Feb-March 2022: It’s a while since I posted any updates so here’s a brief summary of student achievements over the past few months. Covid disrupted lessons twice in 2021, with the long Delta outbreak affecting our preparation for Trinity College practical exams in Term 4. In-person exams were eventually cancelled; students then had the option to convert to an online digital assessment and most took up this offer. The results are now in and nearly all who sat gained a Distinction pass; most of these were High Distinctions (over 95); two students, Rui-Han (Grade 6) and Rosie (Grade 4) gained no less than 100% – a stunning achievement. Congratulations to Rosie and Rui-Han but also to Percy (Grade 6), Rachel (Grade 5), Rui-Yi (Grade 6), Luke (Grade 5) and Gloria (Grade 6) and to Elle for her Merit in Grade 2. I am very proud of you all, especially given the trying circumstances we were all labouring under.
Covid also forced the cancellation of our 2021 Sherwood Piano Studio End-of-Year Concert. Instead, students submitted a video performance of their piece and I collated them all and uploaded them to my Google Drive, and shared the link with my families. On this occasion I usually present a number of awards recognising consistent application, effort and achievement over the year. In 2021 I recognised four students: Audrey L, Margarita, Jane and Jamie. All four of these students have made extremely satisfying progress this year, and have remained fully engaged with their learning despite the limitations of online lessons (and in Margarita’s case, a scooter accident that resulted in a fracture in her left arm!) Congratulations to each of these girls.
August 2020: Sherwood Piano Studio was well represented in the recent Hibiscus Coast Music Teachers Festival. Usually held every August at the Orewa College Arts & Events Centre, the Auckland Covid-19 lockdown forced it to become an online event this year. As a result, students were invited to submit video performances of their pieces for assessment by our adjudicator, Susan Smith. A seasoned ABRSM examiner and richly experienced teacher and adjudicator, Susan watched all the performances and selected the winning performances. Sherwood Piano students did themselves proud, with several first, second and third places and a swag of very highly commendeds and highly commendeds. All of these performances are now available to view on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU4UKo1PgfyGUlP5cVCUHjnqcDOQnHZV1
March 2020: Sherwood Piano Studio is now located on Hobson Heights Rd, Lucas Heights, Albany. I am delighted that almost all of my Bays students have moved with me… just sad to farewell Lucy, Cher and Annie whose schedules clashed with mine. I wish these lovely students all the best for their future piano studies with their new teachers.
September-December 2019: Congratulations to the seven Sherwood Piano Studio students who did so well in their recent ABRSM practical exams. Noah gained a Distinction for his Grade 8! Luke, Rui-Han and Rui-Yi also achieved Distinction grades and Amber, Ashley, Rachel and Tian passed their exams with Merit.
December 2018: Sherwood Piano Studio congratulates Noah and Sara on their excellent ABRSM exam results. Noah gained a high Merit for his Grade 7 and Sara was awarded a fabulous Distinction for her Grade 8.
September 2018: Luke was awarded an excellent Distinction mark for his recent Grade 2 exam.
July 2018: A group of primary and intermediate students participated in the annual Lewis Eady Junior Music Contest. Cher, Tian and Ashley were awarded Bronze Awards. Silver Awards went to Amber and Paris; and Lily, Felix, Percy and Rachel achieved Gold Awards. Congratulations to all of these students.
April 2018: Four students participated in the North Shore Competitions held at Birkenhead College in the first week of the April school holidays. Rui-Han and Rui-Yi were placed first in the duet class; Percy gained a Highly Commended for his performance of a movement from a Clementi Sonatina; Giona came second in the 14-15 year-old Classical class playing the first movement of Beethoven’s C Minor Sonata, Op. 10 No. 1; he was Very Highly Commended for his performance of a Chopin Nocturne. Congratulations to all of these students!
November-December 2017: Five students sat ABRSM Practical exams and all five gained Distinction passes. Congratulations to Percy, Rui-Han, Rui-Yi, Noah and Giona. Giona gained a High Distinction mark for his Grade 8 and was invited to play in the Auckland ABRSM High Achievers’ Concert.
19th August, 2017: Fifteen students enrolled at Sherwood Piano Studio participated in the Hibiscus Coast Music Teachers’ Annual Music Festival. This year’s Adjudicator was Teresa de Vries. In Class 1 (Under 8 years) SPS students placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and VHC! Well done to Percy (1st), Aston (2nd), Felix (3rd) and Paris (VHC). Rui-Han came 2nd in Class 2 (8 & under 10) and Rui-Yi came 3rd in Class 3 (10 and under 12). Giona and Noah were placed first and second respectively in Class 5 (14 and under 16) and Sara was VHC in Class 6. Giona was also commended in the Scholarship Class (which he’d won in 2016). Well done to all who participated – even those who didn’t win awards this year rose to the occasion, turning in performances to be proud of. Keep working hard and it might be your turn to be in the Awards next August!
6th August, 2017: Giona competed in the Junior section of the Rangitito College Annual Piano Competition and although he wasn’t placed, his sparkling performance of Debussy’s Gradus ad Parnassum was a real credit to his hard work and talent.
9th July, 2017: Six young primary-aged students performed in this year’s Lewis Eady Junior Piano Contest. Four received Gold Awards; another two students received Silver Awards. It was so exciting to see these young students, the majority of whom are aged just 6 or 7 years old, performing on a beautiful Steinway piano to a packed show-room! Well done all of you – Percy, Felix, Lily, Paris, Amber and Rachel.
June 2017: Two students gained Distinction passes in their recent ABRSM Grade 6 (Emily) and Grade 7 (Sara) exams. Dianne is very proud of these two girls for these wonderful and well-deserved results.
June 10th, 2017: Six students performed in the North Shore Teachers Non-Competitive Festival held at St Aidan’s Church, Onewa Rd.