After winning the American Protege Concerto Competition, Sarah Parigela performed Wieniawski's Scherzo Tarantella in Carnegie Hall. (Copy)
Sarah Parigela performing Scherzo Tarantella by Wieniawski at Carnegie Hall.
Six out of Six!
It was a stellar week when six of my students participated in competitions and six brought home trophies. It started with Ivan Kuntsevich and Ken Xiao both winning 2nd place in their categories at the Satori Competition. Then Katie Chen, Jim Eastmond, and Ken Xiao all came in 2nd at the Southern Youth Music Festival (SYMF). The crowning glory came the following day when Luc Chen won 1st place at SYMF. I couldn’t be more proud!
Satori Summer Music Festival
Bravo to Ivan Kuntsevich for winning 2nd place in his very first competition! Ken Xiao also took 2nd place in the American Category with the Barber Violin Concerto.
Magnolia at Colburn
Magnolia Liu enjoyed the Chamber Music Intensive at the Colburn School this summer. Earlier this year she won 3rd place in the Musical Arts of Orange County Competition, playing Sarasate’s Introduction and Tarantella.
Los Angeles Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Junior Chamber Music.
Sophia Isakov shown here with her trio from Junior Chamber Music. She also enjoyed playing at Disney Hall with the Los Angeles Phiharmonic Youth Orchestra. We are fortunate to have so many excellent ensembles for young musicians in southern California.
Certificate of Merit
Bravo to my students who participated in the Music Teacher’s Association Certificate of Merit. This comprehensive study requires technique, etudes, solos, theory, and sight-reading. Several of my students received top marks in all categories, and Magnolia Liu completed level 10 (the most advanced) at the age of 11.
Side-by-Side at Pacific Symphony with Concertmaster Lyndsey
It’s great to see Lyndsey Lipscomb playing Concertmaster at the Side-by-Side concert with Pacific Symphony and Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra
Cho-Liang Lin at Montecito Festival
Ken Xiao learned from many excellent musicians, such as Cho-Liang (Jimmy) Lin, at the Montecito Festival. Prior to this, Ken won 1st place in the Antelope Valley Concerto competition, providing a cash prize as well as performance opportunities.
Working with former students.
It’s a special treat to perform with former students. Daniel Oguri plays viola in the Pacific Symphony and administers Heartstrings and Community outreach programs for the orchestra.
Musicians in Motion
Yoga instructor and massage therapist Lauren Schmid led an excellent workshop created especially for musicians, keeping us strong, flexible, and injury-free.
Darryn Smalley Luthier
It’s possible to find a fabulous and affordable violin by a contemporary maker. I’m thrilled with my new fiddle from award-winning maker Darryn Smalley.