the Competition’s Winner recital
Nina
Yang participated in a challenging J.S. Bach Competition of NDMTA on October
18th and received Outstanding Performance!
Our congratulations!
My congratulations
to those students who participated in “Magic Piano” studio’s
Technique Test during October.
The Test included two parts: two scales with cadences and etude.
Scale practice is the key for technical success at any pianist’s level.
It is very important for students to start practicing as early as possible
and to make scale practice a habit for many years ahead.
As a result of their hard work, 16 students received either Excellent
or Superior grades.
These are the names of our winners: Alex Hammer, Vivien Wang, Moe Winograd,
Meghna Rao, Tamara Choksey, Christian Kungu, Izabella Tondi Resta, Ilia
Geiguine, Russel Thomas, Divya Balakrishnan, Jeyanth John Britto, Alina
Xu, Dianna Xu, Amber Feng, Judy Manganiello, Ideen Behgorouz
Steinway Piano Galleries hosted our semi-annual “Magic Piano” Studio Recital on December 8, 2006. Students participating in our studio point system received appropriate trophies for attaining 100,200,300 and even 400 points! (By participating in recitals, auditions, festivals, competitions and class work assignments, students are able to earn points that result in larger trophies.)
Irene
Weng and Alisa Yang have received the highest grade of excellence “Distinction”
in challenging Practical exam of The London Royal
School of Music (ABRSM) in March 2006. Besides their performance,
the exam included scales, sight-reading, aural and memory tests, and knowledge
of musical glossary.
Our best wishes to these gifted and diligent students!
NFMC
(National Federation of Music Clubs) Festival
March 18, 2006 (BEGINNERS TO ADVANCED)
Our annual National Federation Music Club Festival (MFMC) has been held on March 18, 2006.
26 students participated in this event, 2 adult students among of them.
Agnew
Alex |
Jeyanth
John Britto |
All of them received SUPERIOR and some of the students got SUPERIOR +
Judges have defined 5 WINNERS in the best performances during the Festival!
Their names: Alex Agnew, Deborah Brown, Andy Huang, Victoria Yang, Nina Yang!
Congratulations!
We have two
students, Alex Agnew and Andy Huang, who have received Nationwide Golden
Cups for 3 and 6 consecutive years in Piano Solo Performance!
It’s a great reward for the consistent practice which enabled them
to progress in developing musical skills.
They also performed with great success in the Golden Cup Recital.
With one to
two years many other students might earn Superior grade and receive Golden
Cup Trophy with their names engraved on it as well.
Chamber music Atlanta Camerata
ensemble (Olga McNail, George Butler, Raisa Parmentier) performed music
by Bach, Handel, Glinka and Rachmaninoff with the guest, violinist, Dean
of Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA, Mark Lakirovich in March 6, 2006.
·
GMTA (Georgia) Spring Local Audition
March 4, 2006
(INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED)
Spring is a season when students can present their achievements in many significant musical events on the different levels.
Four advanced students participated with very difficult programs (Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, Rachmaninoff) in the Spring Audition of the North Fulton brunch of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
Three of them: Alex Agnew, Victoria Yang and Katherine Zhang received the highest score – Outstanding Performance!
Andy Huang has received Award of Excellence.
The next level for OP --- State level in Athens.
We wish them
a great success in this serious and responsible event.
****
Your
teacher events:
Piano Duet Recital
(Raisa Parmentier - Dexter Shepherd)
January 6, 2006 Rivermont Music Salon
January 15, 2006 Steinway Piano Gallery
Febuary 10, 2006 Faculty recital of NMS at
the GSU. The programs included Rachmaninoff,
Debussy, Barber, Sibelius, and Kachaturian piano duet music.
****
“Magic
Piano” Studio Recital
December 4, 2005
One Hundred Point winners!
Heather McKay, Agnew Alex, Hammer Alex, Kungy Christiana, Wang Lin Vivian,
Rao Megdhna,
Yang Nina, Nithia Shree, Varshene Shree, David Solano, Caleb Kungy.
NFMTNA
Fall Festival Superior
winners!!
Irene Weng, Wang Lin Vivian,
Hammer Alex,
Shree Nithia, Varshenee Shree, Kathrine Zhang,
Yang Nina, Yang Victoria.
Our semi-annual Piano Studio Recital on May 21, 2005 at Clear Springs Baptist Church revealed new trophy winners:
-
50 points --
Heather MacKay
Tiffani Li
ShaninLi
Christiana Kungu
Itai Ben-Yishai
Alex Hammer -
100 points ! --
Paloma Boucher
Meghna Rao
Nina Yang
Alex Agnew
Points are
given for practice time, performance, theory work, memorization, reading
music articles and books, and participation in recitals, competitions and
festivals
Great job! The next goal---200 points!
+++++++++
On May 16, 2005, at the Steinway Piano Galleries, Yuval Kellner, the winner of the 2005 Alpharetta Outstanding Young Artist Competition, gave her last recital before returning to her home in Israel. She received much applause for her program, which included works of Bach (Prelude and Figue in G Minor, No.16, WTC, V2), Beethoven (Sonata No.23, “Appasionata”, mvt. III), Rachmaninoff (Prelude in G Minor, op.23), Chopin Nocturnes in C Minor, op.48, No.1 and in B-Flat Minor, Op.9, No.1), Liszt (Hungarian Rhapsody No.2) and Prokofieff. We wish her good luck in her endeavors!
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+++++++++
On
April 23, 2005, chamber group Atlanta Camerata (Raisa Parmentier,
Randy Cono, Olga McNeil…)gave a recital before an appreciative audience
at the
Cannon Chapel of the Emory University. The program featured the works of
Mozart, Beethoven, Bizet-Borne, and Rachmaninoff.
+++++++++
On
April 4, 2005 students Yuval Kellner, Michelle Wang and Victoria Yang successfully
performed in Atlanta Music Clubs recital at Steinway Piano
Gallleries
On March 13, 2005 your teacher Raisa Parmentier and students Yuval Kellner and Victoria Yang participated in Music for Missions concert at the United Methodist Church in Tucker. These advanced, disciplined and hard working students deserved applauds and recognition.
+++++++++
National
Federation Music Club Festival (MFMC) has been held on March 12,
2005 at the North River Baptist Church in Roswell.
14 students participated in this event:
Agnew
Alex |
Boucher
Paloma Behforouz Idean Fischer Alon Hammer Alex Huang Andy Rao Madhna Yang Victoria |
All
of the students received SUPERIOR!
Some of the students got SUPERIOR +, and Nina Yang received SUPERIOR ++
!!!
Alex Agnew and Paloma Boucher received as very distinctive performers Gift
Certificates in addition!
Excellent job! Congratulations.
Couple
more years with Superior grade and these students will get a trophy—Golden
Cup with their names engraved. |
 |
+++++++++
Febuary 5 2005, Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. Yuval Kellner played a very difficult program in the competition. (She is 13 years old) - Yuval Won!! Congratulations!
Piano judge, Dr.Priscilla Jefcoat from Brenau University highly evaluated her performance:
Nocturne in
C Minor by Chopin, op.48, No.1:
Very beautiful; sensitive. Excellent voicing. What a pleasure to hear such
musical playing from one your age!
Hungarian Rhapsody
No. 2 by Liszt:
Your technique is dazzling for your age!
Bravo!
---------------
Students
Alex Agnew, Victoria and Nina Yang participated
in the Fall Festival of MTNA in October, 30. All of them received Superior!
My congratulations to your success, achieved through hard work!
Keep going towards Spring Test Audition and competitions!
Michelle
Wang received AWard of Excellence
on challenging Bach competition on October 16, 2004.
Her performance was noticed by very professional, styled, and polished performance.
She also received very positive feedback from harpsichordist, prof. of School
of Music University of Michigan Edward Parmentier:"...clarity, very,
good rhythm, detailed sound, perfection of notes and ornaments.
...Perfrormance allows the music to sing, and to sound natural and easy
to follow..."
Several
students enjoyed participation in the Christmas recital of NFMTNA "Celebrate
with Music". Students Andy Huang, Nina
and Victoria Yang, Paloma,
Boucher, Alex Agnew, Samuel
and Sarah Boger performed on beautiful grand
piano at the North Point Mall on December 10, 2004.
25 students
participated at the Studio Recital at the Clear Springs Baptist Church on
December 12, 2004.
Students Nina Yang, Tamara Choksey, Medhna
Rao, and Michelle Wang reached 50 points for the
practice time,theoretical preparedness, and achivements in piano performance
this semester and received trophy! The next goal is 100 points!
~ Raisa
