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 2025.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THESE AMAZING STUDENTS ON THEIR  
AWARD-WINNING PERFORMANCES, HONORS AND AWARDS!
 

On January 21, Michael Ciccarelli was selected to perform in a special masterclass, held at the Steinway Gallery in Lenexa, Kansas. Sean Chen, professor of piano at UMKC and Bronze Medalist at the 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition served as the Master Teacher.   Michael performed by memory Sonata, op 27, no. 2, 3rd movement, by Beethoven.  Michael was honored to perform for an audience and receive valuable feedback from Professor Chen. Congratulations Michael!

On September 20, the Missouri Music Teachers Association District Auditions were held at KC Piano in Overland Park, Kansas.  Eight students performed for Dr. Anthony Olson, professor of piano at Northwest Missouri State University, who served as adjudicator for this event.  Each student performed multiple compositions by memory from contrasting eras of keyboard music.  All eight of these students received a 1 rating!  This achievement qualified these students to perform and compete at the Missouri Music Teachers Association State Piano Competition in November.  These students are Rayna Ahn, Liam Hanna, Lillian Kim, Roselyn Kim, David Kim, Esther Kim, Aaron Shin, Sena Shin.  Congratulations to these students for their outstanding performances!

On October 19, thirteen students performed at the annual Fall Festival, sponsored by the Kansas City Music Teachers Association and held at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas.  This year, each student was required to perform by memory a composition selected from the Baroque Era.  Each student performed for an audience and an adjudicator.  Students received the adjudicator’s written critique, a certificate of achievement, a ribbon and a rating.  The following students performed and their ratings are as follows:  Rayna Ahn received Highest Honors, Jewel An received Highest Honors, Shine An received Special Merit; Cecelia Binaggio received Highest Honors; Michael Ciccarelli received Special Merit; Liam Hanna received Highest Honors; Lillian Kim received Special Merit; Roselyn Kim received Special Merit; David Kim received Highest Honors; Esther Kim received Special Merit; Isabelle McCaffree received High Honors; Nolan McGaughey received Highest Honors; Zoe O’Connell received Highest Honors.  The Special Merit award is given for exceptional performances.  Congratulations to these students for their outstanding performances!


On November 9, eight students performed and competed in their own individual grade level with other students from all over the state at the annual Missouri Music Teachers Association State Piano Competition held at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.  The following students performed multiple compositions from memory for an adjudicator and received a rating, a written critique, a certificate and a medal.

In each grade level a winner, runner-up, and 1-4 students are awarded honorable mention.  Each student competed with 15-20 other students in their age group.

Rayna Ahn, grade 3, received Honorable Mention; Liam Hanna, grade 12, received Honorable Mention: Lillian Kim, grade 7, received Honorable Mention; Roselyn Kim, grade 5 received a 1 rating; Esther Kim, grade 3 received Honorable Mention, David Kim, grade 4 received a 1 rating; Aaron Shin grade 4 received a 1 rating: Sena Shin, grade 5, received Honorable Mention.  Congratulations to these students for their outstanding performances!