In a recent whirlwind of competitive activities, a total of eight Music Lesson Students at Flemington-based Hunterdon Academy of the Arts won multiple prizes and awards. These include remarkable successes at local, regional, as well as national levels.
At the 12th Annual Russian Music (Festival) Competition, held on November 1 in Green Brook, NJ, four piano students of Walter Aparicio’s took home top prizes in their respective categories: Thomas B. Flynn (First Prize); Rishubh Thaper (Second Prize); Benjamin Brown (Third Prize); and Keshav Viradia (Third Prize).
In recognition of their achievements, these students will be showcased in major recital venues during the first half of December: Thomas Flynn will perform in Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall on December 5. On the same day, Rishubh Thaper can be heard at Bruno Walter Auditorium of New York Public Library. Concluding the winner recitals, Benjamin Brown and Keshav Viradia will perform at Share Recital Hall of Rutgers University on December 13. Their piano teacher, Walter Aparicio, is delighted with the successes of his disciples: “these students worked incredibly hard, and I am very pleased that they were all successful. I am proud and excited that they will perform in some of the best halls in the area.”
Similarly successful were four violin students of Mialtin Zhezha’s, who emerged with extraordinary distinctions from the most recent assessments conducted by The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program. Most notably, Alexander Braun was awarded the National Gold Medal, the State Certificate of Excellence, as well as the Center Certificate of Excellence for his outstanding performance on the violin (Level 6). According to The Royal Conservatory, the National Gold Medal “is awarded to students who achieve the highest mark in the country and who have also completed the theory co-requisites for their respective level and discipline.” Moreover, violin students William James Manno (Level 5) and Selina Zhang (Level 5) each received the Center Certificate of Excellence as well as the State Certificate of Excellence, “awarded to students who achieve the highest mark in their state.” Also a violin student of Mr. Zhezha’s, Shubhranshu Dutta (Level 3) scored the highest mark in his examination center, an achievement for which he earned the Center Certificate of Excellence. “I’m so excited for these students,” says Mr. Zhezha, “their dedication to music lessons has resulted in some wonderful achievements they can be proud of for the rest of their lives.” According to Janet Lopinski, Senior Director, Academic Planning of The Royal Conservatory, “these awards are an exceptional distinction. They are the result of hard work, dedication, and commitment.”
“I am absolutely thrilled with these outstanding student and faculty successes,” says Valentina Jotovic, C.E.O. of Hunterdon Academy of the Arts.”They indicate that we are fulfilling our institutional mission: to inspire personal achievement and improve lives through high-quality performing arts education.”
Hunterdon Academy of the Arts has campus locations in Flemington and Lebanon. For more information, visit www.HunterdonAcademyOfTheArts.com
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