Piano Students Travel Through France

Four of my students were able to travel to France for Spring Break. (photo L-R) Kylie Erickson, Whitney Wood, Caitlyn Dyer, and Andrew Stephenson. They are members of the Mayors Youth Advisory Council. MYAC students supported and voiced their opinions on the positive influence AREVA would be to this area and future of jobs. They presented in front of the NRC, National Regulatory Commission. The NRC had never seen a youth group voice their opinion and AREVA was so impressed that they paid for 20 students and 5 chaperones to visit the George Besse II facility in Tricastan, France. They met with the Mayor of Pierelatte and other high school students and had a press conference and exchanged keys to the cities. They were showered with gifts every where they went. They rode the TGV (train that travels really fast across France). Then they visited the Headquarters in France and were greeted by the president of AREVA. This was a great honor since she is one of the most influential women in the world. and always traveling around the world the next day she was of to India with the Presdident of France. They were able to visit historical places such as Versailles, Moulin Rouge, the Louvre, and of course the Eiffel Tower. They wanted to see Chopin's tomb but there wasn't enough time in the schedule. I am proud of these kids. This is a chance of a lifetime.

2007-2008 AWARD WINNERS

Well - I finally got some time to sit down and add up the point totals for LAST year. I'm pretty embarrassed but at least I did it and the awards will be presented at the Festival Recitals on March 19th and 20th. The top 10 students with the highest point totals are :

ELLIE MYERS 962 PTS.
MELANIE JACKSON 936 PTS.
LUKE MYERS 897 PTS.
ANDREW STEPHENSON 874 PTS.
WHITNEY WOOD 826 PTS.
MCKAYLA JACKSON 815 PTS.
KYLIE ERIKSON 788 PTS.
KELSIE LEONARDSON 771 PTS.
PARKER ERIKSON 733 PTS.
ABBEY JENSEN 720 PTS.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS! REMEMBER TO MARK YOUR PRACTICE TIME EACH WEEK. THOSE POINTS REALLY ADD UP AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

Students travel to France

Congratulations to Andrew Stephenson, Whitney Wood, Caitlyn Dyer and Kylie Erikson. They have been chosen to travel to France during spring break with other students and city leaders from Idaho Falls. These students are members of the mayors youth council and were chosen based on their involvement and a written essay to receive an all expense paid trip to France. The trip is being sponsored by Areva, a company that is planning on building a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant near Idaho Falls. The companies representatives were so impressed by the students' presentation at the city council/public meeting that they decided to provide 20 of the students with this amazing opportunity. They will visit Paris and some surrounding areas including Avignon. I am so proud of them for their interest in their community and their willingness to become informed and involved.

Christmas Monster Concert

Just a reminder. The Christmas Monster Concert is fast approaching. It will be held on Saturday, December 6th. We usually hold the concert around 1:00 with a dress rehearsal that morning. The rehearsals will be held during that week. Those participating should be feverishly working on their duets. I will also schedule some Nursing/Retirement home performances so they have another opportunity to share their Christmas music.

Group Classes

Just a reminder: I will be in Prague for an Advent Choral Festival from November 19th through 26th. We will be having Group Piano class on Monday November 17th and Tuesday November 18th. There will be no lessons the week of Thanksgiving. I doubled up with private lessons the week of the recitals to compensate for this. I am currently scheduling classes and will be sending out an email. Please let me know which day will work best for you as quickly as possible.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Annual Piano Competition

This past weekend was the annual EIMTA Piano Competition. I am so proud of all the students who prepared and performed. I hope they had a positive experience.
Students who won first place awards are: Ellie Myers, Luke Myers, Brinley Wood, Ashlyn Dyer and Leslie Wright.
Abbey Jensen won 2nd place. (Abbey and Ellie competed against each other in the finals.) Bravo to both of them - they were AWESOME!!!
1st Alternate Honorable Mentions went to: Whitney Wood, Andrew Stephenson, Sarah Minor, Camille Hinkson and Parker Erikson
Honorable Mention awards went to: Brianne Baker, Coleman Baker, Sami Trane, Melanie Jackson, and Brooklynn Dyer.
All of the students who participated received excellent comments and critiques from their highly qualified judges.This competition draws students from Rexburg to Pocatello and the competition is fierce. The students who participate are studying with the best teachers in the area and are highly motivated and well prepared so any recognition is highly commendable. I appreciate those who attended the Honors Recital. I know that they learned alot from listening to the other performers and I hope I can encourage more students to participate next year.

Andrew and Kristen Stephenson

Ashlyn Dyer & Brinley Wood

Halloween Bash...

Here's some pictures from our Halloween recital/party. The costumes were great and the music was hauntingly entertaining. Sarah Reed won the door prize. Thanks to all who attended. It was really fun!!

Best Dynamics

Costume Award winners: Funniest, Cutest, Prettiest, and Scariest.