The Academy sent two of our ensembles to Karen Iglitzin's 2nd Annual Chamber Music Anti-Contest on Mar. 22. Yoko, the scolding referee, Munya, combative and conniving, and Lisa, blonde and over-the-top, were the "Almost All-American" trio. Under Rachel Matthew's tutelage, the girls gave a stellar, yet outrageously hilarious performance of Doppler's "Duettino". Greta, Sarah P., and Charlotte, coached by Dajana Hobsen, hammed it up as three shrewd gypsies. They expressively played the Bach Double Concerto for two violins and piano, sitting cross-legged around a campfire and stealing from one another during the rests. Bribing of the judges was encouraged. This was a fun event with high caliber performances. We will send two groups again next year, so start planning.

Yoko was accepted with scholarship offers by Stanford, Northwestern (double degree program), Carnegie-Mellon, Oberlin, John Hopkins, and the University of Washington. Yoko will attend Stanford on scholarship, combining Piano Performance and International Studies.

Yoko was an outstanding student for 5 years at the Academy, in Music Studies and Performance.
She was an honors student at King's School; first in her class of 95 students; Valedictorian at her graduation in June; a member of the National Honor Society, and also served as its secretary.

Yoko was one of the top 4 of 12 outstanding young graduating high school students honored by the Seattle Times. She was also awarded a $1,500 merit grant in 2002 from the Edmonds Arts Commission - their largest award to a graduating senior from the Edmonds area.

Yoko successfully competed in classical and jazz festivals, winning first-place in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in 10th grade. In 11th and 12th grades she was awarded first-place in the Sno-King Regional classical music competition for Washington State. She was accompanist and collaborator in competitions and concerts for the Academy and for Kings School. She performed in the Academy's last annual benefit, performed on NPR, in solo and ensemble recitals, and also with her high school choir, and as pianist in the accompanying ensemble, in Slovakia and Honduras.

Yoko is fluent in Japanese (speaking, reading, and writing).

CONGRATULATIONS, YOKO!!

Frank was well received at his auditions at Eastman, Peabody, Curtis, and Juilliard and will attend Peabody Institute on full scholarship to study with his preferred teacher - Julian Martin. Frank also received a scholarship offer from Eastman SCM.

Frank was a student of AMN Piano Chair, Willard Schultz, and a five year Music Studies student at the Academy.

Frank performed his graduate recital as a benefit concert for the Academy on June 2nd, 2002 at 3 pm, in the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya Hall.

In June 2002 Frank was accepted from nationwide applicants, ages 14-18, to participate in the inaugural piano competition under the auspices of the Stecher & Horowitz Foundation, in Steinway Hall, NY. He received a cash prize for being accepted. The competition included mandatory solo, four-hand piano, and ensemble sections.

Frank was accepted to participate in the Milan, Italy Piano Festival in July 2002. He was also invited to participate in the Chopin Piano Competiton in Poland in August 2002.

In 2001, Frank won the WA state, Music Teachers National Assn., High School Division Piano Competition. Frank performed in every major benefit for the Academy, on KING FM, and won the opportunity to perform in concerts in Vermont, Washington, and Peru, SA.

Piano Chair, Willard Schultz (Frank’s teacher) received the following e-mail from the Head of the Piano Dept., Eastman School of Music, after Frank’s audition:

CONGRATULATIONS, FRANK!

• First Place in High School Division, MTNA WA State Piano Competition

• also selected to participate in the finalists Master Class

• SYAMF First Prize & Festival Medal,
  Concerto Competition

• Performed with Philharmonia NW at Town Hall, Seattle, 5/20/2001

• 1st Prize Northwest Sinfonietta Concerto Competition
• Annual Steven Tan Board Prize for Piano

• Performed with the Seattle Symphony in the 'Meet the Beat' Concert, 10/17

• SYAMF First Place Concerto Competition

• Performed with Philharmonia NW at Town Hall, Seattle, 5/20

• Won BMI Student Composition Award 2001

• Performed 5/6, Arts West, West Seattle

• Composed a work commissioned by SSO for Truls Mork, 'cellist

• Performed with Truls Mork, Benaroya Hall, Discover Music Program, 3/17

• 1st Place MTNA National Young Composer Competition (Middle School Div.)

• Won trip to NY to receive her award.

• Accepted (2nd yr) SSO Young Composer Workshop

• Garfield Orchestra premiered her Symphony
• Accepted (2nd yr) SSO Young Composer Workshop

• 1st Place National Federation Teachers Composition Competition - 3 years

• 2001 selected as one of only 2 freshman to be selected for the All Northwest Honor Choir in Spokane.
• Superior rating in State Solo Competition.
• Selected for the Auditioned Jazz and Show Choir at Spanaway Lake HS.

• 2nd Place Tie, Simon-Fiset Elementary Div.

• Honorable Mention, Simon-Fiset (SMTA), Primary Div.
• 1st Place, PAFE (Performing Arts Festival, Eastside (Concerto Class, grade 6, & Honorable Mention in Solo Class
• 2nd Place, Concerto Group, (9 & under)Vancouver, B.C. Kiwanis Music Festival
• 3rd Place Concerto Group (10 and under) - 3 contrasting pieces

• 1st Place, PAFE, Concerto Group, age 12 and under
• 1st Place, Vancouver B.C. Kiwanis Music Festival, Concerto Group, age 12 and under

• Accepted by & will attend Oberlin (w/Scholarship)
  Also accepted by: Manhattan SCM (w/Schol.), Berklee, & Univ. Michigan (w/Schol.)
• Annual Ray Thompson Board Prize for Music Studies (straight A student)
• Outstanding Musicianat Clark College Jazz Fest 2000 & Blanchett HS, 2000
• Outstanding Soloist:Univ. Idaho Jazz Fest 1998, 1999, 2000 & Mt Hood Jazz Fest 2000
• "Most Inspirational" Blanchett HS '99

• Annual Ray Thompson Board Prize for Music Studies (straight A student)
• Replaced soloist singer for Bach Cantata in our final recital w / minimal notice

• Co-Principal First Violin, SYSO Jr Orch. (4th time)
• Annual Ed Birdwell Board Prize for Violin

• 1st Place Sno-King Regionals & represented the Division at the State Competition, receiving a perfect score from one of the judges
• Annual Linda Sandell Board Prize for Chamber Music
• Accompanist for King's HS & Jr HS Choirs, and for their Living Faith group, and is pianist with their Jazz Band

• Annual Linda Sandell Board Prize for Chamber Music
• Workshop

• First Violin, Bellevue YSO
  • first violin - Debut orchestra
  • piano soloist - Youth and Debut orchestras
• PAFE (Performing ArtsFestival Eastside)
  • first place (tied) for piano solo in his age group
  • honorable mention for piano concerto in his age group
• ABRSM (Assoc. Bd. Royal Schools of Music)
  • passed with distinction in:
    grade 7 piano
    grade 5 theory
    grade 4 violin

• Performed with the Seattle Symphony in the 'Meet the Beat' Concert, 10/17

• Greater Spokane Musicfest NW 5/2001:
  • 1st Contemporary (grade 4)
  • 1st Baroque (grade 4)
  • 1st Open Concerto (grades 3-6)
  • 2nd Sonatina (grade 4)
• Performed in Benaroya Hall Lobby pre-SSO Discover Music Program, on Classic Kid and Live by George (KING FM)
• Seattle Honors Recital Spring 2000

• Performed his winning baroque and contemporary pieces on Spokane Public Radio

AMN Students who are also members of SYSO:

Greta Gothard, Co-Principal First Violin JR
Sarah Pizzichemi, Principal Second Violin,JR
Mikaela Holland, 1st Violin, Symphonette
Lukas Holland, Violoncello, Debut
Morgan Hughes, Violin, Youth
Sarah Koo, Violin, Classical
Lena Nietfeld, Clarinette, JR
Munya Souaiaia, Flute, Classical
Liam Buell, Violin, Classical

Other AMN Students are membersof Eastside, Cascade, Tacoma, and Olympia YSO's