Marcy and Alex McDonald were invited as a featured masterclass for intermediate level students for the national convention for Music Teachers National Association in Atlanta. Thank you Peter Mack for the kind invitation!
Symphonic Festival senior concerto division - a clean sweep
Results like this don’t happen often, so when they do, we celebrate them.
In the competitive Dallas Symphonic Festival senior concerto division:
1st place - Jack Rouche (Tchaikovsky, mvt. 1)
2nd place - Melody Guo (Rachmaninoff 1, mvt. 3)
3rd place - Judy Yan (Saint-Saens 2, mvt. 1)
4th place - Emma Oba (Rachmaninoff 2, mvt. 3)
5th place - Tae Han (Schumann, mvt. 1)
Incredible work - we are so proud of you.
Emma Oba takes first prize at TASO Juanita Miller Competition
For the second year in a row, McDonald Music Studios students have taken the top prize in the piano division of the Juanita Miller Competition. Emma Oba gave a brilliant and expressive performance of Rachmaninoff’s concerto no. 2, mvt. 3. She also receives a nice cash prize. Bravo, Emma!
Jenna Tran - just 11 years old - to solo with Plano Symphony!
A wonderful accomplishment by Jenna Tran, the sole piano grand prize winner of the Collin County Young Artist Competition. She will perform the opening movement of Mozart’s concerto in A major, K 414. She gave a truly poetic and expressive performance in the competition finals, beating older pianists who have played for as long as she has been alive! Way to go Jenna!
McDonald Studios Students shine at Basically Beethoven Festival 2023
Ella Tran of the Yolutra Trio performed brilliantly with violinist Steven Lu and cellist Danielle Yoon, performing Brahms trio no. 1 (mvt 1) and the scherzo movement of Babajanian’s riveting trio. You received a stellar review from the Dallas Morning News. AND - your performance was just broadcast on WRR. Incredible work!
From Dallas News.com: “They began with as deeply felt and warmly shaped a first movement of the Brahms B major (Op. 8) as you’ll hear anywhere.... The third movement (Allegro vivace) of the 20th-century Armenian composer Arno Babadjanian’s F-sharp minor Piano Trio couldn’t have been more different. Its rugged, rowdy music was brilliantly dispatched, without slighting lyric episodes.” Bravo! Here is the full review: https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/performing-arts/2023/07/10/review-impressive-new-chamber-orchestra-piano-trio-open-basically-beethoven-festival/
Ella is now a freshman studying piano at TCU on a full scholarship.
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The following performance featured a brilliant performance of Mozart’s Kegelstatt trio, featuring our very own Melody Guo. Melody was also the first prize winner of the 2023 Collin County Young Artist Competition - and gave a brilliant performance of the first movement of Rachmnaninoff’s concerto no. 1 with the excellent. Plano Symphony. Her trio was likewise praised by the Dallas News critic, Scott Cantrell:
“In the pre-concert “Rising Stars” performance it was almost incredible that the three musicians playing Mozart’s Kegelstatt Trio (K. 498) were “mere” high schoolers. But Nicole Johnson spun out the clarinet’s lines with warm tone and suave phrasing and Maanas Varma delivered the technically challenging viola part with impressive assurance. Pianist Melody Guo’s collaboration was as sensitive as it was sure fingered.”
Here is a link to the full review: https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/performing-arts/2023/07/17/review-basically-beethoven-presents-a-lively-program-for-winds-and-piano/
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A final solo performance by our very own Tony Lu was also highly praised for his excellent Beethoven op. 31 no. 3 and his Dutillieux sonata. Tony was recognized at the festival for ranking second at the national round of the MTNA competition just a few years before. His excellent review can be found here: https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/performing-arts/2023/07/31/review-a-fine-finale-for-this-years-basically-beethoven-festival/
Congratulations to all!
McDonald Studios student solos with Dallas Symphony for second year in a row
BIG congratulations to Jack Rouche:
In addition to winning the Baylor/Waco concerto competition, you were also the sole grand prize winner of the Dallas Symphony’s Lynn Harrell competition. Your performance with the Dallas Symphony of the complete Tchaikovsky concerto brought smiles to many even in the orchestra. What an accomplishment - congratulations!
Also, you won first at TMTA’s 9-10 concerto division.
Speaking of TMTA, congratulations also to Emma Oba, who won first place in 10 solo!
Alex McDonald inducted into Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame in NYC
Dr. McDonald was inducted into the Steinway and Sons Hall of Fame for teachers. He joins the likes of Wha Kyung Byun (New England Conservatory), Robert McDonald (Juilliard, Curtis), and others. Thank you Steinway for this honor!
Studio News! MSS students shine at Collin County, Lewisville Lake Vernell Gregg, Symphonic Festival, and MTNA State/Regionals!
January has been very eventful for our students!
Ella Tran! The Grand Prize winner for piano of the Collin County Young Artist Competition, she will play Rachmaninoff Concerto no. 3, mvt. 3 with the Plano Symphony on March 19 at 8:00 at the Eisemann Center. Something that I find extra special about this is how for at least 6 years, she has given excellent performances at this competition each year but hasn’t received the grand prize til now. For tickets, see https://secure.planosymphony.org/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=2181
Ella also won the top prize for Symphonic Festival, senior concerto division, taking home a nice cash prize. :)
Victoria Han! The sole Grand Prize winner of the Lewisville Lake Vernell Gregg Competition, she will perform the complete Schumann concerto with the Lewisville Lake Symphony on February 11. For tickets, see https://www.lewisvillesymphony.org/copy-of-tickets
Tony Lu! He won both the Texas and South-Central divisions of MTNA, junior division (ages 11-14). He is one of 7 national finalists! Looking forward to nationals!
We would also like to congratulate: Kiana Sharp, Kenny Hu, Emma Oba, Dabin Lee, and Ella Tran for winning first place in their respective divisions at Symphonic Festival. Incredible work guys!
Congrats to our class of 2021!
Congrats to the following graduates for their many excellent accomplishments!
Shiv Yajnik: accepted to Juilliard for piano study; will attend Columbia University with continued lessons with Juilliard Faculty Matti Raekallio. His past accomplishments included soloing with the Plano and Baylor Symphony Orchestras, and twice was an MTNA national finalist.
Regina Lin: will attend Harvard University. Regina was twice a Rising Star for the Basically Beethoven Festival in Dallas, and was the frequent top winner in state competitions including the TMTA state-level competition.
Pranay Varada: will attend Harvard University. In addition to winning the National Geographic geography bee, Pranay twice won the TMTA state-level competition.
Sydney Levey: will attend Texas Christian University on a full scholarship; Sydney won first prize at the TMTA state competition as well at the Texas State International Piano Festival concerto competition.
Sunny Hua: will attend college at Florida State, and was the winner for both Dallas Piano Solo and Dallas Symphonic Festival.
We are privileged to have been a part of your journey! We wish you all a happy and healthy future, full of good music!
More Studio News from the 2020-2021 School Year...
It has been quite a year! No one imagined that things could turn out as they have. Nonetheless, we are immensely grateful that many arts organizations have pressed on in spite of the pandemic, offering a variety of virtual events. We are so proud of our students who have also pressed ahead in spite of these difficult circumstances! You continually show yourselves to be among the very best, and we are so thankful for you!
Here are some recents competitions events and performances:
Firstly, Ella Tran gave a wonderful performance of the Beethoven Triple Concerto along side Lindsey Kim (violin) and Marlon Florez (cello), with the Arlington, Garland and Las Colinas Symphony Orchestras.
We also congratulation Regina Lin and Ashley Tauhert who gave Rising Star recitals as a part of the 2020 Basically Beethoven Festival-in-Place. Also featured was studio alumnus Kyle Orth. Soon to be Dr. Orth (he is ABD for his DMA at New England Conservatory) will also be competing in the Honens International Competition in Canada and the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium.
David D Dubois Competition at Bowling Green State University
Shiv Yajnik received first prize winner of this highly competitive competition.
MTNA 2020 - 2021
Shiv Yajnik was the sole winner of Senior Piano for Texas and also the South Central division, and will represent us all at Nationals!
David Choi was the sole winner of Junior Piano for Texas and also the South Central division, and will likewise represent us at National!
We also congratulation Regina Lin, who was the alternate for Senior Piano. Well done, everyone!
In addition, one of our teachers, Alex McDonald, will give an hour long presentation at the national virtual conference on the topic of transfer students; other presenters for this topic include Veda Kaplinsky (Juilliard) and Marina Lomazov (Eastman).
Lewisville Lake Symphony Competition
David Choi was the first prize winner of the junior division (all instruments) for his beautiful performance of Mozart’s concerto in A, K 488.
2020 Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition
David Choi was the first prize winner for the Young Stars Division; second prize went to Mana Asaka, and Honorable Mention went to Emma Oba.
2020 Piano Star International Competition
Regina Lin was the 3rd prize winner in Professional Group III.
Radda Rise International Piano Competition
Benjamin LeSuer was the 2nd prize winner of the Category 1 division.
Dallas Piano Solo Competition
Many students did quite well in this competitive local event; out of 18 divisions, our students took home 9 first place trophies, winning half of the available divisions!
Division IA - Irene Lee (2nd prize)
Division IB - Ethan Guo (Honorable Mention)
Division II - Jenna Tran (first prize)
Division IIIA - Kaz Oba (finalist)
Division IIIB - Kiana Sharp (1st prize)
Division IIIB - Dylan Bao (honorable mention)
Division VA - Mana Asaka (1st prize)
Division VB - Lucas Pei (first prize)
Division VB - Oliver Chen (2nd prize)
Division VIA - Christine Choi (2nd prize)
Division VIA - Tae Han (honorable mention)
Division VIB - Joanna Jia (1st prize)
Division VIB - Emma Oba (3rd prize)
Division VIIA - Jennifer Lee (honorable mention)
Division VIIB - Michelle Cheng (1st prize)
Division VIIIA - Julia Wang (1stprize)
Division VIIIB - Jason Lu (1st prize)
Division VIIIB - Cameron Chin (3rd prize)
Division IX - Kyle Cornelison (1st prize)
Division IX - Patrick Du (2nd prize)
Division IX - Benjamin Aleman (honorable mention)
Division X - David Choi (3rd prize)
Division X - Connor Chin (4th prize)
Dallas Symphonic Festival
Again, students did a simply outstanding job, winning 7 of the possible 16 division, including sweeping all 5 concerto divisions. Here is the full list of how everyone did:
Elementary I Concerto - Benjamin LeSuer (1st prize)
Elementary II Concerto - Kiana Sharp (1st prize)
Elementary II Concerto - Kaz Oba (3rd prize)
Intermediate Concerto - Tony Lu (1st prize)
Junior Concerto - Julia Want (1st prize)
Senior Concerto - Regina Lin (1st prize)
Senior Concerto - Sydney Levey (2nd prize)
Senior Concerto - Pranay Varada (6th prize)
Elementary IIA Sonata - Dylan Bao (honorable mention)
Elementary IIB Sonata - Lucas Pei (1st prize)
Elementary IIB Sonata - Eugene Wang (3rd prize)
Elementary IIB Sonata - Jenna Tran (6th prize)
Intermediate A Sonata - Oliver Chen (3rd prize)
Intermediate B Sonata - David Choi (1st prize)
Intermediate B Sonata - Christine Choi (2nd prize)
Intermediate C Sonata - Tae Han (3rd prize)
Intermediate C sonata - Joanna Jia (6th prize)
Junior A Sonata - Benjamin Aleman (3rd prize)
Junior A Sonata - Jennifer Lee (4th prize)
Junior A Sonata - Lupe Oloyede (6th prize)
Junior B Sonata - Jason Lu (2nd prize)
Junior B Sonata - Michelle Cheng (6th prize)
Senior Sonata - Patrick Du (honorable mention)
Also, big congratulations to our Viola Students!
Elementary II Concerto - Catherine Choi (2nd prize)
Junior Sonata - Michelle Howang (1st prize)
Baylor/Waco Competition
Division III Solo - Christine Choi (1st prize)
Division III Solo - Tae Han (honorable mention)
Division III Solo - Emma Oba (honorable mention)
Division 1 Solo - Vrinda Varada (honorable mention)
Division I Concerto - Ella Tran (2nd prize)
Division I Concerto - Pranay Varada (honorable mention)
Division I Concerto - Julia Wang (honorable mention)