Students studying with Essential Music Lessons have access to a wide variety of opportunities for casual performance to intense competition, at a local, state-wide, national, or even international level!
WiP (Works-in-Progress) Shares
Several times a year, students in the Essential Music Lessons studio meet online as a group to present what they are currently working on in a low-key, casual environment. Students get to know their peers and encourage and inspire one another while playing in the comfort of their own home.
End-of-Year Recitals
Recitals provide an opportunity for students to perform for friends and family, showing what they have achieved in the last year. This is a more formal event, held in-person in a church or local hall with a baby grand piano. Refreshments are provided after the performance. (Online students will also have an event for the same purpose.)
Composer’s Club
Once a month, students have the opportunity to explore composition in an online Saturday morning Composer’s Club. There, they learn about music composition and work on a small project.
Solo/Ensemble Festival*
The state-wide Solo/Ensemble Festival* provides music students with an opportunity to perform privately for an adjudicator and be assessed according to a rubric. Awards include certificates and/or medals, and possible invitation to participate in a recital. Students find this event encouraging and meaningful in their musical development. *Not available in all states.
Summer Camp
Summer is a great time to spend a whole week with other kids who love music! Activities include musical games, piano lab, private lessons, theory, and composition. Students make great strides in musical knowledge during summer camp! Camps are available for beginning and progressing students.
Other Competitions and Programs
As a member of several professional organizations, I can guide ambitious students toward appropriate competitions, exams, calls for scores, and competitive programs in piano, theory, and composition. Many of these are regional, national, or even international opportunities.
Piano, Theory, Composition and More! 