Certificates of Merit, or CM, is the MTAC program my students participate in yearly. Each year, they are tested on technique, theory, ear training, and repertoire performance. They master each level until they reach level 9, then level 10, the advanced level.
Once a month, we have a workshop in my home studio where they perform their repertoire in memory. This will make them ready to perform at any moment and well-experienced on stage.
In June and December, we have a recital at a concert hall, where each student performs about three pieces in memory. This celebrates students' hard work at the end of the academic season.
Each student participates in the National Guild Audition yearly, in which they perform 5 to 10 pieces in memory in one sitting. This will build their repertoire so that they can play at any moment like true musicians.
Students participate year-round in the MTAC branch theme festival, SYMF, the Musical Arts Competition of Orange County, and the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Composition
Students learn chord symbols and read lead sheets, improvising the accompaniment with the given chord. Based on their interests, students can learn songwriting and music production or choose to learn other instruments like guitar, drum, and bass. They can also compose classical music and participate in the MTAC Composers Today.
Theory-only Lessons
I also offer theory-only lessons for vocalists and instrumentalists who are not pianists. If you struggle to read music and need help with theory, I can help you stand on the foundation of music. Theory-only lessons will make you a master of rhythms, scales/arpeggios, and solfege singing/ear training. This lesson is also for AP music theory students who want to ace it.