Young pianists from Danielle Shaw Piano Studio (Cordell) have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication in recent competitions, achieving impressive results at both the Breckenridge Piano Competition and the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association (OMTA) District Achievement events.
On March 3rd, students participated in the Breckenridge Piano Competition at SWOSU, receiving valuable feedback and high marks. Benaiah Miller and Josiah Miller both earned “Superior” ratings. Dawson Pool earned an “Excellent” rating. Following his performance, each participant received a mini masterclass from the adjudicator, Dr. Sophie Hung, on the stage.
The OMTA (Oklahoma Music Teachers Association) District Achievement, held on March 8th, saw five students participating in-person, all in the “Merit” category. This category requires students to memorize a piece and achieve a minimum score of 70% on a written theory and listening test. All five students excelled and are now advancing to the state competition at the University of Oklahoma in May. Nate Victory, Leah Victory, and Jacoby Thomas each earned a “I” rating on their performance and impressive theory scores, with Nate and Jacoby achieving perfect scores in theory. Josiah Miller and Benaiah Miller both achieved a “I+” rating on their performances, along with high and perfect theory scores, respectively.
Additionally, two students, Parker Vandever and Elliana Yaeger, participated in the OMTA E-Achievement series, a virtual option for students. Both entered the “Merit” category and received “I+” ratings for their recorded performances. This series allows students to compete via YouTube, following the same rigorous standards as the in-person competitions, including memorization and theory testing.