SPRING, 2024
It's Piano Time to Shine!
Update
Pics coming... personal accomplishments page nearly all updated...you all just keep bringing in the accomplishments, it's hard to keep up! ☆
Congratulations to all students for continued focus and personal accomplishments!! Your hard work every week, through holidays and *many* other commitments, is helping you reach new challenges and, my favorite, moving beyond those challenges and reaching for the next level!
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☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to GRADY for Outstanding Performance+ at the National MTA Local competition *and* qualifying for the Regional Competition!
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for Outstanding Performance at the Regional Competition *and* qualifying for State!! ☆
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for 4th Consecutive Year Superior Performance at the National Federation of Music Clubs Judged Festival! ☆
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to RYOTA for qualifying as ☆ music finalist ☆ for the PTC Kiwanis 38th Annual Art & Music Showcase Competition, open to everyone in the entire district! ☆
UPDATE: PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to RYOTA for ☆ ☆ WINNING ☆ ☆ the Class II PTC Kiwanis 38th Annual Art & Music Showcase Competition!!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to RYOTA for Outstanding Performance at the National MTA Local competition *and* qualifying for the Regional Competition! ☆
Extra Special Shout-Out to Ryota for his first year competing! ☆
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for Outstanding Performance at the Regional Competition *and* qualifying for State!! ☆
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for ☆ Honorable Mention ☆ at the final Georgia State Competition!!! ☆
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for 2nd Consecutive Year Superior Performance at the National Federation of Music Clubs Judged Festival! ☆
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for soloist at the CFMTA HONORS RECITAL! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to ABBY for Honorable Mention at the highest and most challenging level of National MTA Local competition!! ☆
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for 4th Consecutive Year Superior Performance at the National Federation of Music Clubs Judged Festival! ☆
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for soloist + assistant at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to OWEN for Award of Excellence at the National MTA Local competition!! Extra Special Shout-Out to Owen for his first year competing! ☆
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for 2nd Consecutive Year Superior Performance at the National Federation of Music Clubs Judged Festival! ☆
UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
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☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to DANIEL for 2nd Consecutive Year Superior Performance at the National Federation of Music Clubs Judged Festival!! ☆
CONGRATULATIONS to DANIEL for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to EVA for Superior Performance at the National Federation of Music Clubs Judged Festival!! ☆
CONGRATULATIONS to EVA for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to PETER G for Superior Performance at the National Federation of Music Clubs Judged Festival!! ☆
CONGRATULATIONS to PETER G for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to ELIZABETH G for Superior Performance at the National Federation of Music Clubs Judged Festival!! ☆
CONGRATULATIONS to ELIZABETH G for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to OLIVIA for Superior Performance at the National Federation of Music Clubs Judged Festival!! ☆
CONGRATULATIONS to OLIVIA for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to SLOANE for Superior Performance at the National Federation of Music Clubs Judged Festival!! ☆
CONGRATULATIONS to SLOANE for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to AKI for for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to ERIC for for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
☆ PROUD CONGRATULATIONS to SONAM for for soloist at the CFMTA Spring Awards Recital!! ☆
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☆ Looking forward to Community Concerts & Conversation with some of our favorite audiences!!
☆ ☆ Looking forward to, of course, many more personal accomplishments! ☆ ☆
JANUARY, 2024
Hello New Year!!
Update
Looking forward to 2024! Continuing personal accomplishments, culminating hard work so far, accepting new challenges, and sharing your music ☆
☆ Heartfelt !THANK YOU! to performers, families, friends and care givers who joined our second holiday Community Concert Perform & Chat bringing tremendous holiday cheer through music and comradery to our local community - As always, your professionalism was impressively noticed, your interaction was appreciated, and - yet again - you all were immediately invited back! What a rare and precious Piano Family we belong to ☆
DECEMBER, 2023
Piano, Piano, more Piano, Tons of Accomplishments!
Update
Safe and Happy Holidays to everyone, and, most of all, make this holiday extra special by sharing your musical talents ☆
So many updates, you all just keep bringing in accomplishments ☆
☆ Congratulations to students who updated their personal accomplishments page this month!
☆ Congratulations to PeterH for winning First Place in the state of Georgia for his original piano composition "The Power of Mysterious"
and also winning the Nolting Award for his original composition - an absolutely lovely piano piece ☆
☆ Fantasic results at this year's Fall Festival Judged Recital - 100% Superior ratings and, most importantly, confident, professional, musical performances!
Extra Congratulations to Sloane, Amelia, Sonam, Aki, Eva and Olivia for your brave, stellar First Recitals ☆
☆ Heartfelt Thank You to performers, families, friends and care givers who joined our first holiday Community Concert Perform & Chat to bring musical holiday cheer to our local community! Such a talented group! You were all professional and pleasant and left everyone with a smile - and you were immediately invited back! We love our Community Concerts!
☆ What a special Piano Family we have ☆
2023 FALL FESTIVAL
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2023 COMMUNITY CONCERT #1
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SEPTEMBER, 2023
Piano & Pizza, Recital Prep, Accomplishments
Update
☆ Congratulations to students who already updated their personal accomplishment pages! ☆
☆ Looking forward to our first Piano & Pizza community gathering of the season! Everyone welcome! Very much looking forward to getting our Piano Family together again and warmly welcoming new faces to our amazing, successful community ☆
☆ Students participating in the Fall Festival, well done for focusing these next few weeks to strengthen your performance confidence! ☆
AUGUST, 2023
~ BACK TO SCHOOL ~
Update
☆ Congratulations to all for starting your new school classes!
Everyone looks a year older and wiser and ready for new challenges!
You worked hard all summer on your piano pieces and music theory, now you have a head start and strong foundation for coming piano events.
Stay tuned for dates and details - and remember to thank your parents and caregivers for helping keep you organized ☆
☆ YOU ARE AWESOME ☆
JUNE, JULY 2023
SUMMER!
Update
☆ Congratulations to all for moving up to a new grade at school! Summer piano is filled with exciting new pieces, strengthening theory and technique, and having fun while preparing for the next piano year ☆
Enjoy your summer!!
MAY, 2023
CFMTA Spring Recital, Community Concerts, Accomplishments
Update
☆ Congratulations to students who updated their personal accomplishments pages!
☆ Congratulations to Maranda, Olivia, Eva, Daniel, Sloane, Sonam, Amelia, & ElizabethG for your first recitals! You all looked and played professionally - outstanding performances! ☆
☆ Well Done to Abby, ElizabethZ, PeterH & Violet, our high school and middle school students who show the leadership and professionalism to be role models to our younger students! ☆
☆ Well Done and Congratulations to the CFMTA Spring Recital performers! ☆
☆ Heartfelt Thank You to performers, families, friends and care givers who joined our Community Concerts bringing music and cheer to seniors in our community!
☆ Special shout out to Sara & Rebecca for coming down from GaTech to help out
☆ Proud days for McDowall Zack Piano! ☆
SPRING RECITAL
EASTER ARBOR TERRACE COMMUNITY RECITAL
LEGACY RIDGE COMMUNITY RECITAL "play & chat"
APRIL, 2023
NFMC, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PIZZA+PIANO
Update
Get ready - there are SO MANY congratulations in this post!!
☆ Congratulations to the many students who have updated personal accomplishments pages!
☆ Congratulations to Emi and Nao, parents of Ryota, for the birth of their beautiful daughter, Monet, April 3, 2023 ☆
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Peter H., NFMC Junior Composers Georgia State Competition, Superior rating and stellar judge comments for his original composition Whimsy
The judge raved: "This was a lovely ragtime...easy to listen to...just the right amount of embellishment...the introduction was great...good work!" ☆
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Grady, Fourth Place Champion after qualifying as a music finalist by his exceptional performance of Beethoven's Fur Elise in the Kiwani's 2023 Art & Music Showcase open to everyone in the entire district!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to ELizabeth Z. for Award of Excellence at the NFMC Judged Recital!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Peter G. for Award of Excellence at the NFMC Judged Recital!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Abby for Superior Performance at the NFMC Judged Recital!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Grady for Superior Performance at the NFMC Judged Recital!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Ryota for Superior Performance at the NFMC Judged Recital!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Peter H. for Superior Performance at the NFMC Judged Recital!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Violet for Superior Performance at the NFMC Judged Recital!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Daniel for Superior Performance at the NFMC Judged Recital!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Owen for Superior Performance at the NFMC Judged Recital!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Tyler for Superior Performance at the NFMC Judged Recital!
☆ Heartfelt Thank You to students and friends/families/caregivers able to join together for informal pizza and piano! A great time had by all, and so much theory!!
☆ Special shout out to Kristen for coming down from UGA uni to help out on Easter ☆
Apologies for forgetting to take a group photo - oh no!! - but here are random snippets
MARCH, 2023
Georgia MTA LOCAL PIANO COMPETITION
Update
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to ELizabeth Z. for receiving Award of Excellence at Local Competitions!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Grady for receiving Outstanding Performance at Local Competitions!
☆ Proud CONGRATULATIONS to Ryota for receiving Outstanding Performance at Local Competitions!
☆ Good Luck to Grady and Ryota at Regionals! ☆
☆ Congratulations to Sonam for creating Original Thought #1 for her personal accomplishments page!
March/April reminders for students available to participate:
☆ March 11, Saturday, Casual Piano Gathering
☆ March 18, Saturday, NFMC Judged Recital, 101 Peachtree Pkway North
☆ April 23, Sunday, Honors Recital and Spring Recital, 847 New Hope Road, Fayetteville
FEBRUARY, 2023
PIZZA & PIANO PREP
February, 2023
☆ Huge *Thank You* to Your Pie Pizza in PTC for hosting our small group preparing for Saturday competition and theory exam! Grady, ElizabethZ and Ryota are well prepared for Saturday and Abby and Violet well prepared for future events! Shout-out to Sara and Rebecca for taking a GaTech uni break and helping out, and to families who joined for a friendly morning chat - what a wonderful group of people!
☆ Congratulations to PeterH for completing and submitting his latest original composition to the NFMC junior composer competition!
☆ Congratulations to Abby, Grady, Ben, PeterG, ElizabethZ, PeterH, Violet, Ryota, Tyler, Owen, Eva for updating their personal accomplishments pages!
February reminder for students available to participate:
☆ February 11, Saturday, casual piano gathering
☆ February 18, Saturday, GMTA Local Auditions& GATE Theory
101 N. Peachtree Pkwy, PTC (Christ our Shepard church)
NEW YEAR! JANUARY, 2023
January, 2023
☆ I am so proud of all my students for starting the new year with creativity, personal goals, and bravely growing into a new musical comfort zone! As always, an extra special Thank You to student families and care-givers for never-ending support so your children can achieve much more than they ever thought possible!
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, 2022
December, 2022
☆ Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! Congratulations on so many personal musical accomplishments in 2022, and looking forward to the many more to come.
Wishing you all a happy, heathy, prosperous and musical new year!
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
November 12, 2022
☆ Besides having a birthday on the day of Fall Festival this year,
we are incredibly proud of Maranda for completing YET ANOTHER
level of ABRSM Exam - International Theory Exam Level 3!
If you have been keeping track (I have), she has indeed
completed two levels of high level theory in only one year.
Maranda continues to be a role model for brave learning
outside her comfort zone (well, maybe brave learning is her
new comfort zone?!)...and truly raises the bar of learning
for everyone around her. Congratulations!!
FALL FESTIVAL, 2022
Such artistry you shared with us! November 12, 2022
☆ Congratulations to students able to participate in the
Coweta-Fayette Music Teachers Association Fall Festival judged recital!
In order of performance,
Abby, Grady, Jack, Violet, PeterH, PeterG, Ryota
were each awarded "Superior" ratings and, most importantly, entertained the
audience with professional and musical performances!
Well done - another proud day for McDowall Zack Piano!
BLAST FROM THE PAST Nov 2021!
UPDATE
October 19, 2022
☆ Nov. 5, Saturday, casual piano gathering, PTC
☆ Nov. 12, Saturday, Fall Festival in Fayetteville
For those ready to participate, keep up the preparation!
For those preparing for future opportunities, keep up the preparation!
UPDATE
Autumn! October 2, 2022
☆ Oh my goodness it is suddenly Autumn!
I am so very proud of all of you for working hard in school,
participating in after school activities
and, most importantly, moving forward in piano!
Stay tuned as the weeks progress and we start including your piano accomplishments for recital and event opportunities ☆
UPDATE
Ryota & Daniel August 29, 2022
☆ Congratulations to Ryota and Daniel for updating their personal accomplishments pages!
UPDATE
Abby, Mindy, PeterH August 25, 2022
☆ Congratulations to Abby, Mindy (artist in residence), and PeterH for updating their personal accomplishments pages! Super proud of Abby's hard work to beautifully put together a challenging (and long) piece! Super proud of PeterH for exploring and sharing his extensive creativity, and especially super proud of Mindy for inspiring us with her talents (in the most loving yet distracting environment)!
UPDATE
See you all this week!! Yay! August 16, 2022
☆ See you all in persona this week! Excited to hear your stories and all about your school year. Very excited to see you in person and hear your piano progress!
☆ Congratulations to Jack for updating his Personal Accomplishments page with his own medley of piano songs he has learned so far!
UPDATE
School has Started! August 4, 2022
☆ Congratulations to all for bravely starting your new school year! Piano starts up again after your first full week of school, but your piano self-lessons and planning your pieces continues.
It's time to put your summer piano strengthening to use! Holiday music, recital and performance music, fun music, compositions, duets, theory: all possibilities for your 2022-2023 piano year!
UPDATE
New School Year! Daniel & Olivia July 24, 2022
☆ Congratulations to Daniel for updating his Personal Accomplishments page!
☆ We warmly welcome Olivia to the McDowall Zack Piano family!
☆ Celebrate every last minute of summer, and get excited for your new classroom and classmates! You probably have fellow piano-friends in your school, and maybe even across the hall. Keep your eyes open! We look forward to our fun and friendly gatherings for theory, performing, and catching up!
UPDATE
Summer! July 13, 2022
☆ Congratulations to Ryota for updating his Personal Accomplishments page!
☆ Celebrate summer, enjoy friends and holidays and traveling and relaxing! Use these wonderful times to strengthen note reading, timing, theory, challenge pieces, fun pieces, and overall getting stronger for the upcoming Winter and Spring seasons!
UPDATE
Summer, Violet, Collaboration June 18, 2022
☆ Congratulations to Violet for updating her Personal Accomplishments page!
☆ "Collaboration" excitement continues...Grady has created Part 2, now it returns to Peter H...what will he be inspired to create next?
UPDATE
Maranda ROCKED ABRSM Theory 2! Ethan + Anna + Grady + Daniel + Peter H. + Jack + Congrats to All June 6, 2022
☆ It is with EXTREME PRIDE we announce that Maranda received PERFECT SCORES (unheard of!) for ABRSM Theory Pitch, Key + Scales, Intervals, Tonic Triads, Terms + Signs, and Music in Context! Maranda only missed 2 out of 15 for Rhythm, with a total score of 73/75, 8 points *above* the highest Distinction honor! What a role mode for brave learning outside her comfort zone, and in doing so she shows us what accomplishments can be made beyond what we thought we could - congratulations!!
☆ Congratulations to Ethan + Anna + Grady + Daniel + Peter H. + Jack for updating their Personal Accomplishment pages!
CONGRATULATIONS to all for successful completion of another school year - what brilliant students you all are!
UPDATE
Maranda ABRSM Theory #2, Anna W., Peter H., Jack K, May 1 Recital April 30, 2022
☆ We are very proud of Maranda for completing ABRSM Theory #2! Maranda is a role mode for brave learning outside her comfort zone, and in doing so she shows us what accomplishments can be made beyond what we thought we could - congratulations!!
☆ Congratulations to Anna, Peter H. & Jack for updating their Personal Accomplishments pages!
May 1 recital date for students participating, and for those not able to join this time - we will miss you!
UPDATE
May 1 recital, Grady M., Artist in Residence April 15, 2022
☆ Congratulations to Grady for updating his Personal Accomplishments page with his original composition Forest Dances!
Check out the new link on the Personal Accomplishments page: Artist in Residence & Original Compositions!
May 1 recital date for students participating, and for those not able to join this time - we will miss you!
UPDATE
GMTA Regional Competition Results, Peter G., Daniel April 4, 2022
Congratulations to Abby for receiving Outstanding Performance
at the GMTA Regionals competition and moving on to the State competition!
Congratulations to Grady for receiving Outstanding Performance
at the GMTA Regionals competition and moving on to the State competition!
Peter G. is featured on the GFMC Facebook page for placing 2nd in the Class 1 Junior Composition competition: check it out and give his post a thumbs up!
Click Here to Thumbs Up Peter G
☆ Congratulations to Daniel for updating his Personal Accomplishments page with his first recital!
UPDATE
NFMC Judged Recital Results! Mar. 26, 2022
A very proud day because of hard work and practice, practice, practice - brilliant results, congratulations!
National Federation of Music Club Results (in alphabetical order):
Abby: Superior+
Ben: Superior
Elizabeth: Superior
Grady: Superior
Jack: Superior
Peter H.: Superior
Violet: Superior
☆ Now it's time to consider the judge's feedback and get back to work ☆
UPDATE
Centenniel Gathering + NFMC Judged Recital Mar. 26 + Personal Accomplishments! Mar. 22, 2022
What an honor and priviledge it is for McDowall Zack Piano to have such a delightful group of families! A wonderful Centenniel Gathering on March 20 for theory and note name Bingo and an informal recital. Students worked hard to earn theory certificates and parents worked hard to prepare the theory certificates (!) and joined in to make note name bingo a success! Thank you to all who were able to join, and for those unable to join this time - you were missed! Pics coming soon
Congratulations to all students preparing for the National Federation of Music Clubs judged recital March 26, and for those strengthening skills to join next year!
Congratulations to Elizabeth and Ben and Peter G. for new links on their accomplishments page!
UPDATE
Centenniel Gathering Mar. 20 + NFMC Judged Recital Mar. 26 + Personal Accomplishments! Mar. 15, 2022
Looking forward to the Centenniel gathering on Sunday, March 20!
Congratulations to all students preparing for the National Federation of Music Clubs judged recital March 26, and for those strengthening skills to join next year!
Congratulations to Ben, Violet, Anna, Ethan, and Jack for new links on their personal accomplishments pages!
Peter G. NFMC Georgia State Winner
NFMC Junior Composer Competition Mar. 6, 2022
Congratulations to Peter G. for being one of two composers selected to represent the state of Georgia in the Southeast Regionals!
Peter's composition is titled "Wake Up Song" imagined as someone waking up to the alarm set on their device ♥
Abby & Grady Competition Winners
MTNA Local Competition Feb.26, 2022
Congratulations to Abby for being in the local winners group earning two Outstanding Performances and representing grade 9 at regionals!
Congratulations to Grady for being in the local winners group earning two Outstanding Performances and representing grade 4 at regionals!
UPDATE
MTNA competition Feb. 26 + Personal Accomplishments! Feb.21, 2022
We are proud of Abby + Grady for preparing for the MTNA piano competition February 26!
Mindy, Peter G. and Emma have new links on their personal accomplishments page - congratulations!
Peter's link is his own composition "Wake Up Song" imagined as someone waking up to the alarm set on their device ♥
Emma's link is her own composition "Alternate Reality" ♥
MASTER CLASS
Welcome to join Huu Mai's Master Class featuring Abby! Feb. 5, 2022
We are absolutely delighted Abby McSpadden is one of five performers chosen for the CFMTA Piano Master Class with Huu Mai on February 8th - everyone is welcome to attend!
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
New Year Accomplishments Already! Jan. 20, 2022
Abby McSpadden has been chosen for the CFMTA Piano Master Class with Huu Mai on February 8th - congratulations!
Elizabeth, Violet, Peter G. Greg and Mindy have new links on their personal accomplishments pages, well done!
Grady and Peter G. submitted original compositions to the NFMC Junior Competition - congratulations!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022
Get ready for a brilliant new year!
A busy January ahead for students preparing for February and March competitions and judged recitals and theory exams. Your hard work and attention to detail is paying off and you can be very excited to share your talents!
MTNA Regionals 2021
Grady McSpadden, Dec. 6, 2021
Congratulations to Grady for qualifying for regionals for his composition "Forest Dances" with Honorable Mention and impressive, positive feedback from the three adjudicators at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) southern region elementary composition competition. Another success following his first place at the Georgia state level!
Sound Espressivo 2021
Abby McSpadden, Nov. 22, 2021
Congratulations to Abby for submitting her beautiful Allegro di Molto by CPE Bach to the Sound Espressivo international piano competition!
Shout-out to Grady!
Grady wins Georgia State Junior Composition Competition, Dec 7, 2017
Grady is the Georgia State winner of the Music Teachers National Association Junior Composition Competition, and delighted recipient of the Nolting Award presented by the Georgia Music Teachers Association. Grady's composition is Forest Dances.
Welcome Back Greg!
Back to Piano, Sep 2, 2017
We are delighted to welcome Greg back to piano after a year health-related sabatacle. He is picking up right where he left off!
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