Classical Kid Judging

Age: 12

Instrument: Piano

Nominee Responses

Tell us about your musical activities: what instrument(s) you play, for how long, any ensembles you perform with, etc.

I have studied piano since I was 6. I play regularly with older brother and my younger siblings. I also enjoy helping my younger brother learn about the piano when I help him practice and do his theory assignments. It is fun to share the skills I’ve learned with him.

What is your favorite thing about playing your instrument and making music?

My favorite thing about playing the piano is being able to perform in recitals. I am always a little nervous at first, but I enjoy it overall. I like the feeling that people are listening to my music and enjoying it. I also enjoy going back to old pieces and reminding myself of them and the times that I played them.

Tell us about your most memorable musical experience.

My first time to get a trophy at the State Festival was my favorite piano experience. I was 8 years old and very nervous. I had worked very hard to learn my pieces and scales. That morning I was incredibly nervous, but the judge was reassuring when I went in to play. I was able to give my best performance and earned a trophy!

Tell us about your other non-musical activities, including athletics, hobbies, etc.

My non-musical activities include dancing at Bloom Dance Studio where this year I will study ballet and jazz dancing. I also enjoy drawing, participating in swim team over the summer and bike rides with my dad. I am an avid reader, and enjoy many different types of books. My favorite books are usually adventure books.

Why do you listen to Classical 90.7 KVNO?

My dad enjoys classical music the most in our family and listens to KVNO every morning as he gets ready for work. This tradition for him has been an opportunity for me to listen as well so that it is now part of our routine as a family. I especially like listening to pieces I’ve heard at recitals or the symphony before.

Sponsor Responses

Please explain why music is important to your nominee.

Music is important for the student because it gives them an opportunity to dive into other times and places. They love to read, and will often tell us about the time periods that the music they are studying comes from and the events in the world during the time it was composed. It also gives the student an opportunity to stretch themselves mathematically. It is a joy to watch the student shine as they conquer a new sequence or rhythm. The student was naturally very shy as a young child, but the opportunities for performance have given them confidence and poise that I am not sure they could have found elsewhere.

Tell us about your nominee’s musical activities.

The student takes lessons weekly with Anne Madison at the Omaha Conservatory of Music. They enjoy practicing, taking on new challenges, and reaching goals that they set with their teacher. This relationship has been very beautiful to witness, as they have conquered many of their fears about performance.

The student loves to listen to music in the car, with siblings, and on the radio. They regularly perform in the fall and spring recitals, gift of gratitude concert, and for friends and family when we gather. They have also competed at the District and State festivals for several years, always preparing thoroughly and earning superior ratings. The student really enjoys these opportunities.

Briefly describe the special qualities that make your nominee a “Classical Kid.”

The student is a special person who works hard on their music. They love the challenge to make each piece come alive in what they do with the work of her hands. They enjoy that each day they can gain a little more beauty, and love to share it with those around them. Music is also a way to experience other times and places in history, and has provided a window for the student to see the world through a more beautiful lens.

Piece: Harlequinade by Johann Krebs

Student #1 Judging Form

Age: 13

Instrument: Piano

Nominee Responses

Tell us about your musical activities: what instrument(s) you play, for how long, any ensembles you perform with, etc.

I play the piano. I have been playing for around six years, and in that time I have had multiple piano instructors. I began lessons with the Omaha Conservatory of Music in spring this year after a break of almost a year, because I missed playing piano.

What is your favorite thing about playing your instrument and making music?

What I love most about piano is being able to make something beautiful. I also like seeing the progress I’ve made, because it can inspire me to practice harder.

Tell us about your most memorable musical experience.

My most memorable music experience was my first recital at the Conservatory. I had done recitals previously, but always with a very small audience. This was my first time playing on a stage in front of an auditorium of people, and it was kind of nerve-racking. It was a good experience though, and it was fun to show other people what I had been working on.

Tell us about your other non-musical activities, including athletics, hobbies, etc.

I run cross country, and I am a Scout in troop 319. I love to learn, so I like to read math and physics books. I also like to read novels and go on bike rides, and I like to draw.

Why do you listen to Classical 90.7 KVNO?

Often, I listen to classical music because it’s peaceful and relaxing and helps to put my baby brother to sleep. My family also listens to it in the car, because it’s peaceful and beautiful, and I have a large, noisy family. Sometimes, I write down the names of songs that I hear that I like, so that I can find them again later.

Sponsor Responses

Please explain why music is important to your nominee.

The student’s love for music in general and piano in particular is evident in the way they gravitate to our piano at home. Lately, their piano instructor has been having them play some Bach and Beethoven pieces, and the student is clearly enthusiastic about this new discovery that they can play some pieces written by famous composers. And while they do enjoy the more “serious” practice they do for the pieces they work on in their piano lessons, they also enjoy having a bit more fun, experimenting with different songs and sounds. They try to play songs by ear, or play songs they already know either faster or slower, or an octave higher or lower, just to explore new sounds and styles. This freestyle play is enabled by the competency they have built up over the years, and it is evidence of the joy it brings the student to be able to not just play music written on a page, but to express their own personality and creativity.

Tell us about your nominee’s musical activities.

The student has been taking piano lessons since they were seven years old. With the help of several instructors, including most recently Dr. Marcelo Lian of the Omaha Conservatory of Music (who encouraged this KVNO Classical Kid nomination), they have become increasingly motivated to practice piano, and as a result, has shown tremendous improvement not only in the complexity of pieces they take on, but also in the precision with which they play (tempo, dynamics, etc.).

The student has expressed interest not only in piano, but also in learning guitar. I fully support them learning to play more instruments, and I am certain their solid foundation in piano will serve them well as they explore other instruments in the future.

Briefly describe the special qualities that make your nominee a “Classical Kid.”

The student has a true passion for playing the piano. They have always enjoyed entertaining people with their piano skills. They like to sit down and play at friends’ houses and their grandma’s house, which demonstrates their love for the instrument and the pride they take in being able to share their passion with others, usually by performing whatever is the latest piece they have mastered.

Another important attribute of the student’s study and practice of piano is that they persevere in learning and practicing a piece until they have mastered it. I have never seen them get frustrated and give up on a piece. They practice pieces until they are able to play them easily and with confidence. As the student’s father, and one who has taken piano lessons myself for several years, it brings me great joy and satisfaction to hear the student mastering pieces that they have spent weeks of hard work learning.

Piece: Sonatina by Beethoven

Student #2 Judging Form

Age: 13

Instrument: piano, violin, voice

Nominee Responses

Tell us about your musical activities: what instrument(s) you play, for how long, any ensembles you perform with, etc.

I have been in love with music since age 5. I have played piano for 7 years, studied voice for 3 years, and also started learning violin 1 year ago. I have been a volunteer piano accompanist for Mass choirs and other prayer services in the community for 2 years. I often get to select and prepare the music binders for the choir members with my mom’s help. I perform with the Veritas Homeschool Choir and the Omaha Homeschool Band and Orchestra, where I love collaborating with other students. This summer, I’m hoping to attend piano camp at Camp Gilmore in Michigan. At home, I enjoy helping my two younger sisters practice their violin and piano, and we often play Suzuki songs together as piano and violin duets.

What is your favorite thing about playing your instrument and making music?

When I’m practicing a challenging piece or sharing music at a prayer service, I feel happy knowing I’m spreading beauty and positivity through my efforts. I think that the harder I work, and more I learn about music, the more people I can reach and the more goodness I can spread in the world.

Tell us about your most memorable musical experience.

I watched my sister at Suzuki camp several years in a row. I loved the community excitement and enthusiasm. After an awesome orchestra performance at the end of one of the camps, I decided I wanted to start violin in addition to piano and studying voice.

Tell us about your other non-musical activities, including athletics, hobbies, etc.

I play volleyball on a local grade school team. I also love animals so I raise chickens in our backyard, ride horses whenever I can, and spend time every day training my dog, Chess, in obedience and agility. When I’m not busy, I am hiding somewhere reading a good book or writing letters to my pen pals.

Why do you listen to Classical 90.7 KVNO?

I am glad to have a place where I can listen to different kinds of classical music and get to know lots of kinds of composers. I don’t get much screen time or have a phone, so KVNO helps me understand and experience different artists and types of classical music.

Sponsor Responses

Please explain why music is important to your nominee.

The student has loved music their whole life. When they started playing piano at age 5, they would just light up. We weren’t planning on starting lessons so young, but they were trying to teach themselves by ear and they were so persistent! So, we went ahead and searched for a teacher. The student has voluntarily practiced hours every day for years, and it is both a means of expression and way to bring calm and joy into their life. Some people go running or play video games or bake cookies to relieve stress and process their emotions, but for the student, it’s making music that helps them feel right with the world.

Tell us about your nominee’s musical activities.

The student takes piano lessons and studies music theory with a local teacher. Their teacher has helped them find opportunities to play at prayer services in local retirement homes, which has been a beautiful experience for the student and our family. The student took over accompanying our homeschool group’s choir for monthly Masses last year, after 2 years of helping. They are a very responsive accompanist, and the choir enjoys working with them. They have sung in 3 different choirs over the last few school years, and most recently they joined their younger sibling in the Omaha Homeschool Band and Orchestra to learn a second instrument (violin).

Briefly describe the special qualities that make your nominee a “Classical Kid.”

The student spreads so much joy and enthusiasm for classical music everywhere they go! They work hard and are self-motivated, and they give back to their community. As a parent, you can give your child opportunities and have requirements for music practice, but when that child makes music because it’s part of their soul, you know they’re going to go far!

Piece: Clementi Sonatina No 6 in D Major

Student #3 Judging Form

Age: 12

Instrument: Voice

Nominee Responses

Tell us about your musical activities: what instrument(s) you play, for how long, any ensembles you perform with, etc.

In pre-school at Kellom, I took violin lessons through the String Sprouts program and I loved it. At Harrison Elementary, I took violin again in 4th, 5th and 6th grades. Also in grade school, I was selected for OPS Mini Singers and loved learning and performing new songs, and meeting other singers from other schools. I got a singing role in our school production of Willy Wonka the musical. I’ve attended many musical theater summer camps at Omaha Community Playhouse. I’ve studied violin, ballet, and piano, and for one year have taken voice lessons. One month ago, I had my first vocal recital, singing two solo songs. It was really fun to perform, and hear the other singers. Right now, I am in choir at Lewis and Clark, and applied for the Honors Choir, and will keep taking weekly voice lessons.

What is your favorite thing about playing your instrument and making music?

My favorite thing about singing is that I’m telling a story. When I learn the melody and words well, I feel like I’m in that scene of the song, and I’m transported into another character. And, it just feels amazing to sing. I express feelings that can’t be shared any other way. What I love about taking singing lessons is that I learn about vocal technique that isn’t taught in a school choir — like increasing my range, approaching notes just right, and pronouncing words clearly.

Tell us about your most memorable musical experience.

I have so many that I can’t count them all. I’ve been to many musicals and the symphony, and ballets. — For example, Winston Schneider’s Bug Symphony at the Holland, Alice in Wonderland Ballet at the Orpheum, the Nutcracker Ballet at Creighton University, and many great musicals at the Playhouse, like Titanic the Musical.– For me, it doesn’t seem like I’m just sitting watching, but it feels like I’m actually part of it. These performances have inspired me to want to audition and continue taking piano and voice lessons and sing in choirs.

If I had to pick one memorable musical experience, it was performing 2 solo songs at my first recital in August, in front of about 100 people. I was nervous beforehand, but when I heard the piano play the introduction and started to sing, the music and the story kicked in, and my nerves went away.

Tell us about your other non-musical activities, including athletics, hobbies, etc.

Some of my favorite non-musical activities are drawing, reading and dancing. I like to draw because it calms my mind. When I draw I like to create stories and put my emotions into the drawing. I like reading because, like a musical, you follow the stories along and the characters come alive. My favorite books are adventure and fantasy novels. Even though I stopped taking dance classes, I love to create dances at home. Dancing lets me express myself as I dress-up and dance to music.

Why do you listen to Classical 90.7 KVNO?

Since I was little, we’ve listened to KVNO classical music. Whenever we drove to school, it would be on, and still is. My brothers and I like it when we recognize the piece and can name the title. Even when I’m on my own, I play the radio and tune in to KVNO. For a long time, when I am doing homework and have a hard time focusing, playing KVNO music helps me stay on task.

Sponsor Responses

Please explain why music is important to your nominee.

The student has always been drawn to music, listening to both orchestral and vocal music, and singing. Music is not only important to them, it seems to be their favorite way of self-expression and connecting with the world around them. They seem to lose themselves in the great classics played by others, and can sit through an entire Omaha Symphony concert and enjoy it immensely. The same with musical theater and ballet productions. For background music, their radio station of choice is KVNO.

It is evident the student is easily immersed in music, and they express great joy when they sing. This joy is coupled with the discipline of practicing and good preparation.. They are a diligent student.

Tell us about your nominee’s musical activities.

The stduent has been, or is, involved in voice, violin, piano, dance, and choirs.
 They love attending musical performances from classical music, to ballet, to musical theater.
They equally love performing, and have been in OPS Mini Singers and musicals, and is a member of Lewis and Clark’s choir, and have auditioned for their Honors Choir. They receive classical voice training through weekly lessons.

Briefly describe the special qualities that make your nominee a “Classical Kid.”

The student’s innate joy for music is contagious. And they have a strong willingness to pursue the discipline of good musicianship. The student is a polite, thoughtful, and sociable person with good presentation skills, who could be an enthusiastic spokesperson for the arts. And they truly love KVNO!

Piece: “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music

Student #4 Judging Form