We are thrilled to announce that Arwen Wei just won 1st Place at the Bonn Grand Prize International Competition & was invited to perform in Bonn, Germany. She also won 2nd Place at the Charleston International Music competition.
Arwen began her musical journey in our Harmony Road program and continued with private lessons with the late Dr. Alexander. She currently studies with Dr. Ilias.
Congratulations Arwen! Your outstanding accomplishments make us immensely proud!
Congratulations to Leo Wong for winning the 1st Prize at the Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition!
We are incredibly proud of your achievements and the recognition you've earned. Keep shining and inspiring us with your hard work!
1. What is your name and how old are you?
My name is Leo Wong and I am 7 years old.
2. How long have you been studying music and how old were you when you first started?
I have studied piano for 2 years. I started piano study when I was 5 years old.
3. Who is your teacher?
Lily is my piano teacher now.
4. What are you currently working on?
The Knight , op.100 no.25 by Friedrich Burgmuller
5. How often do you practice?
Almost everyday;
6. Why do you love music?
I like to play music with my little twin brother and sister together.
When I am playing piano, my little twins are singing the songs together with me. That makes us happy.
7. Tell us about some of your recent accomplishments.
* First Prize Winner of the 2023 "Golden Classical Music Awards" International Competition.
8. What are some things you like doing besides music?
Besides music,I like to play tennis, Lego and make videos to record happy times.
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be an astronaut or be a policeman when I grow up.
We're thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our amazing students - Haha Zhang!
This talented young pianist started lessons only 2 years ago. At just 6 years of age, he has won numerous competitions. We are so proud of his accomplishments and can't wait to see what the future holds for him.
1. What is your name and how old are you?
My name is Haha Zhang. I am 6 years old.
2. How long have you been studying music and how old were you when you first started?
I have been studying music for more than two years. I started learning piano when I was 4 years old.
3. What pieces are you currently working on?
I am working on "Pumpkin Boogie", "House of Mirrors" and "Beach Party" from Fabers' books.
5. How often do you practice?
I practice piano almost everyday.
6. Why do you love music?
I love Jazz music the most, because Jazz music can always make me feel excited!
7. Tell us about some of your recent accomplishments.
* First Prize Winner of the 2023 "Golden Classical Music Awards" International Competition.
* Championship of the 25th International Children and Youth Competition (Early Childhood Group).
* Bronze medal from the Quebec Music Competition (5-year-old group).
* Honorable Mention Award of the Bay Area Piano Competition (2022 Summer)
8. What are some things you like doing besides music?
Besides playing piano, I love sports, chess and playing video games.
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I would like to become a flag football player when I am a teenager.
For my career, I want to be a nature scientist or a mathematician.
We are thrilled to introduce you to Neil Iyer. He recently won the 1st prize at the 2023 Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition.
Neil will be taking the stage at the legendary Carnegie Hall in July for the winner's concert! This is a major accomplishment and a testament to Neil's hard work and dedication.
1. What is your name and how old are you?
I am Neil Iyer and I am 11 years old.
2. How long have you been studying music and how old were you when you first started?
I started playing piano at the age of 5 (and started learning the instrument at New Mozart). It was my first and only instrument. I have been playing it for 6 years now.
3. What pieces are you currently working on?
I am currently working on L'Orage by Bürgmuller, a variation of Folia, and a Sonatina in C major by Kuhlau.
4. How often do you practice?
I practice five days a week for twenty to forty-five minutes each day. I never practice on Saturdays, because that is when I have lessons with Dr. Sophia. I also have one other "cheat" day, where I don't practice, usually because I don't have time. Dr. Sophia says slow practice and practicing hard sections is important, so I do that a lot.
5. Why do you love music?
I like music because I enjoy playing and listening to it. I also compose music; it is just so fun to be able to control what you can play.
6. Tell us about some of your recent accomplishments.
Here are some accomplishments:
New Mozart Honors Recital of 2021 & 2022
American Youth Musician Union Competition in 2021 - Honorable Mention
Bay Area Piano competition (Aug 2022) - Merit Award
2023 Golden Classical Music International Competition - 1st Prize. I will be going to Carnegie Hall in July to perform.
7. What are some things you like doing besides music?
I like to read books, swim in the summer, and code.
8. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I've not completely decided yet, but it will definitely have to do with science and music.
In this photo, Penelope performs at the Musikverein in Vienna as the 1st Prize Winner of the Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition.
Penelope also just returned after performing at Carnegie Hall on July 21st as the 1st Prize Winner of the Golden Classical Music Competition.
1. What is your name and how old are you?
My name is Penelope Cheung, and I am 8 years old.
2. How long have you been studying music and how old were you when you first started?
I have loved music since I was a baby, I think. I was 4 years old when I started playing piano (in the Harmony Road Program with Ms. Christine). I started playing violin when I was 5 years old.
3. Who is your teacher?
My teacher is Marcia.
4. What pieces are you currently working on?
On the piano, I am working on Bach’s Gigue from Partita #1, Schuman’s Fantasy Dance, and Chopin’s Nocturne in C-sharp minor.
On the violin, I’m working on Monti’s Czardas and Massenet’s Meditation from Thais.
5. How often do you practice?
I try to practice music everyday.
6. Why do you love music?
I like the way music sounds and makes me feel.
7. Tell us about some of your recent accomplishments.
For Piano:
· New Mozart Distinguished Honors Student (2020 and 2022)
· New Mozart Practice Challenge (2021 and 2022)
· 2020 Bay Area Music Association US International Open Music Competition – 3rd place
· 2021 US Open Music Competition – 2nd place (Open Solo)
· 2021 Bay Area Music Association US International Open Music Competition – 3rd place
· 2022 Golden Classical Music Awards – 1st prize
· 2022 US Open Music Competition – 3rd place (Showcase Piano Solo), 4th place (Open Solo), 4th place (Treasury of Romantic Composers)
· 2022 Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition Vienna – 1st prize
· 2022 Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition London – 1st prize
· 2022 Crescendo Little Mozarts International Competition – 1st place
For Violin
· 2021 Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition London – 1st prize
· 2021 Bay Area Music Association US International Open Music Competition – 2nd place
· 2021 Crescendo Little Mozarts International Competition – 1st place
· 2021 Golden Classical Music Awards – 1st prize
· 2021 Prima Volta Music Competition – 3rd place
· 2021 Elite International Music Competition – 2nd place
· 2021 Crescendo International Music Competition – 3rd place
8. What are some things you like doing besides music?
I like to dance ballet, sing, ski, ice skate, swim, make food with my dad, make YouTube videos, play with my family and my cute little brother, travel with my family, play with my friends, and explore and learn about new things. You can watch my videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/1612ca/videos
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I don’t know yet. I want to be many things when I grow up.
Congratulations to New Mozart's talented students who have recently won competitions and completed various exams!
Penelope C - First Prize Winner, Golden Classical Music Competition (will perform at Carnegie in the winner’s concert in July). Third Prize Winner, Open Music Competition (Showcase Piano Solo)
Vinca L - Second Prize Winner, American Protégé International Music Talent Competition (will perform at Carnegie Hall in 2023) Third Prize Winner, US Open Piano Competition
Cory T - Third Prize Winner, New Stars Music Competition
Ella M - First Place at SFBAC NATS auditions in Children's Classical Music division,
& First Place in Children's Musical Theatre division
Ria C - Spongebob Squarepants in Spongebob Squarepants The Musical and played The Old Woman as well as being a featured vocalist in The Old Man and the Old Moon both shows at Menlo-Atherton High School and will be attending Harvard University in the fall
Margaret D - The Mayor in Spongebob Squarepants the Musical and Matheson, a main character and narrator of the show in The Old Man and The Old Moon both at Menlo-Atherton High School
Krisaana G- Peninsula Youth Theatre debut as Mal in Descendants The Musical and will be featured in their next show as Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof
Benjamin V- Gunn High School Choir Musical
Logan L - Warren in "Ordinary Days" by Adam Gwon in back to back shows at Mid-Pen High School.
Jackson L. - ABRSM grade 1 with Distinction
Ritam S- ABRSM level 5 with Distinction
Olivia L. - ABRSM grade 2 with Merit
Adi B. - ABRSM level 5
Indigo Y - ABRSM initial grade with Distinction
Chloe W - ABRSM grade 3 with Distinction
Cory T - ABRSM grade 1 with Distinction
Maya C - Certificate of Merit level 6 with State Honors
Mira P - Certificate of Merit level 6
Kingston N. - Certificate of Merit level 3 with State Honors
Steven S - Certificate of Merit level 8 with State Honors
Sophie W - Certificate of Merit level 8
Upasana H - Certificate of Merit level 6 with State Honors
Chloe W - Certificate of Merit Level 7
Congratulations to New Mozart Honor Students 2022 for making the honor roll this year!
New Mozart Distinguished Honor Students are presented certificates commemorating their achievements and will be performing in the honors recital on March 20th and March 27th.
New Mozart Honors Recital March 1, 2020
Zacharie Aaron-Pracht
Adi Banwasi
Lukas Bau
Alisha Bernatzki
Anna Birman
Malaika Boros
Simon Braun
Beatrice Capodieci
Alice Cavalotti
Zoey Chan
Jasper Chan
Penelope Cheung
Siddharth Chidambaram
Debby Chu
Ella Cohen
Ria Cuellar-Koh
Chiara D'Agostino
Nickolas Daily
Dhriti Deepak
Aditya Deka
Zara Donepudi
Paxon Fatehi
Paloma Fatehi
Jordan Greenberg
Isabela Grimmer
Soham Gupta
Austin Guydish
Sarabeth Huang
Neil Iyer
Ayan Iyer
Lukas Jelks
Zoe Jovanovic
Hana Jovanovic
Ella Katila-Mikkulainen
Mei Tsai Knutson
Elijah Leppert
Vinca Lu
Valentina Marinucci
Yazan Massarweh
Paul McBurney
Alli Miikkulainen-Katila
Ella Miikkulainen-Katila
Nicola Montanari
Jiya Naik
Malhar Nair
Marlene Ng
Mira Poeta
Charlotte Ranisavljevic
Evelin Ren
Leo Shang
Sherry Shao
Steven Shu
Aidan Sighn
Anoushka Sinha
Kipling Song
Kelly Tanaka
Adalyn Tao
Shreya Tiruvury
Claire Truong
Cory Tsai
Matias Velasquez
Keaton Wan
Chloe Wu
Megan Xu
Lyra Yang
Nathalia Yang
Ayla Yarnall
Helena Ye
Annabel Zhao
New Mozart Honor Students are presented certificates commemorating their achievements.
Yohann Aaron-Pracht
Matthew Arradaza
Tlali Behar-Andrade
Paloma Boros
Yue Cao
Antoine Cetin
Inhoo Chang
Mikl Choi
Tiffany Chou
Evelyn Chu
Amanda Dharmawan
Timothy Feng
Abigail Friedland
Madeline Gifford
Robin Gray
Krisaana Gunsagar
Sophie Hackworth
Upasana Halder
Chantal Herath
Jeremiah Hollingsworth
Bennet Huang
Anya Jain
Avni Jain
Adam Ji
Eleanor Jiang
Jacob Jonson
Hana Jovanovic
Arnav Kamath
Jugat Kholi
Charlie Klinkner
Grace Knowles
Genevieve Knowles
Kay Knutson
Elsa Lagarblad
Joseph Lee
Toran Lento
Asher Leppert
Jackson Leung
Paul Liu
Luke Liu
Taylor Liu
Meredith Ma
Julia Marcos
Emma Martin
Sigourney Miskowicz
Guillermo Moreira
Aritra Nag
Naveen Narayanaswami
Camille Paldi
Alicia Pelley
Aria Poeta
Nia Porter
Kai Porter
Saina Priyadarshi
Harrison Rampell
Reina Rampell
Cameron Rampell
Alex Rampell
Pedro Rivadeneira
Rafael Rodrigo
Ritam Saha
Annelise Sailer
Nadhini Santhanam
Matias Santisteban
Sophie Shand
Shiv Sitaram
Claire Spence
Allyson Spence
Artem Tesov
Ishana Tewari
Alex Tong
Wesley Tsai
Rylan Tsai
Charlotte Urban
Iker Vahamaki
Benjamin Vakil
Aarthi Venkatraman
Elizabeth Wahl
Arwen Wei
Kate Wong
Zara Wong
Chloe Wu
Isaac Xun
Michelle Yi
Spencer Young
Indigo Young
Dean Zaba
Cindy Zhang
Haha Zhang
Evelyn Zhao
1 What is your name and how old are you?
My name is Claire Truong, I am 8 years old.
2. How long have you been studying piano and how old were you when you first started?
I have been learning piano for 3 years. I started with Harmony Road at the age of 5.
3. Who is your teacher?
My current teacher is Teacher Tong, who is a wonderful teacher. :)
4. What pieces are you currently working on?
I am currently working on Sonate 16 in C Major by Mozart and Invention No. 1 by Bach. I love Mozart!
5. How often do you practice?
I practice at least an hour a day.
6. Why do you love music?
Music is magical. Music gives me joy and music helps me to relax.
7. Tell us about some of your recent accomplishments. (you can include practice challenge. honor roll etc)
I was Distinguished Honor Student twice, I also received a New Mozart Plaque (collect 12 consecutive practice challenge certificates) as well as a New Mozart Trophy (collect 6 consecutive practice challenge certificates).
8. What are some things you like doing besides music?
I like drawing, crafting and sewing.
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up, I want to be a great pianist.
