Program Book Insert - March Music Student of the Month

Music Students of the MontH Sophie Andrews Grade 8, Chatham Middle School – Nominated by Suzanne Bass Sophie was just accepted into our regional orchestra and will be auditioning for All-State Orchestra in a couple of weeks. She is a member of the New Jersey Youth Ensemble in Berkeley Heights.

Sophie is an outstanding violinist and important member of our school orchestra, playing concertmaster this year. Sophie has volunteered to perform and share her talent on the violin at several district events, including playing in the pit for the All-School Musical, performing at fund-raisers with the high school orchestra and performing for the lower grade students in our Pops Orchestra.

Jessica Barry Grade 11, Chatham High School – Nominated by Michelle Uhler Jessica Barry has been the accompanist for the Chatham High School Concert Choir for almost two years and has done a wonderful job. She has learned a tremendous amount throughout her years as a dedicated member of the choir and is a reliable and excellent asset to the choir and its rehearsals. Whether she is given the music the summer prior or a few months before performance, she works hard on her own and occasionally with a piano teacher to learn the music.

Maria Berezny Grade 12, West Morris Central High School – Nominated by Carol Meiseles I would like to nominate senior viola player Maria Berezny as West Morris Central High School’s Music Student of the Month. Maria has been playing the violin since elementary school and the viola throughout high school.

She plays in the school’s Orchestra, Baroque Orchestra and a student-led string quartet. She is the principal player of the section, where she has played numerous solos, and leads the other students during rehearsals and in sectionals. She is well-respected by her peers for her dedication to music and her ability to work well with students of all levels. Next year, Maria will attend Grove City College, where she will major in Music.

Amanda Cheng Grade 11, West Morris Mendham High School – Nominated by Tim Beadle Amanda has performed at acclaimed concert venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Steinway Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, and the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York. In 2013 she traveled on a classical music tour to Budapest, Hungary to perform at the Hubay Jenő Music School and the Rózsavölgyi Márk Arts School. At the Northern Lights Music Festival in Minnesota she was commended with her duet partner as one of the most outstanding chamber ensemble in the concerto concert. In March 2015 Amanda will compete at the national finals in the prestigious Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) piano duet competition.

Other notable winning include being a Steinway Society piano finalist in 2014, 10-time winner of the Cecilian Young Artist competition, and MTNA NJ runner-up and second runner-up winner in 2012 and 2013.

Jake Cheng Grade 8, Mountain View Middle School- Nominated by William Alzaher Jake is one of the most talented musician I’ve had the honor of teaching. He has been playing piano for almost ten years and has performed at the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. He has won first place in numerous international solo and duet piano competitions. He studies music theory privately and plays piano, cello, clarinet and bass clarinet. He participates is our school orchestra and band and has performed in our talent show.

Arianna Daniels Grade 12, Randolph High School - Nominated by David Imhof Arianna has been active in the choir program at Randolph High School for four years. Towards the end of her sophomore year, she began accompanying the choir on the piano, with her first performance as an accompanist coming at the graduation ceremony that year. Since then she has steadily grown in her abilities and responsibility. This year she is accompanying the choir on all selections where a piano is required. She works on her accompanying and piano skills with the Randolph High School Choir director, Mr. Matthew Swiss.

The 2014-2015 Music Student of the Month program is sponsored by The Provident Bank Foundation

Aiden Giuliani Grade 6, Pequannock Valley Middle - Nominated by Janelle Heise Aidan Giuliani has studied piano with Sean Johnson for the past five years. Mr. Johnson currently performs along with Abigail Breslin in “The Weekenders.” Aidan has performed in recitals in his town of Pompton Plains as well as at the Rockaway Arts Academy. He also performed for his fifth grade graduation for the parents, students, and faculty. At PV, Aidan is an excellent student and musician who is engaged and helpful in class and a fine young man.

Taylor Hine Grade 11, Jefferson Township High School - Nominated by James Wynne Taylor has served as piano accompanist for the JTHS Chorus for the past 2 years - a role he somewhat reluctantly accepted at first, but now embraces whole-heartedly. Because of this experience, he has decided to pursue further preparation in order to audition next year for college as a music education major - with an emphasis on piano. To this end, I have started working with him on this audition. He is a talented and charming young man; quiet almost to a fault, but a gentleman through and through. He is also an excellent Bass II in my Choruses - and will accompany the choir while on tour in Nashville/Memphis in May. Rachel Leung Grade 11, Morristown Beard School - Nominated by Bruce Van Hoven Rachel has been playing piano in some capacity at the Morristown-Beard School since she arrived her freshman year. She has accompanied the chorus for concerts, assemblies, and community performances, is a member of the jazz band, has performed as a soloist for on-campus special events, and even stepped in to play for a rehearsal of our school musical when the accompanist was delayed by bad weather and the whims of NJ Tranist.

She plays beautifully and will take on any task cheerfully.

John Mullen Grade 6, Ridgedale Middle School- Nominated by Sondra Paulson John is a proud member of th RMS Orchestra, RMS Jazz Band, Accompanist for the RMS Chorus, and a member of the Morris Union Jointure Commission Jazz Band. John has an awesome attitude and exceptional piano skills.

He is a natural musician!

Alison Shweh Grade 8, Brooklawn Middle School- Nominated by Joseph Stella Alison is one of the lead clarinet players in the 8th grade band at Brooklawn Middle School. In addition, she is also an exceptional pianist. She is currently playing the piano in the school’s jazz band and the pit orchestra for the Spring musical and has been able to interpret this very difficult music with ease. She is always a pleasure to work with. Alison is an extremely mature, well-mannered and respectful student and a wonderful musician.

Adam Stark Grade 12, Morristown High School- Nominated by Norma Davis As a pianist, Adam performs with expression and energy, with many of his favorite compositions hailing from the Romantic period. A piano student of Michelle Kuo, Adam has performed many solo works and he is currently preparing a senior piano recital that he will perform in the spring. He enjoys collaborating with other musicians and has performed with the MHS Orchestra, as well as with vocalists and ensembles. In the Orchestra, Adam plays the cello and shows his musical enthusiasm in every rehearsal. He is a hard worker, inquisitive, positive, self-motivated, and creative. Adam has composed pieces for piano and cello, choir, wind ensemble, orchestra with piano solo, and marching band warm-ups. Adam will be majoring in music in college, where he will devote his time to his passion for music.

Rebecca Turro Grade 12, High Point Regional High School- Nominated by James Aslanian Becky is an incredibly dedicated and focused student and musicians. She is currently auditioning for colleges and is planning on studying Music Education and Music Composition. I have been teaching Becky composition for a little over a year now and through those lessons she has grown exponentially. She has a thirst for knowledge and performing that sets her apart from her peers. She is also a great leader and teacher. She leads sectionals and helps students who are struggling. I feel that these qualities are what make her a perfect choice for Outstanding Pianist.

Jessica Vogel Grade 8, Frelinghuysen Middle School- Nominated by Samantha Tomblin Jessica is the concertmaster of the 8th grade orchestra at Frelinghuysen and is also the concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra. She also regularly performs with the chorus. In addition, Jessica is an active member in the Abbey Orchestra at Delbarton School in Morristown. This year Jessica was also a violinist in the pit orchestra for our school’s production of Beauty and the Beast. She is an extremely dedicated and hard working student and is committed to the music department here at school. She takes every opportunity to help other members of the orchestra to improve and is also being acknowledged at the district level this year for her outstanding leadership qualities..