CMC students pass exams with flying colors

Did you know that some CMC teachers support students with exam preparation?

CMC students can challenge themselves and measure their progress by preparing for exams such as the American String Teacher’s Association Certificate Advancement Program, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music exams, the Royal Conservatory of Music exams, the Music Teachers’ Association of California’s Certificate of Merit program, and others.

Congratulations to the thirty CMC students below on their achievement this school year!

American String Teacher’s Association Certificate Advancement Program
Alycia Tam, violin student of Monika Gruber-Gibbons

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music exams
Chloe Chan, flute student of Annelise Zamula, passed level 3 with distinction
Holly Lee, piano student of Paul Dab, passed level 4
Sunnie Lee, piano student of Paul Dab, passed level 5
Darren Leung, piano student of Christian Bonvin, passed level 2 with merit
Alycia Tam, violin student of Monika Gruber-Gibbons
Kelsey Wong, piano student of Christian Bonvin, passed level 1 with merit

Royal Conservatory of Music exams
Loren Gigi, piano student of Tatyana Mikhaylenko, passed level 6 with honors
Priscilla Guan, piano student of Tatyana Mikhaylenko, passed level 8
Thomas Ian, piano student of Tatyana Mikhaylenko, passed level 9
Tiffany Ian, piano student of Tatyana Mikhaylenko, passed level 7 with honors
Winston Lee, piano student of Tatyana Mikhaylenko, passed level 4 with honors
Jaden Liu, piano student of Tatyana Mikhaylenko, passed level 1
Richa Nath, piano student of Paula Dreyer, received First Class Honors in level 3 and earned the Certificate of Excellence for scoring the highest in San Francisco for her level

Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC) Certificate of Merit evaluations
Catherine Chen, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 2
Jonathan Chen, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 5
Emily Chen, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 7
Louise Chen, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 3 with honors
Jenna Chui, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 5
Nicole Chui, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 7 (High School Award)
Angelina Costa, piano student of Elyse Weakley, completed level 3
Luciano Costa, piano student of Elyse Weakley, completed level 1
Evelyn Guo, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 6
Brenton Lai, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 8 with honors
Victor Louie, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 3
Sammy McClanahan, piano student of Juliet McComas, received the top score of a 5+
Alex Piskov, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 6
Rebecca Portnoy, piano student of Juliet McComas, received the top score of a 5+
Brydon Zheng, piano student of Lilia Zheltova, completed level 3

Why participate in music examinations? Our faculty weigh in:

“My most motivated students choose to participate in the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Music Development Program (MDP). It is a rigorous program requiring repertoire from all four musical eras, etudes, and loads of scales, chords, arpeggios, sight reading, and ear training. Last year my student Richa Nath got the highest score in San Francisco for her Level 3 exam. I was very proud of her accomplishments! I enjoy the well rounded musical foundation that the program lays for dedicated students. In order to ensure the student is not only focusing on the exam all year, we also incorporate a fun “30 Piece Challenge.” My closest student is two pieces away from the goal! My students who participate in the MDP reach quite a high level of playing ability. I am proud of all of my students who prepare well enough to participate, as it is no small feat!”
– Paula Dreyer

“I resisted putting students in for Certificate of Merit (CM) for the longest time. It seemed like there were so many rules that I found it offputting. But when I attended the MTAC student recitals, I noticed that the ones who participated in CM were always more solid and confident in performance. So I took the plunge and the first thing I noticed when I offered this to CMC students is they were much more likely to commit from quarter to quarter, including summer. So I have very few students who drop and it’s been like that ever since. I don’t make any of my students do it but simply offer it as an opportunity. I think they like to do it because it’s like passing a grade in school and going up to the next level. I think it definitely gives them a marker of their progress and they sure like getting those high marks and that certificate!”
– Juliet McComas

Interested in exam prep?

If you are interested in exam prep at CMC, contact a registrar who can make faculty recommendations depending on your instrument and goals.

Congratulations once again to our students and their teachers – you make us proud!