For the majority of teachers in CA, the MTAC Solo and Concerto Competition is a very important checkpoint of young pianist's abilities.

I grow up in Poland where music education happens in special music schools. It is free but everyone has to work hard to  meet special standards by passing exams at the end of each semester. There are not as many piano competitions but everyone is motivated to work hard thanks to the internal atmosphere and competition among the students and teachers in the school.

In California, where learning is happening in private studios mostly, there is a need to create events which motivate students to practice. As we know, there are very many smaller and bigger competitions. Among them, the  MTAC Solo and Concerto competition represent the highest level. What I like a lot is that not only the level of participating pianists is very high but also the selection of judges is great. Participating students and teachers can always learn from constructive comments and trust that the results are fair, which in the world of very competitive and sometimes political music world is a very comforting assurance.

For many students the Solo-Concerto Competitions are like ladders to climb. In many competitions one can get a prize after some practice, but one has to work very hard in order to be recognized in the MTAC competitions. For those who play the state finals there is a special pressure, there are not only judges and parents listening to the competition but also very many teachers, and everyone remembers for a long time the State Finals of the MTAC Competitions!

In general though, thank you all involved in creating MTAC and running the MTAC Competitions as well. Thanks to your hard work the Californian musical world is a much better place!

I am sixteen years old. I started taking piano lessons when I was five. I have loved it ever since. My piano teacher is Rufus Choi. This year, besides competing in the MTAC State Concerto Competition, I am participating in several piano festivals. Currently, I am attending the Art of the Piano Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. After this, I will attend the Frost Chopin Festival in Miami, Florida, and then the NYU Summer Piano Intensive in New York City.

Participating in the MTAC Piano Solo and Concerto Competitions has been a phenomenal experience for me as the extremely high level of pianism these events attract compels me to push my pianistic and musical limits to the utmost. In addition, it is always a joy for me to attend the convention where the finals are held and meet up with old friends as well as get to know new ones. I am very grateful that MTAC has these competitions for young pianists in California to compete in and learn from. The monetary awards that I have received from winning in these competitions are in a savings account for future use.

The MTAC VOCE program stands out as a key part in my growth as a musician, helping me to become the flutist I am today. It has been a platform on which I have been able to expand my musical abilities, building my confidence as a performer through competition. As a proud winner in both solo and ensemble categories, the Foundation awards will help to support my musical career, especially as I continue to pursue music in college.