Keyboard Competition

A BIG congratulations to SOPHI DEUCHER (Division I) and LAUREN CRAWFORD (Division II), as well as my daughter FAITH (Division III)! They all were selected as finalists --six chosen in each division--last weekend in the highly competitive Encore Keyboard Competition. They each received a cash award and medal. I'm a proud teacher!

Fall Recital September 2014

Top: Amanda, Annika Pitcher, Anika Baker, Andrew Pitcher, Sadi Kelley
Bottom: Xana Thorson, Brady Mark, Sophi Deucher, Clark Baker

Another awesome recital with my younger students! The oldest performer was Anika Baker. She is 12 now, and has studied with me for 6 years and played a Chopin Polonaise. The youngest performer was Brady Mark, who is 6 years old. It was his first recital. He has only had a few months of lessons, but played perfectly. I am so proud of the hard work that all of these students have put in and I can't wait to see their progress in the next few years. They will be amazing! (and already are)

Ansley Funes

I love this time of year, as I get to add a few new students to my studio! Let me introduce you to Ansley Funes:

(from her mother)

Ansley Funes age 15 has been playing the piano since she was five — ­­it’s her passion. She comes from a rich heritage of accomplished pianists and musicians. Music is in her blood. She loves creating original pieces of music. Ansley has diversified her musical abilities by learning, in addition the piano, flute, ukulele, guitar and voice. She is currently on the Ballroom Dance Team, Aria Girls Choir and Momentum Dance Team at Timpanogos High School. One thing that I have learned about Ansley is, she achieves anything she puts her mind to, and does it extremely well. She loves to be challenged musically, spiritually, scholastically, mentally and physically. She has 3 younger sisters and one older brother. Our favorite thing about Ansley is that she has a big heart and is friendly and compassionate to everyone.

FAITH NIXON with Utah Valley Symphony

My daughter, Faith, was selected as a winner in the annual Young Artists' Concert last weekend for the Utah Valley Symphony. She will be the youngest performer on the program at age 12 and will be performing Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2, 3rd mov't. I had so much fun accompanying her for her audition. The concert is October 15th and 16th at Covey Arts Center and tickets can be purchased online.

Welcome Noah Pierce!

Noah is a bright five year old boy with a brilliant imagination. He loves cars, volacanoes, dirt, anything you might suppose a boy would like. His favorite thing of all is music. He has a good ear for rhythm and harmony. Noah says he would like to either build houses or be a doctor when he grows up. One of Noah's favorite things is to go to Nauvoo and participate in the pageant every summer. This was his 5th summer in Nauvoo, and he can sing any of the pageant songs for you. (From his mother, Liberty) 

(From me:) Noah's father, Jared, is a fabulous pianist and assistant musical direct of the Nauvoo pageant. He received his MM from BYU, studying with Dr. Irene Peery-Fox and is working on his DMA. His mother is a classical singer and received her BM in Vocal Performance at BYU. It's not wonder Noah loves music so much!

Welcome Brady Mark!

Welcome new student--Brady Mark

From his mom: 
Only a few weeks into lessons, Brady already loves playing the piano. Brady is 6 years old and about to enter 1st grade. Brady also loves Legos, chocolate milk, and movies (favorites include Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, X-Men). Ironically, because Brady is generally extremely loving and cautious, Brady always loves to be the "bad guy" (see Brady pretending to be Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter) and plans to be a movie director when he grows up.

Sadi Kelley's First Solo Recital

Sadi performed her First Solo Piano Recital on April 4th. She did a fantastic job at Piano Gallery! She chose a teal trophy. I am very proud of her as she completed this in just one year of piano lessons.

Lauren's Second Solo Recital

Lauren Crawford performed her Second Solo Recital at her home on April 3rd. Lauren chose a teal trophy. She played beautifully on their Steinway grand. 
(I tried to capture a picture.) Congratulations Lauren!

Encore Theory and Ear Training Test Scores March 2014

Impressive scores this year from every student! 

I hope you learned a lot! Here are some scores:

Encore Theory/Ear Training/History Exam

Test Scores 2014

Name	Level	Theory	Ear Training	Average
Sophi	1	100	100	100
Annika	2	94	100	97
Sadi	2	100	100	100
Parker	3	100	100	100
Brock	3	96	92	94
Clark	3	94	96	95
Makayla	3	100	92	96
Gabi	4	97	98	98
Lauren	4	98	92	95
Andrew	4	97	98	98

Sophi Deucher Performs her First Solo Recital

On January 29th, 2014, Sophi Deucher completed her first Solo Recital. She chose PINK for her  trophy upon completion. She performed 15 polished pieces by memory. It was a wonderful celebration of A LOT of work! Hurray Sophi! (And...hurray for new repertoire!)

Sophi with Del Moody and Chris Moody--her grandparents, my parents

Sophi's duet partner (and now BFF) came to support her on this special occasion

A very proud teacher and Aunt! Good job Sophi!

Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM)--What does that mean?

I was so excited to receive this certificate,
but sad that it already has a dent. 

Today I received my Permanent Professional Certified Teacher of Music in Piano credential given by MTNA (Music Teachers National Association). To become Nationally Certified was quite a process: I had to take a comprehensive pedagogy test, provide proof that my students participate actively in recitals, festivals and competitions, provide proof of myself as a performer and accompanist, show my knowledge and understanding of students cognitive and social growth as pianists to develop a course of study for each student, show basic professional and ethical business practice, etc. After meeting and maintaining the Certification Standards for 12 years, I now hold the Permanent Professional Certification status. For the public, certification helps readily identify competent music teachers in their communities. When looking up teachers, you may find "NCTM" after their name. This means they are a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music.

"The MTNA certification program provides perhaps the single best indicator to our society that MTNA and its members view the teaching of music as a profession requiring not only dedication but intense preparation." R. Wayne Gibson, NCTM

Winners' Concert in Assembly Hall on Temple Square

March 5th, 2014: Ava performed Mendelssohn's Concerto in D Minor, 3rd movement, as the 1st Place Winner of the Jr. High Division of the UMTA Concerto Competition.

Not only did she look beautiful, but she played beautifully as well!

The Studio had a fantastic RECITAL held at Piano Gallery

"NIXON NOTES PIANO STUDIO" 

PERFORMERS

February 13th, 2014

(clearer pictures next time, I promise)

MOV

Left to Right Top Row: Karly Lenhart, Hannah Harkness, Parker Thorson, Amanda Nixon, Ava Baker
Middle Row Left to Right: Makayla Harris, Andrew Pitcher, Sadi Kelley
Front Row Left to Right: Lauren Crawford, Annika Pitcher, Angel Nixon, Clark Baker, Brock Baker, and half of Anika Baker (sorry Anika)

Download 

It was my daughter Angel's first recital.

 Angel is 5 and studies with Dr. Irene Peery-Fox, (who was my teacher from age 11 to 25.)
Teaching your own children is trickier than I ever imagined. Angel loves piano and begs me not to take a day off. Practicing is such a joy with her--after every item she runs through the house being chased by me for "tickles". So, it's a work out also. She performed "Good-bye to Winter" and "Little Playmates."

It was Karly Lenhart's last recital.

Karly will be attending BYU as a Piano Performance Major, studying with Dr. Irene Peery-Fox. I have taught Karly since she was 7, so it was a bitter-sweet moment for me as her teacher. She has blossomed into an incredible pianist who is sought after already as an accompanist, teacher, and even performer (TSO). Her sight reading abilities are fantastic and she is a captivating performer. I can't wait to see what her future holds. 

Sr. Solo Festival

Parker Thorson received a Superior rating in the Sr. Solo Festival! Good job Parker!

AVA BAKER wins 1st PLACE in the UMTA (Utah Music Teachers' Association) CONCERTO COMPETITION, Jr. High Division!! 

• Ava competed Friday, February 14th, in SLC against competitors from all around Utah. There were students from Logan, SLC, Utah County, and even Vernal. 
• She received $100! When asked what she will do with the $100 check it was an easy reply, "I already cashed it in for $100 bill and I'm saving it for Disneyland!" 
• As the First Place Winner, Ava will perform in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square on March 5th at 7:30pm.
• The Winner's Concert is free and open to the public. I hope you will all go support Ava and watch the winners from the competition perform. 
• My former student (and current student of Dr. Irene Peery-Fox at BYU) HANNAH HARKNESS, accompanied her and will play with her at the Winner's Concert.

Here is a short clip of Ava "warming up" her Mendelssohn Concerto. 

Ava is 13 years old.

CONGRATULATIONS to ANDREW PITCHER, SOPHIA DEUCHER, and SADI KELLEY who were selected as "Outstanding Performers"in their divisions of Encore's Jr. Solo Festival. They performed in an Honors Recital and were given a $20 cash award and ribbon. There were 200 participants total in the festival. 

Andrew Pitcher, 4th grade - 100

Sophi Deucher, 2nd grade - 100

Sadi Kelley, 2nd grade - 98

The following students also participated and ALL received SUPERIOR ratings!

Anika Baker - 98

Makayla Harris - 100

Annika Pitcher - 100

Brock Baker - 97

Clark Baker - 97