We couldn’t be more excited to announce and congratulate our Encore piano all star line-up of 2019 North York Music Festival award winners from April and May 2019. EVERY STUDENT THAT PERFORMED IN THIS ENCORE PIANO COMPETITION WON AN AWARD IN THEIR CATEGORY! This is record breaking: 7 students from Encore Piano Studios participated and brought home an astounding 10 awards!!!
Every one of these performers gave it their 100% in preparation and in spirit, when it came to presenting their music. I could see it in all the lessons leading up to the presentation; seeing them give it their all and be immersed in the music was enough! What an AMAZING bonus it was that everyone brought back an award that commemorates their great efforts and this wonderful experience.
Thank you to all the parents who were there to support the students in their preparation during class and practice, every step of the way – we couldn’t have done it without you!
I’d like to share some comments from the adjudicators on the performances of our award winning students of Encore piano:
“Very expressive, focused playing – bravo!”
“Fine tempo – beautifully maintained… a balanced/poised performance. Well done!”
“A fine robust style, rhythms were crisp and accurate… a lovely range of dynamics and articulation”
“Lovely singing tone in right hand, well supported by the left”
“Great work with the swing rhythm! I liked your addition of extra dynamics!… a very polished performance”
“Very sensitive performance… phrase shaping well crafted, nice!
Encore Piano Studios’ 2019 North York Music Festival Piano Competition Award Winners
ALINE SARMAZIAN
1st Place Award — Piano Solo – Level 5, List A (“Minuet in G Minor” – Johann Sebastian Bach)
3rd Place Award — Piano Solo – Level 5, Etudes (“Sweet Sorrow” – Johann Friedrich Burgmuller)
AREK SARMAZIAN
1st Place Award — Piano Solo – Level 4, Popular Selections (“Medallion Calls” from Pirates of the Caribbean – )
CAROLINE CHAN
2nd Place Award — Piano Solo – Level 2, List A (“Allegretto in C Major” – Christian Gottlob Neefe)
2nd Place Award — Piano Solo – Level 2, List B (“The Sparkling Brook” – Margaret Goldston)
JUSTIN TAM
2nd Place Award — Piano Solo – Level 1, List B (“Red Satin Jazz” – Martha Mier)
HAN LE
1st Place Award — Piano Solo – Level 1, Etude (“A Swinging Leprechaun” – Mike Schoenmehl)
ELAINE AFFONSO
2nd Place Award — Piano Solo – Level 1, List C (“The Snake” – Christopher Renee)
YIYANG XUE
1st Place Award — Piano Solo – Level 2, Etudes (“The Wind” – Chee-Hwa Tan)
2nd Place Award — Piano Solo – Level 2, List B (“A Little Song” – Dimitri Kabalevsky)