Competition Winners: Spring-Summer 2025

I’m thrilled to have received the official announcement about the winners for the spring and summer competitions. Karis Liao and Olivia Acevedo from our studio, have won for their outstanding performances at the PMTA Trophy Competition and TMTA Performance Contest (please see the attached image for rankings). I’m extremely proud of what they have both accomplished.

Competitions challenge students to perform their best in a high-pressure setting, helping them grow in confidence, focus, and resilience. However, I always remind my students that their true competition is not with others, but with themselves. While we cannot control the ability or preparation of other participants, we can control our own effort, discipline, and mindset. Each time they strive to surpass their previous best, they are already succeeding and will have improved regardless of the outcome.

Another positive aspect of competitions is that they train students to do their best in a stressful environment, and the personal growth gained through these experiences will serve them well throughout their lives, scholastically or professionally. Pushing their playing to a higher level with a little bit of stress certainly has real-life applications.

Ultimately, every step we take brings us closer to a higher level of piano performance and step by step that’s how the magic happens.

Karis and Olivia’s achievements are a wonderful celebration of what we can accomplish when we willingly take on challenges step by step and then the magic grows.