The NYSSMA All-State Piano Showcase is a goal for pianists all over the state. The way to enter an audition for the showcase is that if you get a 100 on the highest level of NYSSMA piano (a New York piano test that occurs around March-April) and get a recommendation by your NYSSMA judge, you could enter an audition to the Piano Showcase. There were thousands of people who took NYSSMA piano level 6 (the hardest level), and only about 12 were picked to perform in the showcase, which took place in Rochester, New York.
I qualified for the NYSSMA All-State Piano Showcase in 9th grade and performed in 10th grade, being one of the youngest performers there.
Me at the All State center
Me performing in the All State Piano Showcase
Me with the other All State Piano Showcase performers
The NYSSMA All-State Orchestra is a highly selective orchestra, with members chosen all over the state. To be considered, you need a perfect score on the highest level of NYSSMA for your instrument (a New York instrumental skill test that occurs around March-April) and get a recommendation by your NYSSMA judge. There were thousands of people who took NYSSMA level 6, and only about 100 were picked to perform in the orchestra, as well as around 100 alternates.
I qualified to be an alternate for the NYSSMA All-State Orchestra in 11th grade and went to the conference in 12th grade from one of the most competitive music regions in New York.
My All State Violin alternate acceptance letter
Me and my piano teacher at the SPTF Honors Recital
SPTF, or Suffolk Piano Teachers' Foundation, is a county-wide piano teachers foundation. They host a piano competition for all their students, with divisions ranging from Elementary (the easiest) to Late Advanced (the most difficult). Each division has about 20 people, of which 3 are winners.
In 9th grade, I tied for 3rd place in the Late Advanced division, despite being the youngest in the division.
Group picture at the Honors Recital, commemorating all those awarded in the SPTF Competition
MYO, or Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, is an orchestra of pre-college students from all over New York, and has some of the best musicians in the area. Every 2 summers they host a tour, where anyone who qualified to be in MYO can come with them to play around the world.
I qualified for MYO's Symphony Orchestra (the middle of 3 levels) in 7th grade. With the Symphony Orchestra, I played in halls such as the Staller Center at Stony Brook University, Tilles Center at LIU Post, and Lincoln Center in NYC.
In the summer of 8th grade, the location of the MYO tour was Spain. My brother and I traveled around Spain, performing for hundreds to thousands of people at a time in places from a music hall to a church. It was an enlightening experience for me, to play with a talented orchestra all around Spain and perform in front of many wonderful Spanish people.
In 10th grade, I went with the MYO tour, this time in Eastern Europe, across cities like Berlin. Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, again performing in front of thousands of people in each venue. Being able to see the beautiful sights of Eastern Europe, as well as seeing music history and performing in grand concert venues was truly a unique experience, and one I likely won't forget.
11th grade was the year I qualified for MYO's Principal Orchestra, the highest orchestra in MYO. Through the Principal Orchestra, not only did I get to play in the same venues as with the Symphony Orchestra, but we additionally got to play in Carnegie Hall at the end of the year.
Me with my brother during the MYO Spain tour
Me playing in the MYO Europe tour orchestra
Me with the other MYO Spain Tour members
Piano for Patients is a Long Island organization dedicated to providing the gift of music to the elderly and sick in nursing homes and hospitals. There are several branches of this organization, from Brooklyn to Massapequa. Each branch has a leader, who founded the branch, and who directs and sets times for all activities of the branch.
I am the branch leader for my local branch for Piano for Patients. I have already began performing for the local nursing homes and Stony Brook Hospital with a group of talented and passionate pianists, and the program is growing continually.
Me playing at the Atria senior living facility
2 members of Piano for Patients playing a duet
Me and some of the other Piano for Patients members in May
Me playing violin at Piano for Patients, with a piano accompaniment
Our high school has 3 orchestra levels: regular orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, and Chamber Orchestra (from least difficult to most difficult). Chamber Orchestra is incredibly difficult to get in, as even people who play NYSSMA level 6 (the highest level) pieces may not get in.
I qualified for Chamber Ensemble entering high school, but it wasn't until the year after, 11th grade, that I qualified for Chamber Orchestra. And due to my piano skills, in 12th grade, I am the designated piano accompanist.
Me playing in the Chamber Orchestra