Monthly Student Musicales: These performances are offered most months throughout the year. These opportunities occur on the stages of local music stores on excellent grand pianos. This is offered through the Denver Area Music Teachers Association. There are also two adult student musicales offered during the year.
Achievement Day: This non-competitive event is sponsored by local music teacher associations every February. This opportunity involves a performance in front of a judge (to provide an evaluation), a performance class for higher level students, various written tests and art and construction projects related to music. This event is a highlight with students each year!
Yamaha and Kawai Piano Competitions: These two competitions are similar in what they offer. There are three categories in which students can participate. Two are competitive and one is non-competitive. These are very popular and VERY competitive. Participation here is encouraged for students who play at a high level and for those who want to gain experience in highly competitive events. These usually occur in March and April.
The Clementi Festival: Unique to Denver, this opportunity is like no other. Students perform works of Clementi, Beethoven, Mozart, Kuhlau and Kabalevsky with a professional six piece ensemble. The ensemble music has been composed by Denver's own John Branson. The students enter by recording their sonatina or sonata with the second piano. If they qualify, they then have the opportunity to perform with the ensemble. This event occurs in the fall and is now in its sixteenth year and has hosted hundreds of students. Please click on performance videos to see a performance of this event.
Master Classes: Occasionally master classes are offered where students can play for a university or conservatory professor or concert artist. These are extremely valuable opportunities for students and participation is highly encouraged and recommended. Simply attending one of these events is a great experience for student and teachers alike.
Performance Incentive Awards:
To encourage and motivate students to perform often in public, Ms. Mishek gives awards to students who perform at least seven events per year. Trophies and medals are awarded after every academic year.
Group Class: Included in the tuition is one group class per quarter. The class takes place in the Student Concert Room at the Mishek Piano Studio. Students perform for each other and comment on the performances. When there is time, there is also group instruction in theory, ear-training and music history with listening.
Additional Performances: Sometimes there are performance opportunities around the community that can fulfill a student's community service requirements for their school. Performances for people in assisted living centers, nursing homes, hospice, shelters and other opportunities can be arranged and are highly rewarding for all who participate.
Copyright 2011 Valerie Mishek. All rights reserved.