Chopin Academy of Music

March 2009

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Future Stars Today at CAM

2010 Seattle International Piano Competition at Benaroya Hall

Finalist, Ages 14-18, Max Wang

2010 NW Festivals: Romantic Festival

First Prize, Max Wang
First Prize, Robert Yan
Second Prize, Alex Camai
Second Prize, Sena Hove
Third Prize, Sophia Beams
Third Prize, Allen Lu
Honorable Mentions: Thomas Fung, Ben Yu, Ana Chen, Dylan Go, Noela Lu
First Prize for Chamber Music, Alex Camai, piano, Maria Kiesewetter, violin
Second Prize for Chamber Music, Anna Kiesewetter, violin
Third Prize for Chamber Music, Rebecca Li, violin, Claire Lin, piano

2010 NW Festivals: Contemporary Festival

First Place, Jonathan Staley
Second Place, Alex Donka
Honorable Mentions: Sophia Beams, Henry Gao, Sena Hove, Erica Li, Tasha Mok

2009 Sonatina Festival

First Prize, Jonathan Staley
Honorable Mention, Henry Gao

2009 Bach Festival

First Prize, Max Wang
Second Prize, Claire Lin
Second Prize, Catherine Oei
Second Prize, Nicholas Reasoner
Second Prize, Jonathan Staley
Second Prize, Meili Zhang

2009 Seattle International Piano Competition at Benaroya Hall

Gold Medal (age 9 and under category), Robert Yan

Awarded for the best performance of:

... a Song Without Words by Mendelssohn, Robert Yan
... of Szymanowski, Alex Camai

Students

Students of the Chopin Academy of Music belong to an elite group of people who share the bond of music. The following pages detail important information and valuable considerations for prospective students, whether one is a child or an adult, as well as a place to display the merits and accolades of our many talented students.

Scroll down to see samples on YouTube of our students' playing.

Prospective Students

What Makes Us Different?
It is obvious to us that when one takes into account our faculty, accomplishments, and facilities, that the number one answer is quality.

Did You Know That…
Currently in the United States, no legislation exists to control who is teaching private music lessons to the community. By comparison, one needs certification and licensing to open a hair salon.

A Word About Frederic Chopin...
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) was a legendary romantic composer of Polish origin. Throughout his entire life, his concert appearances numbered less than forty. Showcasing himself was not his primary concern, as was the case for many other virtuosi of the day.

Current Students

Our congratulations to so many of our students for the high honors they have received in the 2009-10 academic year. Keep up the great work!
Read More

Hear in the words of our students and colleagues what they think about us...

"The faculty share their consummate artistry with students at the Chopin Academy of Music, which is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the finest such schools in the country." --Dr. Mark Clinton, Professor of Music at the University of Nebraska
"You are the kindest teacher I've ever had. You taught me the joy of playing the piano." --Emi, collegiate piano student
"I have learned and improved a lot these few years. Because of you, I've learned more about the piano than I ever imagined." --Amy, age 12
"I love taking piano lessons with Ivona because she picks such fun music to play and I even get to write and play my own songs. She even makes up games to play! Ivona's really fun to have as a teacher." --Madeline, age 5 beginner
"Before I started taking lessons from Miodrag, I felt uncomfortable even holding my violin and my fingers were terribly slow. I couldn't get in touch with my instrument. After only two months of Miodrag's instruction, I feel completely free and confident when playing and I am in love with the violin more than ever before!" --Hilda, adult student
"Our daughter, now 9, took piano lessons from Chris and Ivona for 2 years. Chris and Ivona are ideal teachers for small children; friendly and encouraging, yet always adhering to the highest standards in technique, musical sensitivity, and performance artistry. The studio's frequent recital opportunities were a great help to Adriane in the development of poise and self confidence. For a family serious about their child's musical development, it would be hard to imagine a better studio in which to receive an introduction to the piano." --Henry and Kathy Wolf, parents
"When I first came to Chris, I started to sense that my skill level as a classical pianist hit a plateau, but Chris helped me to overcome that obstacle with his effective instruction and, most importantly, his encouragement. I began playing pieces, like Liszt's La Campanella, that I thought were nearly impossible for my skill level. Chris is unquestionably a gifted and knowledgeable teacher who is capable of seeing the true potential in his students, and he utilizes this gift to help his students mature as musicians." --Daniel, age 21 advanced collegiate
"I like playing all my songs and Miodrag is the best teacher! My favorite part of the lesson is when we play songs together" --Sarah, age 7 beginner
"Piano instruction with Ivona has been one of the most important aspects of my studies. Her lessons instill not only good piano technique, but how to be a good musician: to hear and feel the music rather than just recite it. I always leave my lessons feeling inspired and relaxed. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to be able to receive lessons of this caliber, especially as a beginning pianist." --Jason, adult beginner
"Ivona has been my piano teacher for two years now. My love for music and piano playing continues to grow thanks to her. Even though the lessons are challenging, we still have fun and I really enjoy Ivona as my teacher." --Danielle, age 10 intermediate
"With their help and guidance, I was accepted at three different schools and received scholarships totaling over $21,000! Ivona and Chris kept me inspired and gave me new ideas...I was fortunate to have them as teachers." --Ayako Ishida, age 24
"Miodrag's coaching helped us a lot in becoming a real chamber group, now we really understand how to communicate with each other. We are having fun playing together." --Jonathan, age 15 intermediate
Chopin Academy Students Perform...
Henry, age 8 at the CAM Honors Recital in Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue, June 2010, playing John Field Nocturne in B Flat Major, click here Henry, age 8 received Honorable Mention at the SIPF Contemporary Festival in Apil, 2010, performing "Tickling Toes" by Florence Price, click here Henry, age 8 at the Bach Festival and receiving an Honorable Mention in the Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, playing J. S. Bach's Sinfonia No. 15 in B Minor, click here Alex, age 10 performing Chopin's Etude in E major, Op. 10, No. 3, click here Alex, age 10 performing Chopin's Etude in F minor, Op. 25, No. 2 in the Frye Art Museum as part of a fundraising event for the Seattle International Piano Festival, click here Alex, age 9 performs Mozart's Sonata in B Flat Major K 570 in Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue as part of Chopin's Academy Honors Recital 2009, click here Alex, age 10 got an a Special Prize at the Seattle International Piano Festival 2009 for the work of Karol Szymanowski: here performing a Mazurka from "Four Polish Dances" at Benaroya Hall Seattle, click here Thomas, age 8 received Honorable Mention at the SIPF Romantic Festival 2010. Here performing Chopin's Polonaise in G Minor, Op Posth., click here Maria (violin) and Alex (piano), ages 8 and 9 - winners of the Romantic Festival SIPF: here performing in Benaroya Hall Seattle Dvorak's Humoresque, click here Maria, violin, age 9 performs Bach in a concert of the Chopin Academy of Music in Issaquah, click here Anna, violin age 6 performs in Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue as part of the Honors Recital of the Chopin Academy of Music, Issaquah, Here performing Bach's Minuet in G Major, click here Nile, age 6 playing Bach's F major Invention, click here Alex, age 9 playing Chopin's B major Nocturne, Op. 32, click here Henry, age 6 playing Diabelli's Sonata at Benaroya Hall, click here Alex, age 9 playing Kuhlau's Sonatina in C major, Op. 55, No. 3 - i. Allegro, click here Henry, age 6 playing Sonatina in C major, Op 55, No 3, click here Alex, age 9 playing Bach's Sinfonia at the Bach Festival in Seattle, click here Henry, age 6 playing Kabalevsky's A minor Etude, click here