Katz Piano Studio

This was a busy year for a select group of my students who worked hard for months preparing for performances!  Below are their tremendous accomplishments, beginning in early 2024.

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THESE AMAZING STUDENTS ON THEIR  

AWARD-WINNING PERFORMANCES, HONORS AND AWARDS!

 

 

Michael Ciccarelli 

 

Michael Ciccarelli was selected to join the senior group of Kansas City Young Chamber Musicians.  The members of this group are advanced high school musicians and are required to audition for the opportunity to be coached by members of the KC Symphony and musicians on the faculties of Kansas City area colleges and universities for an 11-week session.  The weekly lessons culminated in a public performance at Music Academy of Kansas City on March 30th.  Michael’s chamber group performed Francis Poulenc’s Trio for Oboe, Cello and Piano.  

On September 21st, Michael participated in the Kansas City Music Teachers “Master Lessons”. Dr. Xiting Yang, assistant piano professor from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, was the Master Teacher.  As a result of Michael’s lesson with Dr. Yang, Michael was invited to the University of Arkansas to perform in a Masterclass on October 26th, which was led by Dr. Logan Skelton, a pianist, composer and sought-after teacher who has concertized throughout the world. Michael was one of only four high school pianists to perform for Dr. Skelton.  Dr. Skelton is a juror on many international piano competitions around the world.  He is currently the Director of Doctoral Studies in Piano Performance at the University of Michigan.    

Michael auditioned for and was selected to perform in a Masterclass with concert pianists, Christina and Michelle Naughton, at the first joint state conference for the Kansas Music Teachers Association and Missouri Music Teachers Association, held at the University of Missouri Kansas City, Conservatory of Music on September 28th. Michael was one of only four students in Missouri and Kansas selected to perform for the Naughton sisters, who currently concertize around the world, regularly performing together the classical duet repertoire. 

 

 

Missouri Music Teachers Association District Auditions 

 

Michael Ciccarelli, Isabella Douglas, Lillian Kim, Roselyn Kim, David Kim, and Esther Kim performed at KC Piano in Overland Park, Kansas on September 22nd for Dr. Mia Kim, Professor of Piano at the University of Central Missouri.  She gave each one of these students a 1 rating which entitled them to move on to the Missouri Music Teachers Association State Piano Competition.

 

 

Kansas City Music Teachers Association Fall Festival 

 

Jewel An, Shine An, Reid Battmer, Cecelia Binaggio, Michael Ciccarelli, Ava Douglas, Isabella Douglas, Aidan Hanna, Liam Hanna, Lillian Kim, Roselyn Kim, David Kim, Esther Kim, and Hannie Young all performed for an adjudicator at this annual event held at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas on October 6th.  Each student received a rating.  Roselyn received High Honors; Jewel An, Shine An, Reid Battmer, Ava Douglas, Aidan Hanna, Liam Hanna, Lillian Kim, David Kim, Hannie Young received Highest Honors; Cecelia Binaggio, Michael Ciccarelli, Isabella Douglas and Esther Kim each received a Special Merit Award for an exceptional performance. 

 

 

Missouri Music Teachers Association State Piano Competition 

 

Michael Ciccarelli, Isabella Douglas, Lillian Kim, Roselyn Kim, David Kim and Esther Kim performed and competed against students within their own grade level on November 10th at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Isabella Douglas, Lillian Kim, and Esther Kim each received a 1 rating.  David Kim, Grade 3 and Roselyn Kim, Grade 4 each received an Honorable Mention.  Michael Ciccarelli was awarded the WINNER of the 10th grade.  These children all competed against accomplished piano students from all over the state of Missouri.