There are more signs of life at the end of the COVID tunnel!

Orion Kim was accepted to the Young Artists Program of Yellow Barn, an international center for chamber music. One of the most prestigious programs of its kind in the world, the Young Artists Program brings together 32 instrumentalists from across the U.S. and abroad.

It was just announced that William (Will) Gannon, sophomore, is the 2021 First Place Winner and Orion Kim, freshman, is the Second Place Winner of the prestigious Thursday Musical Competition, Senior Division!!

Last Weekend, William (Will) Gannon (15) won 2nd Place in the 98th Annual Schubert Club Bruce P. Carlson Student Scholarship Competition, Piano II Category (Grades 10-12).

Last weekend, Orion Kim (15) won 2nd Place in the 64th annual Minnesota Orchestra Concerto Competition! He was awarded the Edwin Norberg Award, performing the 1st movement of Schumann’s Concerto in A minor.

Two weeks ago today on January 30th, 2021, Orion Kim (14) took Second Place in the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra’s Rising Stars Concerto Competition. Orion performed the first movement of Schumann’s Concerto in A minor. In addition, William Gannon (15) was awarded Honorable Mention, performing the first movement of Chopin’s Concerto No. 1 in E minor.

André Previn Peck took Second Place in The St. Paul Piano Teachers (SPPTA) Concerto Competition last Saturday! André just turned eleven years old and has been a member of our Premier Class just since last January. He is the youngest member of our studio to ever score so high up in this respected, long-standing, and rewarding event

William Gannon and Orion Kim were each named State Alternates in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Competition. Will received this recognition in the “Senior Performance” category (age 15-18), and Orion received this recognition in the “Junior Performance” category (age 11-14).

In this sterile environment of the Corona Virus, it is very gratifying that the Schubert Club was still able to offer - virtually - their legendary scholarship auditions. It is even more gratifying that our studio was honored with such great results. The students posted videos of the required programs on line and they were judged by top notch international artists from around the country.

On Saturday night, March 7th, Nita Qiu performed in the finals of the Rising Stars Concerto Competition of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. She was the winner of the $1,000. Jay and Dawn Jaehnke Award. It was indeed a magical night.

My, oh my, what a week Orion Kim has had! One week ago, our 14 year old Orion was informed that he had been accepted into the Music@Menlo Chamber Music Institute this summer. It is a highly prestigious program that features some of the world's greatest musicians as performers, teachers, and mentors.

Yesterday, January 18th, Nita Qiu and Bea Grant performed at the Rising Stars Concerto Competition of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra held at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The competition is open to high school students from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois aged 14-18 years.

Nita Qiu of Woodbury, Minnesota from Trinity School at River Ridge, has been named a 2020 National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) Merit winner in Classical Music/Piano. Qiu has been recognized for her caliber of artistic achievement and joins 686 of the nation's most accomplished artists in the visual, literary and performing arts.

Our thirteen-year-old, Orion Kim, was named the First Place Winner of the Saint Paul Piano Teachers Concerto Competition!! The event was held this past Saturday, December 7th, at the Recital Hall of Schmitt Music, Brooklyn Center.

Our seventeen year old Beatrice (Bea) Grant has had a wonderful summer of artistic development. Since her impressive Peoples' Choice Award and brilliant performance at Minnesota Public Radio's (MPR) Minnesota Varsity 2019 Showcase Concert at Ted Mann Concert Hall in May, Bea was the winner of a Schubert Club Grant and was selected to attend three very competitive summer academies.

Bea Grant's performance was chosen by vote as the listeners' favorite performance, thus bypassing the judges and given a coveted spot on the Showcase Concert!

It is hard to explain in words what it was like to watch Nita Qiu walk onstage of storied and beautiful Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis last Sunday, home of our world-renowned Minnesota Orchestra. And walk she did with her characteristic strength, determination, and beauty.

Honoring a special invitation from the Schubert Club, Beatrice Grant, Nita Qiu, and Austin Frohmader performed in the Master Class of the international pianist, Angela Hewitt. The class was held last Wednesday, January 30th, in the beautiful Guild Hall of the Plymouth Congregational Church, downtown Minneapolis.

Jasmine Jiang and Orion Kim continue the torrid pace of awards bestowed on our Premier Class of young artists. Last Saturday, Jasmine and Orion were among those selected, by audition, to have the honor and opportunity to perform with the Golden Valley Orchestra on March 10th.

We are proud and excited to announce that Bea Grant has been named a 2019 Featured Round Artist of Minnesota Public Radio's (MPR) Minnesota Varsity! As a result of this impressive and prestigious program, Bea will have the opportunity to make a professional recording of Franz Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12.

We are very happy to announce that Nita Qiu and Orion Kim are the winners of the Dakota Valley Symphony Orchestra's Concerto/Aria Competition!!