nov22

Meet Teacher Maria

Meet New Mozart’s amazing new teacher! Maria teaches voice and piano currently and will also be teaching Songwriting & Harmony Road classes starting next semester.

Teacher Maria is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Cali, Colombia (Latin America). She came to the US to follow her passion for music and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Music Industry from The College of Saint Rose. Growing up, she won various singing competitions and was an opener for big music festivals in Colombia. Now, under the artist name “Ria Carval”, Maria’s debut album “Ignorance” has more than 57k streams and her main singles have reached radio, blogs, magazines, newspapers and TV appearances worldwide. Her vocal training is very diverse after experiencing classes with remarkable opera, gospel, musical theatre and even rock singers. She also learned piano at a young age, was trained on jazz and contemporary piano techniques and it is now the instrument she uses to write songs on the daily. After being a music educator for almost 3 years, Maria has discovered a passion in teaching children the magic and welcoming nature of music. In everything she does her purpose “Feel To Heal” is what makes her a great teacher. “I want my students to learn that feeling is ok, and music can become a place for them to dream, grow and embrace their uniqueness and potential”.

Student Highlight - Penelope Cheung

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.

Recent New Mozart Student Accomplishments

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