Piano students participate in Piano Guild Auditions

Congratulations goes out to four of our music students!


Four piano students at the Patel Conservatory recently participated in the National Piano Guild Auditions in Tampa. The auditions provided the students with an opportunity to perform in front of a judge and get feedback.

“Having a performance gives students a goal to work towards. It gives them an incentive to practice more,” said Melo Pfingsten, of Town N’ Country. Her children John Pfingsten, 10, and Abigale Pfingsten, 11, both participated in the auditions.

“As a piano teacher, I like to encourage my students to participate in recitals, workshops and competitions, as well as partake in other artistic activities that could benefit their musical growth,” said piano instructor John Hernandez.

John Pfingsten performed music by Beethoven, Biehl, Agay and Klose in the elementary level. Abigale participated in the intermediate level, performing music by Bach, Kuhlau, Kabalevsky and Hartsell.

According to Hernandez, the judge said of Abigale’s performance, “Bach's polonaise was very elegant and dance-like. Kabalevsky had an excellent tempo, sense of meter, phrasing and articulation.”

This was Abigale’s third year participating in the Piano Guild auditions, including twice as a piano student in North Carolina.

“The first year was a little nerve-racking, but now it is easier because I know what to expect,” said Abigale. “I would encourage anyone who plays the piano to do the Guild auditions because it challenges you, and it gives you someone else’s opinion on how you play, not just your teacher.”

Abigale began at the Patel Conservatory last year with piano lessons and has enjoyed her experience so much that she's since signed up for theater and ballet classes.

In addition to John and Abigale, Ethan Lee, 8, participated in the Piano Guild auditions in the intermediate level, performing music by Bach, Beethoven, and Gliere, and Dianne Lee, 12, participated in the preparatory (advanced) level, performing music by Mendelssohn, Khachaturian, and Debussy.

These students also participated in The National Federation of Music Clubs event this past February.

“I was very proud of my students for their performances and their commitment to learning,” said Hernandez. “We all look forward to more opportunities to continue making music."