2026 Piano Distinction

July 1, 2026

The Piano Department would like to congratulate the following students for achieving Distinction in the 2026 Spring Juries.

Certificate Jury

Level 1
Delina Abemelek	Student of Luis Gonzalez
Makina Tiayon	Student of Natalie Ormsby
Lee Weiss-Wallace	Student of Cecilia Cho
Level 2
Camila Acosta	Student of Dawoon Jung
Santiago Acosta	Student of Dawoon Jung
Sunwoo Chung	Student of Sayaka Jordan
Audrey Liou	Student of Mark Irchai
Thomas Nuzum	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Anisha Ravindran	Student of Andrea Sagripanti
Level 3
Eudora Deal	Student of Natalie Ormsby
Flora Emmet Stewart	Student of Cecilia Cho
Felix Gien	Student of Mark Irchai
Fiona Gien	Student of Mark Irchai
Livy Grimmig	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Diana Kessler	Student of Amanda Halstead
Phuong Mai Pham	Student of Minji Kim
Ella Sewell	Student of Amanda Halstead
Ulysses Shen	Student of Katerina Zaitseva
Eitan Zingerman	Student of Anna Soukiassian
Level 4
Anika Abhyankar	Student of Sayaka Jordan
Paz Andrade	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Mirei Araki	Student of Sayaka Jordan
Spencer Dixon	Student of Kim Yi
Suren Habibzadeh	Student of Sayaka Jordan
Charlotte Hong	Student of Andrea Sagripanti
Obiora (Obi) Nnaemeka Fertik	Student of Karen Bartman
Zoe Templo	Student of Michael Noble
Alexander Vignon	Student of Sean Cavanaugh
Asher Yang	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Level 5
Riley Ding	Student of Dasha Gabay
Eloise Lichtenberger	Student of Jamila Tekalli Hanner
Michelle Niu	Student of Grace Liu
Lucas Pastor	Student of Hyeweon Gessner
Akshara Potla	Student of Jamila Tekalli Hanner
Eva Sledge	Student of Natalie Ormsby
Carys Winder	Student of Jamila Tekalli Hanner
Esme Yang	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Felicity Zhang	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Level 6
Kantaro Araki	Student of Sayaka Jordan
Issei Endo	Student of Klyde Ledamo
Samuel Espinoza	Student of Junghee Son
Dogukan Koc	Student of David Davenport
Calvin K’Vong	Student of Sean Cavanaugh
Rayhan Shams	Student of Mark Irchai
Max Slage	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Emma Waterman	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Miriam Wicentowski	Student of Kim Yi
Malachi Winder	Student of Jamila Tekalli Hanner
Level 7
Hanna Endo	Student of Sean Cavanaugh
Jenna Franke	Student of Amanda Halstead
Genevieve Lichtenberger	Student of Jamila Tekalli Hanner
Chelsea Newman	Student of Artur Aksenov
Level 8
Philip Chen	Student of Dasha Gabay
Lucas Liu	Student of Ching-Yi Lin
Pietro Magistretti	Student of Martin Labazevitch
Level 9
Casey Didden	Student of Hyeweon Gessner
Jason Ding	Student of Dasha Gabay
Minjae Jeon	Student of Jinha Park
Will McAllister	Student of Jason Solounias
Level 10
Arriam Gebre	Student of Dasha Gabay
David Yang-Watkins	Student of Deborah Lloyd

General Jury

Primer
Bora Arslan	Student of Andrea Sagripanti
Level 1
Saki Arai	Student of Andrea Sagripanti
Allyn Cherry	Student of Rachel Chen
Bryce Cherry	Student of Rachel Chen
Cecily Glass	Student of Ariel Nathanson Bolinja
Rishaan Kar	Student of Keiju Takehara
Isabel Lawson	Student of Michael Noble
Claire Li	Student of Minji Kim
Billie Lin-Guilford	Student of Junghee Son
Ione Lundry	Student of Ariel Nathanson Bolinja
Aria Moore-Solorzano	Student of Mark Irchai
Lillian Mungall	Student of Dawoon Jung
Chippy Olwin	Student of Crystal Jiang
Mayura Sethupathy	Student of Darya Gabay
Caroline Useem	Student of Dawoon Jung
Tyler Useem	Student of Dawoon Jung
Jack Ventresca	Student of Victor Shklyar
Level 2
Elisabeth Amin	Student of Sean Cavanaugh
August Aum	Student of Amanda Halstead
Ansel Burgette	Student of Katerina Zaitseva
Nora Cakmak	Student of Katerina Zaitseva
Avery Chen	Student of Michael Noble
Mira Chernoff	Student of Ariel Nathanson Bolinja
Zoey Clowes	Student of Amanda Halstead
Kaia Conners	Student of Rachel Chen
Henry Gao	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Jai Gupta	Student of Ching-Yi Lin
Gabrielle Hallegatte	Student of Minji Kim
Tessa Hildner	Student of Katerina Zaitseva
Kiara Leal	Student of Sean Cavanaugh
Sylvie Lichtenberger	Student of Ariel Nathanson Bolinja
Noa Maltese	Student of Luke Ratcliffe
Toki Matthijs	Student of Junghee Son
Milo Mitchell	Student of Katerina Zaitseva
Nora Moody	Student of Grace Liu
Jeremiah Otubusin-Reese	Student of Paul Bratcher
Gabriel Pike	Student of Luke Ratcliffe
Elsa Puerto	Student of Hyeweon Gessner
Charlie Ramos-Carrillo	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Bodhisattwa Sabud	Student of Grace Liu
Julia Savage	Student of Rachel Chen
Vera Sharma	Student of Ariel Nathanson Bolinja
Bradley Silver	Student of Miho Sparling
Immanuel Simonson	Student of Minji Kim
Clare Stone	Student of Luis Gonzalez
Emerson West	Student of Sayaka Jordan
Tiantian Zhang	Student of Crystal Jiang
Level 3
Anna Caron	Student of Kim Yi
Elliott Cheung	Student of Andrea Sagripanti
Riddhima Dey	Student of Grace Liu
Grady Dorris	Student of David Davenport
Liev Elkis	Student of Dawoon Jung
Jonathan Guo	Student of Dawoon Jung
Yasmeen Haas	Student of Grace Liu
Alex Koay	Student of Victor Shklyar
Patrick Kochan	Student of Ariel Nathanson Bolinja
Julia Beitler Leoni	Student of Barbro Dahlman
Max McGuire	Student of Luke Ratcliffe
Devik Raman	Student of Cecilia Cho
Audrey Scritchfield	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Noa van Houwelingen	Student of Junghee Son
Desmond West	Student of Sayaka Jordan
Level 4
Rishita Dey	Student of Grace Liu
Julian Fields	Student of Victor Shklyar
Aria Foruhan	Student of Kim Yi
John Gartz	Student of Victor Shklyar
Maxime Goussev	Student of Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal
Luji Issa	Student of Minji Kim
Liam Jean	Student of Victor Shklyar
Anna Li	Student of Wen-Yin Chan
Azadeh Moghimi	Student of Melinda Baird
Faith Reyes	Student of Amanda Halstead
Level 5
Triton Grigsby	Student of Ching-Yi Lin
Olivia Lee	Student of Gina Hong
Juhi Maheshwary	Student of Andrea Sagripanti
Stella McGuire	Student of Luke Ratcliffe
Gustave Peterson	Student of Keiju Takehara
Ian Richards	Student of Melinda Baird
Dhiren Sellgren	Student of Ariel Nathanson Bolinja

Level 6
David Badmus	Student of Andrea Sagripanti
Benedict Chen-Bianchetti	Student of Artur Aksenov
Talia Makris Fonda	Student of Andrea Sagripanti
Gwyneth Nakata	Student of Andrea Sagripanti
Jonathan Peng	Student of Gina Hong
Olivia Stevens	Student of Natalia Efremova
Level 7
Kasra Tavakoli	Student of Kim Yi
Level 8
Kevin Ha	Student of Andrea Sagripanti
Level 9
Anastasia Fitenko	Student of Martin Labazevitch
Gabrielle Ghozland	Student of Rachel Chen
Level 10
Uma Das	Student of Cecilia Cho

Jazz Piano Jury

Talia Makris Fonda

Student of Paul Bratcher

Adult Jury

Erika Bainbridge	Student of Michael Noble
Linda Bauch	Student of Patrick O’Donnell
Lisa Capuano	Student of Gina Hong
Hon-Cheong Chan	Student of Artur Aksenov
Christy Cherry	Student of Dawoon Jung
Jung Choi	Student of Grace Liu
David Crane	Student of Wen-Yin Chan
Catherine Defontaine	Student of Naira Babayan
Alan Elsner	SStudent of Luke Ratcliffe
Emily Gironda	Student of Natalia Efremova
Yuko Hashimoto	Student of Sayaka Jordan
Atsuko Horiguchi	Student of Sam Post
Tiffany Houghton	Student of Ariel Nathanson Bolinja
Benjamin Hsu	Student of Darya Gabay
Erich Huang	Student of Michael Noble
Liang Huang	Student of Ching-Yi Lin
Asami Kasai	Student of Mark Irchai
Grace Lai	Student of Deborah Lloyd
Chelsea Lee	Student of Jason Solounias
Jorge Lopez Silva	Student of Artur Aksenov
Christopher Mesick	Student of Irina Kats
Kimberly Minarik	Student of Topher Ruggiero
Dina Munasifi	Student of Luis Gonzalez
Michael Qian	Student of Rachel Chen
Alex Rehding	Student of Artur Aksenov
Derek Sharp	Student of Ching-Yi Lin
Cinnamon Sipper	Student of Sayaka Jordan
Julia Vaillant	Student of Anna Soukiassian

Levine Welcomes Three New Trustees

July 1, 2026

Levine Music is pleased to welcome three accomplished community leaders to our Board of Trustees: Jill Herscot, Joachim Roski, and Mary Stuart McCamy. Each brings a trove of professional expertise and a deep commitment to strengthening communities through music education.

Jill Herscot has built a distinguished career in international business development, global branding, and marketing, serving in leadership roles with global media companies including Reed International, Discovery Channel, and AOL. As a member of the team that launched AOL services worldwide, she helped shape one of the most influential technology platforms of its time. More recently, Jill has worked as a consultant to technology companies, investors, and nonprofit organizations, advising on board development, marketing, human resources, and strategic initiatives.

A dedicated civic leader, Jill has served on the Board of Directors of Sitar Arts Center for more than 12 years, where she has played a pivotal role in board engagement, strategic planning, fundraising, and community outreach. Her extensive volunteer service also includes leadership and advisory roles with Children’s National Hospital, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Imagination Stage, the American Jewish Committee, and numerous educational institutions throughout the Washington region.

“Arts education creates confidence, connection, and opportunity for young people and strengthens communities as a whole,” said Jill. “I am inspired by Levine’s commitment to ensuring that high-quality music education is accessible to all, and I look forward to helping expand that impact throughout our region.”

Dr. Joachim Roski currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Whitman-Walker Health System in Washington, D.C., where he helps advance greater access to healthcare through research, advocacy, and philanthropy. He recently retired after more than 35 years in health technology, policy, and management consulting, most recently serving as Managing Director at EY.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Roski held leadership roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, the Brookings Institution’s Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, Allina Health, and the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health.

“Organizations like Levine play a vital role in building vibrant communities,” said Dr. Roski. “Music brings people together, fosters lifelong learning, and enhances health and quality of life. I am honored to support Levine’s work and its commitment to making music education available to everyone.”

Mary Stuart McCamy has dedicated her career and volunteer service to education, literacy, public service, and nonprofit leadership. She currently serves as a literacy tutor with Reading Partners and previously served on the organization’s board. Her extensive volunteer experience also includes leadership roles with Compass Pro Bono, Higher Achievement, Alliance Française de Washington, and Elon University’s Parents Council.

Earlier in her career, Mary Stuart worked as a Legislative Assistant to US Senator Wyche Fowler, Jr., where she managed policy initiatives related to renewable energy, public land preservation, water conservation, and the rights of Tribal Historic Preservation Offices. She holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and a bachelor’s degree in French Language and Literature from Davidson College.

“Access to education and the arts can have a profound impact on individuals and communities,” said Mary Stuart. “Levine’s dedication to excellence, opportunity, and lifelong learning is deeply meaningful to me, and I am excited to contribute to its mission and future growth.”

Learn more about Levine’s Board of Trustees.

A Musical Tribute to 50 Years of Levine

June 16, 2026

Our 50th Anniversary Student Showcase Concert brought together students, faculty, families, and friends for an inspiring evening celebrating the artistry, creativity, and achievements of the Levine community.

A special highlight of the evening was the world premiere of New Canzona for the Fiftieth Year, a brass quintet commissioned in honor of Levine’s 50th anniversary. Composed by Levine faculty member and Chair of Music Theory and Composition Evan Meier, the work draws inspiration from the rich textures, syncopated rhythms, and ceremonial grandeur of the late Renaissance composer Giovanni Gabrieli while reimagining the canzona for contemporary audiences. Through its blend of historical influence and modern musical language, the piece honors Levine’s first fifty years and looks ahead to the future.

50 Years of Memories: Music for All

June 10, 2026

Levine is celebrating 50 glorious years of music-making all year long!

Join us in celebrating our students and faculty and the three incredible women who founded Levine – Ruth Cogen, Diana Engel, and Jackie Marlin – whose vision was, and still is, music for all.

In this short video, Ari O’Neal (who today performs with the likes of Beyoncé, John Legend, and Usher) reflects on the role Levine played in her life and career. You’ll also meet Christy Smith, a music therapy student, and Rachael Abbott, a voice student, whose experiences show the many ways Levine creates a welcoming place for students of all ages, backgrounds, and musical paths.

Watch their stories and learn more about Levine’s enduring commitment to music for all.

As we approach the end of our fiscal year on June 30, please make a gift to the Annual Fund today in honor of all our students, faculty, and alumni for their musicianship, perseverance, and dedication to their craft. Your gift helps ensure more students like Ari can realize their dreams.

Donate Today

Your Levine Story

Do you have a Levine story, performance memory, teacher tribute, or special moment you’d like to tell us about? We invite you to record and submit your own memory as part of our ongoing anniversary project.

Share Your Story

50 Years of Memories: Anne Evans

May 18, 2026

As part of Levine Music’s 50th Anniversary celebration, we’ve been reflecting on the people and stories that have shaped our community over the years.

Anne Evans is a longtime member of Levine’s Board of Trustees whose connection to the school spans more than three decades. Anne joined the Board in the early 1990s, served on numerous committees, and led the Board as President.

Originally trained as a violinist, Anne came to Levine to study voice with beloved longtime faculty member Charles Williams. “It was really the music that brought me to Levine,” she reflects. “Levine is a place for everybody — a place where you can truly live your life in music.”

Your Levine Story

Share Your Story

In Conversation with Dr. Takeaki Miyamae

May 7, 2026

In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, our latest Community Conversation, hosted by Evan Meier, explores the impact and legacy of the Suzuki method teaching philosophy. Originally developed in Japan by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, the method has grown into a widely practiced and truly international approach to musical training that emphasizes listening, tone development, and early musical immersion. Joined by Levine flute faculty member Dr. Takeaki Miyamae, who studied with Suzuki Flute School founder Toshio Takahashi, the conversation reflects on the teaching traditions and artistic values that continue to shape musicians worldwide.

The conversation also highlights Takeaki’s work as a neuroscientist, exploring how studying music engages the brain and connects to language development and higher-order thinking. Based on his research, he provides insights into how musical training promotes both cognitive and artistic growth.

Learn about Levine’s Suzuki Programs

- May 12
- 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EDT
Lecture | The Power of Music Education: What Neuroscience and Performance Reveal

This presentation explores how instrumental practice and music education shape brain development and aging, drawing on recent scientific research and findings from Levine flute faculty member and neuroscientist Dr. Takeaki Miyamae’s own research in the field.

Learn More

2026 Marlin-Engel Solo Competition Results

April 26, 2026

The Marlin-Engel Solo Competition was established by the Board of Trustees of Levine Music in 1980 to honor Jackie Marlin and Diana Engel, two of the school’s founders and co-directors from 1976 to 1980. Originally offering a single “Marlin-Engel prize,” the competition today offers awards in both piano, strings, and instrumental categories and three age divisions: Junior (up to age 9), Intermediate (ages 10-13), and Senior (ages 14-18). The first-place prize for piano is the Ida Canter Prize, established by Dr. Jane Loeffler and her family as a tribute to her grandmother.

The 2026 Competition took place on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Each participant performed two solo works or movements that contrast in style and period.

Congratulations to all the participants, their teachers, and their families!

Awards

Congratulations to all the finalists and their extraordinary teachers!

Strings Junior

1st Place: Eva Frelinghuysen, student of Henry Stubbs
2nd Place: Riddhima Dey, student of Annabelle Berthomé-Reynolds; Emerson Kim, student of Maxfield Wollam-Fisher

Instrumental Intermediate

1st Place: Felix Karacsony-Major, student of Claire Eichhorn
2nd Place: Chloe Chu, student of Virgilio Joven; Jerome Amon, student of Henry Stubbs; Momo Sasaki, student of Virgilio Joven
Honorable Mention: Henri Espinoza, student of Susan Katsarelis

Instrumental Senior

1st Place: Aden Garland, student of Leo Sushansky
2nd Place: Joshua Badmus, student of Patrick LeStrange; Zoie Chu, student of Britton Riley
Honorable Mention: Lucca Farkas, student of Jorge Amaral

Piano Junior

1st Place: Mirei Araki, student of Sayaka Jordan
2nd Place: Faith Reyes, student of Amanda Halstead; Diana Kessler, student of Amanda Halstead
Honorable Mention: Zoey Clowes, student of Amanda Halstead

Piano Intermediate

1st Place: Pietro Magistretti, student of Martin Labazevitch
2nd Place: Jason Ding, student of Darya Gabay
Honorable Mention: Nina Sejd, student of Rachel Chen; Kantaro Araki, student of Sayaka Jordan

Piano Senior

1st Place, Ida Canter Prize: Neel Perdue, student of Martin Labazevitch
2nd Place: Uma Das, student of Cecilia Cho
Honorable Mention: Casey Didden, student of Hyeweon Gessner; Dalia Azam-Naseeruddin, student of Darya Gabay

Special thanks to: Aaron Percy, Recording Engineer; Jinha Park, competition organizer; Dasha Gabay and Irina Kats, collaborative pianists; and our judges, Stephen Czarkowski, Ivo Kaltchev, Troy King, Carolyn Hyun Ha Oh, Joanna Owens, and Mayron Tsong.

This program has been made possible through the generous support of the Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation, Inc.

2026 Misbin Family Memorial Chamber Music Competition Winners

April 20, 2026

Designed to support the development of young artists and celebrate the lifelong creativity of DC-area performers, the Misbin Family Memorial Chamber Music Competition is open to instrumental chamber music students and adult amateur musicians. Participants are adjudicated by a panel of judges made up of distinguished performers, teachers, and other recognized members of the greater Washington music community.

The competition is open to the public free of charge—a great opportunity to hear promising young artists in a varied program. Winners receive cash awards and opportunities to perform in prestigious venues across the Washington, DC metro region.

The 2026 competition took place on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Special thanks to this year’s judges, Miriam Friedman, Dr. Lester Green, and Jillian Chioma Uzuegbu.

Levine Music and Washington Performing Arts gratefully acknowledge Dr. Robert Misbin as well as the support of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Awards

Congratulations to all the finalists and their extraordinary teachers and coaches!

Junior Division

First Place: Nonchalant Tarantulas (Philip Thankachan, Felix Karacsony-Major, Nina Sejd; coached by Victor Galindo)
Second Place ex aequo: Harmonics Quartet (Daniel Won, Jonathan Y. Chi, Jules Amyot, Minjae Jeon; coached by Jinha Park) and Trio con brio (Chloe Chu, Vienne Wong, Jason Ding; coached by Jasmin Lee)
Honorable Mentions: Tres vif duo (Chloe Chu, Akira Inoue; coached by Agata Miklavc) and Bellevue Colloquy Duo (Benjamina Bolger, Stephen Chen; coached by John Kaboff)

Senior Division

First Place: Blair String Quartet (Alex Zhao, Yixuan Li, Daphne Wen, Caleb Fan; coached by Claudia Chudacoff)
Second Place ex aequo: Babad and the Janians (Sam Brose, Bright Wang, Ishaan Banerjee; coached by Anna Soukiassian) and DSCH String Quartet (Sophia Lee, Hyunseo Lee, Eugene Chung, Edwin Chung; coached by Jie Kim)
Honorable Mentions: Triple Duke Trio (Jiles Defosse, Elaine Zhang, Sanjeev Belle Trichur; coached by Angelia Cho) and Sisyphus Quartet (Leah Pang, Eliza Hunt, Kweku Adusei-Poku, James David; coached by Tsuna Sakamoto)

Adult Amateur Division

First Place: Huntington Sextet (Tanya Lee, Teri Manolio, Rhett Summers, Andrew Tangborn, Leila Duman, Ken Hawes)
Second Place: Bull Run Post Office Piano Quartet (Hai Jin Kim, Reed Trevelyan, Matt Kupferman, Kurt Usowski)

Misbin Family Memorial Award

Indulo Duo (Anne Valerie Ter, Neel Perdue; coached by Darya Gabay)

Spring Performance Week

April 6, 2026

Spring Performance Week will take place from Monday, May 11, to Sunday, May 17. Performance Week offers private lesson students a supportive and encouraging environment for developing performance skills. Students receive written feedback from faculty members on their performance.

Use the dropdowns below to learn more about the Performance Week activities for your department.

All sign-ups will open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your teacher or department chair.

Guitar

Schedule

Monday, May 11

Classical, Contemporary, and Suzuki / VA Campus: West Falls / 2:00 – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, May 12

Classical / DC Campus: NW / 2:00 – 9:00 PM
Contemporary / DC Campus: NW / 3:00 – 9:00 PM

Wednesday, May 13

Classical and Suzuki / DC Campus: NW / 2:00 – 9:00 PM
Contemporary / DC Campus: NW / 3:00 – 9:00 PM

Thursday, May 14

Classical and Suzuki / DC Campus: NW / 2:00 – 9:00 PM
Contemporary / MD Campus: Silver Spring / 3:00 – 9:00 PM

Friday, May 15

Classical, Contemporary, and Suzuki / MD Campus: Strathmore / 3:00 – 9:00 PM

Repertoire Requirements

1–2 Solo Repertoire, preferably of contrasting styles, no longer than 7 minutes total.
Scales, arpeggios, slurs, or any technical study (optional).
A short selection will be given to each student to sightread, according to their level.
Dress code: Performance attire

If you do not know your repertoire, please contact your teacher before signing up.

Contact

Mia Pomerantz, Guitar Department Chair, MPomerantz@levinemusic.org

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

You will need to fill out a separate form for each student in your family. Please select one date and one time slot that works best for your schedule.

Guitar Sign Up

Percussion

Schedule

Monday, May 11 / Panel Jury / DC Campus: NW / 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 16 / Panel Jury / DC Campus: NW / 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Repertoire Requirements

1–2 Solo Repertoire (required)
Scales, Rudiments, or Technical Study (optional)

You should consult with your private teacher to determine what repertoire you will perform in your jury. You will be asked at the beginning of your jury to announce each of your selections.

Contact

Dr. Jinha Park, Department Manager, jpark@levinemusic.org

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

You will need to fill out a separate form for each student in your family. You will need to choose a 10-minute time slot during which you will perform. Please select one date and one time slot that works best for your schedule.

Percussion Sign up

Piano

Schedule

The Piano Department’s Performance Week Schedule is available here.

In-Person Options

Beginner Recital & Introduction to Performing
General Jury – graded, ungraded, and adult
Certificate Jury
Level 10 Certificate Jury
Jazz Jury

Virtual Options

Zoom Recitals
Video Submission Jury

Learn More

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact the piano chair at your campus:

Sayaka Jordan, Piano Department Chair (MD and Virtual Campuses), sjordan@levinemusic.org
Deborah Lloyd (DC Campus: NW), dlloyd@levinemusic.org
Topher Ruggiero (VA Campuses), truggiero@levinemusic.org
Paul Bratcher (DC Campus: THEARC), pbratcher@levinemusic.org

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Video Submission Jury deadline is May 5 at 11:59 PM.

Piano Sign Up

Strings

Schedule

Monday, May 11

Standard Jury / DC Campus: NW / 3:45 – 9:00 PM
Beginner Recital / DC Campus: NW / 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Standard Jury / VA Campus: West Falls / 4:00 – 7:30 PM

Tuesday, May 12

Standard Jury / DC Campus: NW / 3:45 – 9:00 PM
Standard Jury / VA Campus: West Falls / 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Standard Jury / DC Campus: THEARC / 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Wednesday, May 13

Standard Jury / DC Campus: NW / 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Standard Jury / MD Campus: Strathmore / 3:30 – 9:00 PM
Beginner Recital / MD Campus: Strathmore / 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Thursday, May 14

Standard Jury / VA Campus: West Falls / 3:45 – 9:00 PM
Beginner Recital / VA Campus: West Falls / 5:00 – 5:45 PM

Friday, May 15

Standard Jury / DC Campus: NW / 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Harp Jury / DC Campus: NW / 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Standard Jury / MD Campus: Strathmore / 4:00 – 9:00 PM

Saturday, May 16

Standard Jury / DC Campus: NW / 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Standard Jury / MD Campus: Silver Spring / 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Beginner Recital / MD Campus: Silver Spring / 1:15 – 1:45 PM

Contact

Dr. Patrick LeStrange, Strings Department Chair, plestrange@levinemusic.org

Standard Juries

Students play for several strings faculty members and receive written feedback outlining what is going well in their lessons and areas for growth.

Beginning Level: Suzuki Book 1 and 2, or equivalent level

1 scale and arpeggio
Solo No. 1
Etude OR Solo No. 2
Sightreading

Intermediate Level: Suzuki Book 3, or equivalent level

1 major scale and 1 minor scale with corresponding arpeggios
Etude
Solo
Sightreading

Advanced Level: Suzuki Book 4+ or equivalent level

1 major scale and 1 minor scale with corresponding arpeggios
Etude**
Solo
SIghtreading

**Can be replaced with audition materials, or solo Bach

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Strings Standard Jury Sign Up

Beginner Recitals

Beginning students play for an audience of friendly parents and peers. No scales/sight reading.

School-age students who are in the beginning stages of their musical journey.
Repertoire: One or two pieces.
Performance attire

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Strings Beginner Recital Sign Up

Video Submission

Video Submission (Adults ONLY: Alternative option to in-person standard jury)

The video submission deadline is May 4.
Video submissions will be evaluated by 3 faculty members.
Comments will be returned no later than May 17.

Video Submission Form

Suzuki Strings

Schedule

Monday, May 11

Critique Recital / MD Campus: Strathmore / 4:30 – 5:30 PM
Skills Achievement Event / MD Campus: Strathmore / 4:30 – 5:30 PM
Critique Recital / MD Campus: Strathmore / 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Skills Achievement Event / MD Campus: Strathmore / 5:30 – 6:30 PM

Tuesday, May 12

Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 4:30 – 5:30 PM
Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: NW / 4:30 – 5:30 PM
Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: NW / 5:30 – 6:30 PM

Wednesday, May 13

Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: NW / 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Thursday, May 14

Skills Achievement Event / VA Campus: West Falls / 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Critique Recital / VA Campus: West Falls / 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, May 16

Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: NW / 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: NW / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Critique Recital / DC Campus: THEARC / 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: THEARC / 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Critique Recital Repertoire Requirements

Solo Repertoire as recommended by your teacher.
Students in Books 1 and 2 may perform two pieces.
Maximum Lengths: 7 minutes

Skills Achievement Event

Scale/arpeggio (memorization required)
Tonalization (optional, memorization preferred)
Technical Etude (memorization not required)
Sightreading Option, Book 2 and up

Contact

Dr. Amanda Halstead, Director of Suzuki Instruction, AHalstead@levinemusic.org

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Suzuki Strings Sign Up

Suzuki Winds and Brass

Schedule

Monday, May 11

Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 6:15 – 7:15 PM

Repertoire Requirements

Solo Repertoire as recommended by your teacher.   
Students may perform two pieces.
Maximum Lengths: 7 minutes

Contact

Dr. Amanda Halstead, Director of Suzuki Instruction, AHalstead@levinemusic.org

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Suzuki Winds and Brass Sign Up

Voice

Schedule

Monday, May 11 / MD Campus: Strathmore

Critique Recital / 6:15 – 7:15 PM
Open Recital / 7:30 – 8:30 PM

Tuesday, May 12 / VA Campus: West Falls

Critique Recital / 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Thursday, May 14 / MD Campus: Silver Spring + Virtual

Virtual Recital / 5:45 – 6:45 PM
Critique Recital / 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Friday, May 15 / DC Campus: NW

Private Jury / 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Critique Recital / 6:15 – 7:15 PM
Adult Recital / 7:30 – 8:30 PM

In-Person Options

Critiqued Recitals

Recommended for students at intermediate level or above.

Repertoire Requirements:

Two songs selected by teacher and student not to exceed 10 minutes.
Students receive written comments from faculty judges (no grades).
Students will perform with a live accompanist.
Memorization: Preferred.
Dress code: Performance attire

Adult Juries

For adult students of all levels.

Repertoire Requirements:

Two songs selected by teacher and student not to exceed 10 minutes.
Students receive written comments from faculty judges (no grades).
Students will perform with a live pianist.
Memorization: Preferred.
Dress code: Performance attire

Private Juries (Critiqued Jury)

Recommended for students at intermediate level or above.

Repertoire Requirements:

Two songs selected by teacher and student not to exceed 10 minutes.
Students receive written comments from faculty judges (no grades).
Students will perform with a live accompanist.
Memorization: Preferred.
Dress code: Performance attire

Open/Non-Traditional Recital

For all students of all levels, all genres.

Repertoire Requirements:

One or two songs not to exceed 10 minutes.
Students will receive written comments from faculty. No grades.
Students can perform with a live accompanist, accompany themselves, or use a backing track.
Memorization: Preferred.
Dress code: Performance attire

Virtual Options

Zoom Recitals

Open to all students taking traditional lessons.

Repertoire Requirements:

Two pieces selected by teacher and student.
Students receive written comments from faculty jduges (no grades)
Critiqued Recital
Memorization: Preferred.
Dress code: Performance attire

Contact

Dr. Nakia Verner Thompson, Voice Department Chair, NVerner@levinemusic.org

Note: Students cannot participate in more than one recital. With exception of the open recital, all students are to perform music from the traditional repertoire (Classical, Musical Theatre, Folk Songs, Jazz standards, American Songbook, etc.). Please consult with your teacher when choosing your jury repertoire.

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Voice Sign Up

Woodwinds and Brass

Schedule

Monday, May 11 / Panel Jury / DC Campus: NW / 4:30 – 7:30 PM
Wednesday, May 13 / Panel Jury / VA Campus: West Falls / 4:00 – 7:30 PM
Thursday, May 14 / Panel Jury / DC Campus: NW / 4:30 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 16 / Panel Jury / MD Campus: Strathmore / 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Repertoire Requirements

Please bring two extra copies of your music for the judges.

Technical Component

Traditional students: 1-2 scales (may offer more if they have them)

Solo Repertoire

1-2 pieces as recommended by your teacher
Length: 3-7 minutes total for both pieces
Beginning students may perform less than 3 minutes

Sightreading

Required for students with 2 years of experience or more
Optional for students with fewer than 2 years of experience

If you do not know your repertoire, please contact your teacher before signing up.

Contact

Dr. Ceylon Mitchell, Woodwinds Department Chair, cmitchell@levinemusic.org
Dr. Philippe Brunet, Brass Department Chair, pbrunet@levinemusic.org

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Woodwind and Brass Sign Up

2026 Irena Orlov Adult Piano Competition Winners

March 22, 2026

Inaugurated in 2020, the Irena Orlov Memorial Piano Competition for Adult Students remembers and celebrates our beloved friend and faculty member, Irena Orlov. For over 30 years, Irena was a pillar of Levine and our piano department. During her remarkable career, she taught and mentored hundreds of students and faculty, helping each of them achieve their best.

The 2026 Competition took place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at our DC Campus: NW, with divisions for intermediate and advanced adult piano students.

Congratulations to all the participants, their teachers, and their families!

Awards

Congratulations to all the finalists and their extraordinary teachers!

Intermediate Division

First Place: Alex Rehding, student of Artur Aksenov
Second Place: Fern Hunt, student of Rachel Chen
Third Place: Cameron Brown, student of Ching-Yi Lin; Terri Scadron, student of Victor Shklyar
Honorable Mention: Philip Sharp, student of Naira Babayan

Advanced Division

First Place: Melina Zohn, student of Ralitza Patcheva
Second Place: Landin Thorsted, student of Naira Babayan
Third Place: Dylan Tran, student of Ching-Yi Lin; Hon-Cheong Chan, student of Artur Aksenov
Honorable Mention: AnnElizabeth McMahon, student of Katerina Zaitseva; Joseph Vetter, student of Ching-Yi Lin

Special thanks to: Jinha Park, competition organizer; Jeffery Beaudry and Nikita Fitenko, competition judges; and the Levine campus staff.

Certificate Jury

General Jury

Jazz Piano Jury

Adult Jury

Your Levine Story

Your Levine Story

Lecture | The Power of Music Education: What Neuroscience and Performance Reveal

Awards

Strings Junior

Instrumental Intermediate

Instrumental Senior

Piano Junior

Piano Intermediate

Piano Senior

Awards

Junior Division

Senior Division

Adult Amateur Division

Misbin Family Memorial Award

Guitar

Schedule

Repertoire Requirements

Contact

Sign Up

Percussion

Schedule

Repertoire Requirements

Contact

Sign Up

Piano

Schedule

In-Person Options

Virtual Options

Contact

Sign Up

Strings

Schedule

Contact

Standard Juries

Beginner Recitals

Video Submission

Suzuki Strings

Schedule

Critique Recital Repertoire Requirements

Skills Achievement Event

Contact

Sign Up

Suzuki Winds and Brass

Schedule

Repertoire Requirements

Contact

Sign Up

Voice

Schedule

In-Person Options

Critiqued Recitals

Adult Juries

Private Juries (Critiqued Jury)

Open/Non-Traditional Recital

Virtual Options

Zoom Recitals

Contact

Woodwinds and Brass

Schedule

Repertoire Requirements

Contact

Sign Up

Awards

Intermediate Division

Advanced Division