2024.02.02 - Advanced composition student Kyle Yeung is among four young musicians inducted to Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC)'s Young Composers Guild. Accepting his 5-year tenure in the guild allows Kyle to contiinue making compositions in a semi-professional setting and to prepare himself to become a composer. His teacher and mentor Mr. Carlton will continue to work with Kyle to help him learn and produce more exceptional music.

2023.06.04 - Welcome all students on the big stage at Cal State Fullerton! Our 27th Annual Student Concert resumed in full force on June 3rd of 4th. Almost 200 students shared the stage in 7 shows on these 2 days. Student's music filled the venue again with anticipation and excitement.

Featuring students from both Fountain Valley and Fullerton Branches, the concert brought joy and happiness to everyone in the audience. Their applauds and cheers encouraged the young performers to step foot on stage and share music they played. No matter the performance was piano tinkling, vocal singing, drums playing or guitar strumming, the experience for students to perform in a formal event is always invaluable and treasured.

2023.04.25 - Yamaha Music Education Division has announced this year's outstanding student composers and performers. Among the fellow contestants is Joshua Villanueva, a student of Ms. Ikuko, receives his "Young Performer Award" in his first attempt in an open music competition. His performance of "Prelude in C-sharp minor" by Sergei Rachmaninoff wins "Honorable Mention" and is commented "excellent job on a mature and difficult piece" by one of the judges.

Our veteran student composer Kyle Yueng and his composition "Spiders Den" for violin, marimba and piano also receives top honor and is selected to perform live at the annual Yamaha National Highlight Concert on June 4th, 2023. This year's concert will be presented in front of audience as well as premiered and streamed on Vimeo. Stay tuned for information about the release date of the concert and watch online these amazing young musicians perform.

2023.03.31 - The annual Composers Today's State Contest from Music Teachers' Association of California awarded Kyle Yeung's newest chamber composition "Spiders' Den" second place in Division 5 for students aged between 14 and 15. Winning students will be performing their compositions at the MTAC State Convention in July in Santa Clara.

2023.01.15 - We are pleased to announce that Excel Academy, Cabillo Points Academy and Sage Oak Charter Schools choose Yamaha Music Academy to be their official partners offering our music classes to their students. If you are a charter school students and interested in enrolling with our school, please contact us to arrange music classes for your children immediately. We have schedules that can accommodate charter school students to have lessons in the mornings or early afternoons. Call us at (714)985-9490 for Fullerton and (714)596-4788 for Fountain Valley to book your appointments.

2023.01.14 - Kyle Yeung's composition "Colors of the Forest" brought another accolade from Music Teachers National Association's 2022-23 Composition Competition. Honored as the National Winner of the Junior Division, Kyle rose to the top among seven composers from different states in the country.

With Massachusetts' Sabrina Sandrasagra receiving the 1st runner-up and Texas' Grant Qu the 2nd, Kyle took home another win for his home state California. He will be performing his winning composition in the upcoming annual MTNA National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2022.12.8 - "Colors of the Forest", the newest composition by Kyle Yeung, makes to the top in the 2022 Yamaha International Highlight Concert. The annual event brings together the most outstanding students under the age of 15 in the Yamaha Music Education System around the world for the first time on social media to be shared by million viewers.

Kyle's composition was also used as one of the focus piece in Yamaha's Junior Original Concert Masterclass. Highly praised by chief clinician Mr. Masaaki Umetani, "Colors of the Forest" captured the magical yet mystical depiction of a forest and expressed through the piano with Kyle's vivid imaginations painting the music in vibrant colors and textures.

The highest honor and acheivement among Yamaha students are now bestowed on Kyle representing the United States in this international concert. Watch the full event here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3hzMnHJtYg or click on the link below.

2022.06.25-26 - After a year-long hiatus due to COVID pandemic, our Annual Students Concert were back on center stage. We were happy to host this year's concerts at the Titan Student Union in Cal State Fullerton. Two days of music-filled recitals packed with excited and enthusiatic audience made this long anticipated event such spectacle.

The amazement always came when we realized how much hard work all students had practiced and prepared for their moments to shine under the spotlight. We were delighted to see our students be so proud of themselves when they received thunderous applaud from the spectators.

2022.04.26 - This year's Yamaha National Highlight Concert are held virtually online. Students receiving "Superior" and "Outstanding" citations will be featured in the Performance Highlights to be streamed online. Best student composers and performers from Yamaha Music Schools in the United States have their opportunities to showcase and share their music with audience around the world.

Two students from our school, Kyle Yeung and Kaya Baird, are selected to participate in this event. Kyle continues his winning streak with his dramatic solo piano composition "Colors of the Forest"; while Kaya debuts her playful new piece "A Day in the Life of my Dogs" for alto flute and piano.

2022.12.31 - Music Teachers' Association of California had announced the latest winners of 2022 Composers Today Contest. Student composer, 14-year-old Kyle Yeung, were amongst the winners' circle. Kyle's composition for piano solo "Colors of the Forest" won second place in Division 4. Under Mr. Carlton's guidance, this is Kyle's 3rd consective wins in the competition. He will appear in the Annual MTAC Convention to perform his winning compositions in July 2022.

2021.11.06 - North Orange County WInterfest Recital took place at Grace Presbyterian Church in Yorba Linda on January 23, 2021. Two of our Fountain Valley branch's students made their appearances and competed in the festival. Theodore Do (age 7) won first place with his performance of Gillock's Minuet and Penelope Lim (age 10) received second place.

Their teacher Miss Bobbi reported that "they had such a good time and...students could show their hard work...the best part was Theodore looking very professional, bowed at the judges, waited between pieces as judges were writing, and played his second piece. He forgot to bow [at the end of his performance] - jumped off the bench and said 'The End' with his big grin and ran down the steps. All chuckled."

2021.11.05 Virtual events have been the norm during the last year, and the MTAC Convention was no exception. For MTAC's second Virtual Convention, the Convention committee worked hard to bring about a more innovative and immersive experience.
This year's Virtual Convention featured:
▪ 5 Featured Artist recitals
▪ 6 Master Classes
▪ Installation of the 2021-2023 MTAC State Board of Directors
▪ 90 student recitals
▪ 25 sessions and presentations
▪ 1,844 Convention attendees

Featured artists Brillante, the mother-daughter piano duo of Lenora Brown and Heather Smits, gave a beautiful virtual recital at the end of the Convention. Thanks to the virtual nature of the recital, the duo was able to add a unique element of costume and location changes. Both the Jacob Szekely Trio and the Josh Nelson Trio created an intimate performance experience by bringing the audience into their studios.

This year's sessions and presentations covered a range of topics, from diversifying repertoire and practice techniques to tips on working with younger students. Even though the sessions were hosted through Zoom, many of the presenters invited the attendees to actively participate with sing alongs and dance steps, and to engage through the Chat features.

MTAC partnered with the platform Whova to provide a one-stop virtual experience. Through Whova, Convention attendees were able to view recitals, participate in sessions, and engage in the Community boards with their fellow members and students- all from the comfort of their own home. Convention attendees were also given access to the Convention archive until July 31, allowing them to relive their favorite moments or catch the moments they missed.

The Convention Committee is already planning the 2022 Convention and can't wait to announce more information about it in MTAC News. Stay tuned for news and updates from our Convention Program Co-Chairs.

COMPOSERS TODAY RESULTS

Division 1 Winners
Age 7 and Under
1st: Echan Chang / Maureen Spranza
2nd: Sabrina Nguyen / Debbie Hanson
3rd: Makayla Phan / Noreen Wenjen

Division 2 Winners
Age 9 and Under
1st: Katie Chen / Su-Shing Chiu
3rd: Kate Nguyen / Debbie Hanson

Division 3 Winners
Age 11 and Under
1st: Kaya Baird / Carlton Liu
2nd: Adrian Kalantari / Keiko Katie Ikeda
3rd: Thomas Nguyen / Debbie Hanson
3rd: Naman Siddheshwar / Julian Toha

Division 4 Winners
Age 13 and Under
1st: Malcolm Xiellie / John Syzyg
2nd: Kyle Yeung / Carlton Liu
3rd: Garrett McCormick / Laurie Mei

Division 5 Winners
Age 15 and Under
1st: Matthew Blam / Lanzo Luconi
2nd: Coral Rose Chapman / Alexandra Hawley
3rd: Cole Thomerson / Lea Oliver
3rd: Sree Kandhadai / Mei Yin

Division 6 Winners
Age 17 and Under
1st: Siddharth Pant / Irina Prilipko-Morgan
2nd: Anika Fuloria / Johm Syzygy
3rd: Davis Robinson / Laura Harrington

Division 7 Winners
Grade 12 and Under; Age 19 and Under
1st: Khoa Sands / Dean Curtis
2nd: Nolan Chen / Su-Shing Chiu
3rd: Joshua Liao / Elena Bai Pang

Division 10 Winners
Teacher: Teaching Piece
1st: Brenda Martin
2nd: Keiko Winther-Tamaki
3rd: Matthew Kho

Division 11 Winners
Teacher: Advanced Composition
1st: Pin Hsin Crystal Lin
2nd: Karen Reinhard
3rd: Debbie Hanson

2021.07.04 Fullerton and Fountain Valley’s Yamaha Music Academy has been honored with the SupportMusic Merit Award from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. The SupportMusic Merit Award recognizes individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

“Music education is an integral part of a child’s development providing them with discipline while engaging in musical activities.” said Carlton Liu, Music Director. “To have received this honor from NAMM Foundation further confirms our mission to continue serving our communities and allow students to enjoy the fun of playing music.”

To qualify for the SupportMusic Merit Award, Yamaha Music Academy answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

Since the passage by Congress in 2015 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and a stated emphasis on a well-rounded education, many school districts have re-committed to music and arts education programs and found that in this time of a national pandemic, provides a valuable way to keep students engaged in school. ESSA provides designated funding for well-rounded educational opportunities through Title IV Part A Student Academic Success and Achievement grants. NAMM Foundation research has revealed that these grants are being widely used by school districts to address instructional gaps in access to music and arts education.

“How sad it is without music in this world! Music speaks in a way to connect people; tells stories about a culture; brings joy to everyone’s life.”

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music: After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound: young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism. Yamaha Music Academy, Fullerton and Fountain Valley, are authorized Yamaha® Music Schools established and operated in Orange County since 1996. Our academies provide comprehensive musical training to students from Age 4 to adult of all ages. As a music education institution for over two decades, Yamaha Music Academy has earned a pristine reputation as the best music schools in Orange County and neighboring areas. Our academies offer group and one-on-one private instruction for students in piano, keyboard, violin, flute, guitar, viola, voice, ukulele, clarinet, cello, saxophone, drum lessons couple with music theory, and the internationally acclaimed Yamaha® Music Education System. Our professional facilities allow students to learn music in a positive learning environment with experienced faculty guiding the students to reach their maximum musical potential.

About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

2021.04.02 - The pandemic did not deter our students' dedications to their study in music. With remote sessions, they continue to learn tirelessly and take part in many MTAC's activities. The annual Composers Today contest is a great outlet allowing our composition students to receive valuable evaluation from outside judges and even to be awarded for their creative works. Without exception, students of Mr. Carlton Liu are recognized again for their outstanding achievements.

Kaya Baird, age 10, won first place in Division 3 (age 11 and under) with her composition "Prelude and Dance to the Glorious Sunrise" for flute, viola and piano; when Kyle Yeung, age 12, received second place in Division 4 (age 13 and under). Composers Today State Contest received entries from students through MTAC's different branches in California. All compositions were individually adjudicated according to divisions categoried by age. Winners will also have an opportunity to showcase and perform the winning piece in MTAC's State Convention every year in the summer.

2021.01.15 - ABRSM (Associated Board Royal Schools of Music) sets the international standard of music examination. Established in the UK over a century ago, ABRSM was "inspired by disinterested motives for the benefit of musical education... which would genuinely provide a stimulus and an objective for a high standard of achievement". Under the authority of the Board, these exams are impatially evaluated under strict guidelines and the results are officially recognized by accredited institutions.

Despite of the pandemic that disrupts all face-to-face adjudications, ABRSM continues to offer online testing to ensure students are carrying on their music studies without lapses. Our student, Kristen Leopoldo took advantage of the online test and earned herself the Grade 5 diploma with honor in singing under the guidance of Miss Ikuko, who is the LRSM (Licenciate Royal Schools of Music) title holder of ABRSM. Nothing can stop our students to acheive their goals and we are always here to tiredlessly mentor every student one by one until they reach their potential.

2020.12.20 - Amidst this uncertain time during the pandemic, music continues to inspire our students everyday while being locked down at home day after day. Vivian Tien, a dedicated student of Miss Tig, brings home the silver medal in the MTAC Orange County Branch Theme Festival. Despite this year's audience is absent for the performance, participants still needs to present their best in front of a camera to be adjudicated by a panel of judges. A Grade 8 ABRSM diploma holder, Vivian played the first movement of Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata in Division 10 of the annual festival which current theme is Classic era.

2020.08.09 - NAMM has announced the 2020 receipients of the Support Music Merit Award (SMMA). We are honored that both branches of our school are among the 148 music schools from around the USA selected and acknowledged for our commitment to music education. This award recognizes that Yamaha Music Academy is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides policy implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing-while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.

2020.02.03 - Our Fountain Valley branch piano student Victoria Le (age 13), far right in photo, received her advanced level recognition in the MTAC North Orange Branch Winterfest performance competition with her highly polished performance. The competition took place at Yorba Linda Presbyterian Church in Yorba Lina, CA on Saturday, January 18, 2020. Victoria competed in her age category and performed 'Allegro Burlesco Op. 88 No. 3' by Frederich Kuhlau and 'L’Orage' by F. Burgmuller in contrasting style and different eras. Victoria is preparing for Certificate of Merit Level 6 this Spring in her continuous piano endearment.

2019.10.13 - Four students of Miss Simona performed at the MTAC Convention's Theme Recital featuring music of Gillock, Holmes and Alexander. Ava Paez, Thomas Hsu, Gerald Hsu and Kristen Ngo, all students at our Fountain Valley branch, gave their solo performances in this annual event to attendees and fellow students. At the local scale, MTAC Orange Branch awarded Maxwell Kussmann, a student of Mr. Hoang of Fountain Valley branch, first runner-up for his splendid performance of Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor.

2019.03.02 - MTAC Orange County West branch is proud to announce that this year's Certificate of Merit Strings Playing evaluations and Theory will be held at our Fountain Valley school branch on March 3, 2019.

2018.12.09 - Fountain Valley Branch student Daniel Nguyen was the winner of MTAC Orange Branch's Theme Festival. Daniel's performance of "Techno" from Avner Dorman's Sonata No. 3 earned him the title in his division for pianists aged 15 and under. He would be performing at the winners' concert on December 9, 2018 at Chapman University. Theme Festival is an annual event from MTAC in which contestants will compete for cash prize by performing music designated by the organization. The theme for this year is Contemporary Era.

2018.05.07 - Alexander Behura won the highest award (Award of Excellence) in the US at the national level of competition in the High School Division with his composition, Une Vie a Paris - A Life in Paris. Also a winner of California Teachers Association’s Ralph J. Flynn academic scholarship as the highest scoring candidate in all of California, Alexander currently studies with our advanced teacher Miss Tig Arakelyan. Since his becoming a student of Yamaha Music Academy, Alexander advances and excels under the careful guidance of Miss Tig and has completed last year Associated Board Royal Schools of Music Grade 8 Piano Exam with Distinction, the highest honor of the test.

2017.08.20 - "Alexander Behura...a 16-year-old Yorba Linda resident wrote a letter that inspired the Sheraton Park Hotel in Anaheim to create a program to support families traveling with children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder." Our student Alexander Behura is covered in a featured Orange County Register article for his effort to initiate the "Member of Autism Care Services" program.

LAS VEGAS (PRWEB) JUNE 23, 2017 More than 20 representatives from 18 Yamaha Music Schools across the country recently attended the Yamaha Music School Advantage program designed to assist educators in tuning up their performance.

Held in Las Vegas on June 15, the free workshop was sponsored by Yamaha as part of the company’s Dealer Development Services, which is celebrating its 20-year milestone this year. It was led by Alan Friedman, CPA and partner with Friedman, Kannenberg & Company, P.C., and Tom Hemphill, marketing manager, Yamaha Music Education, who used case studies and role playing to give music school teachers hands-on experience navigating challenges facing their schools today.

Music School Advantage assists these institutions in recognizing and responding to a changing marketplace. The workshop serves as an essential tool for Yamaha Music Schools to develop relationships and trust with their local communities on a personal level. In addition, the program helps develop and sharpen skills in finances, sales, marketing, operation and employee training.

“Yamaha Music School Advantage was met with an overwhelmingly positive reaction, along with a significant increase in attendance this year,” said Garth Gilman, corporate vice president, Yamaha Corporation of America. “Aside from the industry-leading Yamaha Music School model, one of the ways Yamaha brings value to our business partners is through this program. Providing expert advice from nationally respected business advisors that can be immediately utilized by owners and key staff to drive operational excellence is a key draw.” All who attended praised the program. “Music School Advantage was not only insightful, but also practical,” said Julia Liu of Yamaha Music Academy of Fountain Valley, California. “Everything was easy to apply and understand for music schools and owners, and I appreciated the topics, speakers and arrangements.”

“It was great to talk money. If finances are not in order, everything else is in trouble,” said Heidi Grimes at East Valley Yamaha Music School in Chandler, Arizona. “This experience was very enjoyable, and necessary for continuing excellence.”

Eileen Tan of 7 Notes in Frisco, Texas, thanked the seminar’s organizers and instructors: “Thank you for doing this. This is great for school owners, and it should be held yearly!” According to Steve Jensen at Jensen’s Yamaha Music School in Castle Hills, Texas, “The seminar was very clear and helpful with potentially arcane issues.” Carlton Liu of Harmony Music World, Yamaha Music Academy in Fullerton, California, referred to the experience as “very informative, with great presentation.”

Music School Advantage was held in conjunction with the popular Yamaha Financial Advantage seminar, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, having trained more than 600 dealer participants in 19 training sessions. Also featured was Succession Advantage, a program that helps dealers plan sustained continuity through business operation. To expand the exposure of Music School Advantage, music dealers in attendance at the three-day event were provided with an hour-long presentation to emphasize the importance of music education.

2017.05.25 - On May 26, 2017 8:15pm at Marsee Auditorium, Beach Cities Symphony is having its fourth concert of the 67th season featuring young performers in its program. Entitled "Music Teachers Assocition of California Artis of the Future", the free concert begins at 7:30pm with a pre-concert lecture followed by an array of concerti by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Rachmaninoff. Among all the talent musicians, our student soloist Megan Chang will join the stage with Maestro Barry Brisk for an evening of unforgetable classical music. For infomation, please call (310)379-9725 or(310)539-4649.

2017.05.25 - 2017 Composers Today State Contest announces its result for this year's competition. Our students round up top prizes in several categories. Megan Chang won first prize with her big band composition "Bebop 'n' Gumbo" while Alexander Hurvitz' saxophone and piano duo "Super Cup Noodles" received second place in Division 4. Helaine Zhao, a new student of Mr. Carlton for six months, took 3rd prize in Division 3. All students will be recognized in the State Contest Student Winners Recital during the MTAC Convention in July 2017 at Hyatt Regency Hotel Santa Clara.

2017.03.30 - The ASCAP foundation announces the latest recipients of the coveted 2017 Morton Gould Young Composer Award. Among approximately 550 submission from around the world, Alexander Hurvitz, a student of Mr. Carlton, is recognized as one of the nineteen award recipients. As one of the youngest winners, Alexander is also awarded the Charlotte V. Bergen Scholarship for a composer 18 years of age or younger. His winning composition "The Trail of the West" was also featured in the International Junior Original Concert in Japan last August. Kudos to Alexander's achievements!

2016.10.29 - Congratulations to Miss Tig Arakelyan's students on their splendid acheivements in recent events organized by California Association of Professional Music Teachers (ACPMT) and Southern Youth Music Festival (SYMF). Michelle Cornelius and Mabelle Cornelius, both students at our Fullerton branch, received honorable mentions in the Advanced Category of CAPMT District 8 Sonata-Sonatina Festival. When partipating in the SYMC Qualified, Age Category, Mabelle again took 2nd place and Kevin Le from our Fountain Valley branch received 4th.

2016.04.24 - For the second year in a row, Mr. Carlton Liu's composition student is selected as the US representative to perform in the pretigious International Junior Origianl Concert in Tokyo, Japan. Alexander Hurvitz, age 13, will be showcasing his latest composition "The Trail of the West" for violin and piano among young fellow composers from Indonesia, France, Taiwan, China and Japan. The two-day event will be held at the Yamaha Hall in the flagship Yamaha Ginza Building on August 23rd and 24th.

(A featured article of Mr. Carlton Liu's student Sharon Hurvitz as the graduating class of the Colbuen Community School of Performing Arts) 2016.04.21 - The Community School will salute our graduating high school seniors with a special event and reception in their honor on Saturday, May 21, at 4 pm in Thayer Hall. Each high school senior’s name will be read, along with their college plans, and they will come onstage to receive a gift from the school. We are pleased to announce this year's student speaker will be Sharon Hurvitz.

Sharon Hurvitz first began her studies at the Community School in the fall of 2009, when she enrolled in voice lessons with Kay Montgomery and a music theory class with Kathy Sawada. "The Colburn School is like having a second home," Sharon said. "We are really blessed to have been able to study in a pre-college division of a world-renowned conservatory, which is home to some of the greatest teachers you could ever find." In the fall of 2013, Sharon shifted her musical focus more fully on music theory and composition. That year, she began studying with the Community School's Chair of Music Theory Warren Spaeth and was accepted into the Los Angeles Philharmonic's very competitive Composer Fellowship Program. Founded by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steven Stucky, the Composer Fellowship Program is now directed by composer Andrew Norman. Only four students are accepted into the program every two years. Through the Composer Fellowship Program, Sharon has composed two pieces for full orchestra, which premiered in 2014 and 2015 at the LA Philharmonic's Symphonies for Schools concerts; four short chamber works that were performed by members of the orchestra; a string quartet for the Calder Quartet commemorating the upcoming 2018-2019 LA Philharmonic Centennial; and a choral work read by members of the LA Master Chorale; all while studying with former CFP Composer-Director James Matheson, and teaching artists A. J. McCaffrey and Sarah Gibson. Upon graduating from this two year program, Sharon was invited to continue for an unprecedented third year as a Senior Fellow.

In 2014, Sharon began studying with Colburn Conservatory composition faculty Dr. Bruce Miller. And in 2015, Sharon was invited to join the Conservatory’s sophomore theory class taught by Mr. Spaeth. This was the first time in the Colburn School’s history that a Community School student has had the opportunity to participate in a Conservatory class. "Sharon is a gifted, multi-talented, hard-working student who is totally engaged with the topics she studies," Mr. Spaeth said. "She is a naturally gifted musician who hears beyond the written pitches."

This year, Sharon was commissioned to compose Outside the Circle, an orchestral work, which premiered in an LA Philharmonic Community Concert at San Gabriel Mission Playhouse in February, and a quartet for ICE (International Contemporary Ensemble), scheduled to premiere this summer at the Ojai Music Festival. The Olympia Philharmonic Society has also commissioned Sharon to compose an orchestral work that will premiere in June. Most recently, Sharon was honored as an Emerging Composer by the 2016 Tribeca New Music Competition. She also won first prize in the High School Division of the 2015 Robert Avalon International Competition for Composers, is a Music Composition Honorable Mention Winner (2016) and Merit Winner (2015) of two National YoungArts Foundation Competitions, was a 2014 Finalist in the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, and a 2015 Finalist in the National Young Composers Challenge. She also was the first prize winner two years in a row at the Music Teacher’s Association of California Composers Today State Contest and has been granted its highest accolade for high school and college-age composers, a five-year (2015-2020) honorary membership in The Young Composers Guild. Sharon is a senior at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where she is also a College Board AP Scholar with Honor. Sharon will attend Columbia University this fall and major in composition.

"I felt really humbled to be asked to speak at an event that is so personally meaningful, which celebrates a turning point in our lives," Sharon said. "It is an opportunity for me to take stock and to reflect in an active way about the significance of music in my life, about where our generation should take music and dance from here, and how we can contribute to it."

If you are a graduating high school senior, please send your college decision and intended degree program to Diane Cano-Casas at 213-621-1045 or dcasas@colburnschool.edu, as well as your RSVP for the May event. (By Sara Hiner)

2016.04.21 - The 2016 Composers Today State Competition announces the result for this year's contest. Megan Chang and Alexander Hurvitz, both students of Mr. Carlton Liu win first and second place in Division 4 of the contest. Their compositions will be featured in the convention recital to be held in Los Angeles in July. Another congratulations to our talented young composers.

2016.02.22 - The participants of MTAC Theme Festival held at Chapman University on December 5, 2015 exhibited so many types of music in different characters and interpretations. Our student Daniel Nguyen (age 12) was the 2015 solo piano Gold medalist (top 20%) receipent of the festival. Daniel’s solo performance was ‘Paganini Jazz’ by Fazil Say. Composed by this sought after 21st century jazz artist, composer and pianist, the set of variations was written and debuted in 1995. The piece was filled with fantasy as well as advance classical techniques with a contemporary flair. Congratulations to Daniel under the guidance of our teacher, Mr. Hoang Nguyen. Daniel has joined Yamaha Music Academy since the summer of 2015 and is progressing to Certificate of Merit piano level 5 this Spring.

2016.02.10 - MTAC Orange County West branch is proud to announce that this year's Certificate of Merit Strings evaluation will be held at our Fountain Valley school branch on Sunday, February 28, 2016. We continue to providing the best examination experience in a professional environment for students.

2015.11.4 - The 44th International Junior Original Concert will take place on November 14, 2015 at the Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Twelve students from Thailand, Taiwan, Italy, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and USA under the age of fifteen will be highlighted in this pretigious by-invitation event. The International Junior Original Concert (IJOC) committee selects the best compositions from over 3,500 applicants all over the world to feature in this annual concert. Sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the IJOC presents the most outstanding young composers to share their musical creations and talents. Our student Megan Chang is the representative of the US to perform her newest composition "Candy Clouds" with cellist Peter Myers.

2015.11.03 - Sharon Hurvitz, our veteran Junior Original Concert student, received 1st prize in the 2015 Robert Avalon International Competition for Composers. Her composition "Caprice" for Clainet and Piano was chosen as the top winner in the high school division of the competition. Through the competition, Foundation for Modern Music honors its late Artistic Director Robert Avalon, who helped develop and initiate several important new projects for the Foundation, including this competition for young, college and mid-career composers.

2015.06.19 - This year's Yamaha National Junior Original Concert will take place on June 28, 2015 (Sunday) at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center. Thirteen best compositions from Yamaha Music Schools nationwide will be debuted in an afternoon concert filled with creativity and originality. Megan Chang and Alexander Hurvitz representing Yamaha Music Academy are going to impress the audience with their immense musical talent. Tickets to the concert are free. Please call us to reserve some before they are all gone.

2015.04.06 - Orange County Branch Southern California Junior Bach Festival results are out. Ryoko Angela Ejiri is the winner of the Italian Concerto category and Yi-An Hsieh receives Honorable Mention with her performance of Invention and Sinfonia. They will advance to the Regional Festival in the next round to compete with contestants from other areas. Congratulations to their achievements.

2015.03.26 - Alexander Hurvitz, age 12, will be representing the US to perform at the Western Canada Junior Original Concert in Calgary on April 19, 2015. The show will be held at the Arts Common featuring Yamaha music students performing their own compositions. A student of Mr. Carlton Liu, Alexander will debut his latest piano solo composition "The Mountain Kingdom" in this event to share his music across the border with our northern neighbor.

2015.03.18 - The Young Composers Guild honors MTAC’s most gifted young composers and is the highest achievement for a Composers Today composition student. An accepted student is granted membership in the Guild for five years upon recommendation by a panel of composition evaluators. For the years of 2015-2020, Sharon Hurvitz, Valerie Narumi and Maia Thomas are the three inductees to be presented at the annual convention in San Jose. We are so proud of the honor bestowed on these young composers and salute to Mr. Carlton Liu as a nurturing mentor.

2015.03.06 - As avid supporter of Music Teachers' Associtaion of California, we are proud to announce that our Fountain Valley Branch is one of the designated examination venues for this year's Certificate of Merit in Piano and Strings performance evaluations on March 8, 15 and 22, 2015.

2015.02.21 - Southern California Junior Bach Festival is an annual event established by Madame Alice Ehlers of USC to stimulate interest in and appreciation for the music of J.S. Bach. Participants perform and compete in branch and regional level festivals followed by the complete work audition. During the MTAC Orange County West Branch festival, four of our students are recognized and awarded for their performances. Mason Doan (age 9) receives Honorable Mention when Gerald Hsu (age 9), Susan Nguyen (age 14) and Mitchell Doan (age 15) are medalists in their categories.

2014.11.21 - On November 22, 2014 our violin coach and Orange Branch Strings Chairperson, Miss Beata Kardewicz, will be conducting a workshop for violin students at Anaheim Public Library at 3 p.m. Two of our students, Cloe Lam and Miss Angela Chen will be performing their repertoire at the workshop. All beginner and intermediate strings students are welcomed to sit in. No RSVP is required. Come early because seats are limited.

2014.08.05 - We are pleased to announce our first "Make A Tune" activity for all current Yamaha music class students. It is time for students to turn on their imagination light bulbs and try enabling your creativity to compose simple melodies with help from teachers. At the end of September, individual participants will submit an audition recording of an original melody 4-8 bars in length. Best melodies will be recognized and offered the opportunity to continue working with your teacher and a composition specialist to develop and prepare the melody into a unique original piece of music to enter the Yamaha Junior Original Concert selection in February 2015. Ask your teachers or our school administrators for more details. We want to hear your music!

2014.07.29 - The annual Southern Youth Music Festival completed its five days of competitions and performances at Cal State Long Beach the past 2 weekends. Among hundreds of participants, our students recieved top honors in multiple categories. Ryoko Ejiri won first prize in the Piano Qualified Complete Work Category. She also took third place in the Piano Qualified Chopin Prelude Category while finishing up second in the Cello Qualified Category. First time contestant Meghan Wang was rewarded second place in the Piano Qualified Category. Last but not least, the winner of Piano Concerto Category went to Alexander Hurvitz's performance of Kabalevsky's Piano Concerto. We are so proud of our students' achievement.

2014.06.06 - Orange County's Pacific Symphony just completed a series of 6 free interactive concerts for "The Frieda Belindante Class Act Program" catered to thousands of elementary school students at the Renee & Henry Sergerstrom Concert Hall in the mornings of June 4th to 6th, 2014. This year's theme was Gershwin, jazz and improvization and our student Megan Cheng was featured in the programs playing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue under the baton of Maestro Alejandro Gutierrez. When Megan put in the twist during her performance of the famous music, she improvised on the fly just like most jazz musicians did. "Oh my!" a young student uttered in amazement when he heard the theme of "Frozen" as Megan demonstrated her improvisational skills at the piano. What an inspirational event watching all the students' intuitive response to wonderful music! The excitement expressed in their faces was priceless.

2014.05.17 - We are beginning the countdown to our Annual Student Concerts. A series of interactive concerts will take place on May 25, 2014 at Titan Students Union in Cal State Fullerton and June 8, 2014 at Huntington Beach Art Museum for all students in both the Fountain Valley and Fullerton branches. All concerts are free and opened to public. Bring a friend or your whole family to the concerts. You will be amazed at what our students accomplish while looking sharp and poised on stage.

2014.04.30 - MTAC announces this year's results from Composers Today State Contest. Our students snatch the top prizes again: Megan Chang's composition "Flashback in Rio" receives first place in Divison 3 and Sharon Hurvitz's "Shades of Time" wins first in Division 5, while "Sneaky Pranks" by Alexander Hurvitz rounds up the encouraging 3rd place in Division 3. All these students will present their music and be recognized in the State Contest Student Winners Recital during the annual MTAC convention on June 30, 2014.

2014.04 - The annual music examinations offered by Music Teachers' Association of California completed this year's statewide evaluations. With much preparations, forty-something of our students from both Fullerton and Fountain Valley branches demonstrated their skills and knowledge of music in multiple days of written and performance examinations. Their hard work indeed paid off and earned them the level they deserved. Some of them were honored to perform in Branch Recitals and chosen to appear in the convention in late June. Be sure to check out the results posted in our website's "Exam Results Hall Of Fame". Congratulations to all the students who have passed the exams.

2014.02.06 - Los Angeles Philharmonic throws a free concert party for LA Unified School District students. Our student Sharon Hurvitz and three other Composer Fellowship students debut their orchestral compositions along with music by Tchaiskovsky performed by one of the best orchestras in the world. Aiming at bringing classical music to public school students, the concert focuses on the importance of themes in music. Sharon's short composition "Momenteus" fills the renowned Disney Hall with lush horns precipitated by the rapid movements of the woodwinds. Audiences are inspired by the talents of these young composers with much anticipation. Applause to all of them.

2014.01.18 - 2014 North America Music Merchant trade show will take place again at Anaheim Convention Center from January 22 to 26, 2014. Like pop singers Alicia Keys and Elton John previously featured on Yamaha's stage during the event, our students will perform their own compositions on Thursday to entertain the attendees. Valerie Narumi and Megan Chang, both students of Yamaha Music Academy, will join Kylie Smith from East Valley Yamaha Music School in an afternoon concert highlighting some of the latest instruments Yamaha will debut in the show.

2013.09.14 - Nicole Salladin, a student of Miss Teresita, is invited to performed for the third year in Mexico as our young musical ambassador of Yamaha Music Academy bringing her gift in music to share with the world. Nicole will be travelling to the beautiful city of Guadalajara, Mexico for a weekend of recitals performing as a soloist with the local orchestra. The concerts will be held at the University of Guadalajara as well as the prestigious Club Puerta de Hierro.

2013.09.14 - California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) and Music Director Mr. Fung Ho bring to you the "Celebration of Young Talents: Concerto Orchestra 2013" on September 21, 2013 at 7:30pm an exciting program of students performing music by Mozart, Kabalevsky, Saint-Saën, Elgar and Ravel. Among the featured soloists, our students Alexander Hurvitz and Sharon Hurvitz will be playing two piano concerti with the orchestra. Admission to the concert is free but seats are limited at the State Playhouse in Cal State LA. For information, please call us at (714)985-9490 or contact Irene Yim at (626)825-7686.

2013.06.15 - This year's national Junior Original Concerts will take place in Mahwah, New Jersey and Tempe, Arizona on June 15 and 16. Representing our schools are 4 incredible young composers to perform their newest compositions at the Tempe Center for the Art Theatre. Megan Chang, Alexander Hurvitz, Sharon Hurvitz and Valerie Narumi, all students of Mr. Carlton, will debut a variety of music that will blow you away. Stay tuned for more reports from the concert.

2013.05.06 - Our students' compositions are recognized with high honors again this year in Music Teachers Associaiton of California (MTAC)'s annual Composers Today Competition. Winning the first prize in three consecutive years in a row is a record that Alexander Hurvitz bestows while his sister Sharon Hurvitz makes her round winning first place in Division 4. Megan Chang receives 2nd place for her solo piano composition and both Valerie Narumi and Jonathan Po are awarded Honorable Mention. Students will perform their winning compositions at the MTAC Convention in Santa Clara, Califonia on June 30, 2013.

2013.04 - (Fullerton) Young pianist Nicole Salladin will be featured in her solo recital this Saturday (May 4, 2013) at 4pm at our Fullerton branch. Busy traveling to perform in Mexico with local orchestras and receiving top honors from Baja California Cultural Institute, Nicole will play music by Bach, Haydn, Beethoven, Schumann, Ginastera and many more. The concert is free but seats are limited. Come early and share some music with Nicole.

2013.04 - (Fountain Valley) Fountain Valley's Yamaha Student Grade Exam (Grade 10-6) is open for application. Examination date is May 25, 2013 and the deadline to apply for the exam is May 11, 2013. Application form is available from your teacher. Please complete the application form and return to us by the deadline.

2013.03 - (Fullerton) Fullerton Branch is presenting our 2nd Annual Strings Recital on March 24, 2013 at 2pm hosted by Miss Carmen Marquez, our violin instructor. Concert is free to the public but seats are very limited. Come to our Fullerton school to enjoy an afternoon of free music.

2013.02 - (Fountain Valley) MTAC Orange County West branch is proud to announced that this year's Certificate of Merit in Piano and Winds Playing evaluations and Strings Theory and Playing evaluations will be held at our Fountain Valley school branch on March 3, March 10 and March 17, 2013.

2013.02.09 - (Fullerton) New Ode-To-Joy Children Chorus spring session is now open for audition. This season's theme is the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The Sound of Music." In the 18-week course, students will learn some of the most renowned songs and perform in our annual concert. Ode-To-Joy Children Chorus is an exclusive club for students 6 years and older. For our current students, please ask your teacher to nominate you to come to the audition. Contact us if you are new to our school so that we can provide you details to participate in this exciting course. Enrollment prior to the beginning of the session will receive a $90 discount on tuition and the enrollment will be closed after the sixth week into the session. Space is limited. Act now and don't miss the chance to be a part of our children chorus.

2013.01.31 - Standard music lessons meet once a week but more and more students are taking advantage of seeing their teacher twice or even three times a week. Despite that these students are neither preparing for exams nor competitions, their parents recognize the importance of professional guidance especially in learning musical instruments. One of the most common problems with music students is that they are practicing mistakes before the teacher can correct them before a week has passed. In the end, students may spend more time undoing the errors. Having more than one lesson per week allows teachers to catch these mistakes sooner and preventing them from forming into habits. Instead of the frustration of wasting time to relearn, students progress in an exponential pace. Furthermore these extra lessons also act as additional practice sessions but with a knowledgable coach. Students then may practice less at home and the antagonizing daily routine to make your children practice becomes a thing in the past. Gymnastics, ice skating, ballet, karate and many sport activities do meet more than once a week. So why not music classes? Let us know if you are interested in setting up multiple weekly lessons for your children so that you can see them excel. We do offer multiple weekly lessons discount to benefit families.

2013.01.17 - (Fountain Valley) Teacher Miss Xu is representating Fountain Valley branch attending the 8th Annual Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ongoing advancement of teaching skills is very important to our faculty. Music instructions move with the pace of our cultural environment and technological inventions. We are serious to make possible for students to take advantage of new means in learning music in the 21st century.

2013.01 - (Fullerton & Fountain Valley) - Graduating Junior Music Course students who are participating in the Fundamental Skills Survey at the end of Febreary 2013 need to turn in the application form to your teacher as soon as possible. Please ask the front desk if you do not have the proper form. We will announce the day and time by the end of January. Students successfully complete the survey will receive a certificate of achievement and be cited in our student exam Hall of Fame. They will then continue into the Junior Extension Course for their next level of comprehensive music studies.

2013.01 - (Fullerton & Fountain Valley) - HAPPY NEW YEAR! All classes resume today January 3, 2012 at both locations. Don't forget to come to music lessons at your regular class time. Call us during school hours if you are not sure about the schedule so that we can confirm with you. Fullerton: (714)985-9490l Fountain Valley (714)596-4788. All our teachers are excited to see you again after the winter break. We are also welcoming all new students who are starting their music lessons in 2013 to have "Music and Fun at Yamaha Music Academy"

2012.12.17 - (Fullerton) - Fullerton Branch will be closed for the holidays from December 24, 2012 (Monday) to January 3, 2013. All classes will resume on January 4, 2013 (Friday). There will not be any classes during the holidays unless scheduled make-up lessons arranged by the teachers. Please email us at info@yamahamusicacademy.com should you need to contact us for immediate response. See you in 2013. Happy Holidays!!

2012.12.14 - (Fountain Valley) Our Fountain Valley branch welcomes its newly installed school sign just in time for the holidays. Anchoring the Magnolia Square with neighboring 99 Ranch Market, our new location is becoming a favorite spot for students and parents. You will never miss us with the brightly colored and lit sign!

2012.11.27 - (Fullerton & Fountain Valley)Both locations are preparing for the 2012 Holidays Concert Series to be held on Decemeber 2 and 9. Join us for the free concerts and enjoy a lot of holiday music performed by our students. Call for concert time as we have several shows on both days.

2012.11.20 (Fullerton) - Nicole Salladin, a student of Miss Teresita Delgado, was honored first place in the VII Bienal de Piano, Musica Clasica Formal Category I. Presented by the "Institute of Art of Baja California" and "Consego Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes", the prestigious award was a tremendous achievement for an international student to receive. Congratulations to Nicole, our ambassador and our pride!

2012.11.18 (Fullerton) - Our guitar instructor Mr. David Kurtz just released a new guitar songbook "An Acoustic Guitar Christmas" from publisher Hal Leonard. Accompanied by a CD recording, the book is now available through Hal Leonard as well as its authorized dealer. Limited number of autographed copies are exclusively available through our school.

2012.11.10 (Fountain Valley) - Congratulations to student Mitchell Doan for his four consecutive years at the MATC Piano Solo Competition. This year Mitchel has received an Honarory Recognition for his performance of "Decadent Sentimantal" by Miguel Manzano and "October" from The Seasons, Opus 37 by P.I. Tchaikovsky. Mitchell, we are so proud of you !!

2012.11.09 (Fountain Valley) - Congratulations to student, Julianna Remo, who is ecstatic for her first lead role at the performance of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" musical.

Yamaha Music Academy is now live. Subscribe to our news feed.

2012.10.06 - Valerie Narumi receives 1st prize for her performance of Bach's Goldberg Variation in the final round of Southern California Junior Bach Festival Complete Work Audition. Congratulations!

2012.10.01 - Construction finally completed at our Fountain Valley permanent location. Come visit us at 18059 Magnolia Street, Fountain Valley CA 92708.

2012.08.05 (Irvine Barclay Theatre) - The 2012 US National JOC concluded in a great success. Yamaha Music School Students from Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico & the United States Perform Their Own Compositions. Congratulations to all students great work. Look for our proud students Alexander Hurvitz, Valerie Narumi, Megan Chang, Sharon Hurvitz and David Thornley in the complete program.

2012.07.04 - The three winners of the MTAC Composers Today State Contest are featured in winner's recital at the annual convention in San Diego, California.

2012.07 - Yamaha Music Academy is the sponsor of Symphony on Birch Street, an annual event hosted by the city of Brea, to offer music activities and nightly public concert to attendees. Come see our booth, of course, on Birch Street.

2012.06.06 - Graduating Junior Original Concert student Jacyln Chu is awarded first prize for her composition "Mythical Labyrinth" for clarinet and piano in the 2012 Pikes Peak Young Composers Competition: Division 2-Chamber. Good work, Jaclyn!

2012.05 - Chaperoned by our advance instructor Miss Teresita Delgado, our young pianist Nicole Salladin is invited to perform in Enselnada, Mexico on May 11, 2012 at the Orquesta Jevenil del costro de Estudios Musicales.

Join us at our Fullerton branch this Saturday, May 5th, at 4:00pm for a solo piano recital with student pianist Cathryn Salladin. Admission is free but seats are limited.

2012.05 - Students from southern California Yamaha Music Schools receive 20 of the 50 awards in 8 divisions. Among all the winners, Alexander Hurvitz is the first prize recipient of Division 2, Valerie Narumi and Melody Jan are recognized with Honorable Mention in Division 4 and 5 respectively. All winners are invited to perform in the State Convention in San Diego this coming July. Congratulations!

Our Annual Students Concerts will take place on May 27, 2012 (Sunday) at the Titan Student Union Pavillion Hall, Cal State Fullerton. Admission is free. Join us to share the music with our students.

2012.04.14 - New technology makes this remote master class happens. Our three students Alexander Hurvitz, Sharon Hurvitz and Magen Chen share the channel with Jennifer Murphy live in Boston with clinician Miss Berenika Zakrzewski through "Yamaha Remote Lesson." With the simultaneously use of Yamaha Diskclaviers in southern California and Boston, students from opposite coasts of the country attend the master class. We are now listening to a performance by Jennifer Murphy in Boston as signals trigger the Diskclavier here to reproduce exactly as how Jennifer plays 3000 miles away.

2012.04.03 - We are happy to announce that Fountain Valley Yamaha Music School now joins Yamaha Music Academy to expand our services to West Orange County including Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster and surrounding areas. Visit us at 18351 Beach Blvd., 2nd Floor Suite I, Huntington Beach.

2012.04 - Yamaha Music Academy is proud to announce that Mr. Carlton's students again receive top honors in the 2012 US JOC. "A Chronicle of Untold Dreams" by Valerie Narumi (Age 13), "Dreamscapes" by Sharon Hurvitz (Age 13), "Journey in the Enchanted Forest" by Megan Chang (Age 11) and "Caribbean Fizz" by Alexander Hurvitz (Age 9) receive "Superior rating" and will be featured in the 2012 National Junior Original Concert on August 5, 2012; while Jaclyn Chu's (Age 15) "Fugue Geometrique" is recognized "Honorable Mention". Congratulations to all the students' great achievement!

2012.01.17 - Two of our students are featured in this year's NAMM Junior Original Concert performance. Sharon and Alexander Hurvitz share the Yamaha exhibit playing their own compositions while streaming live with Yamaha's Diskclavier.

2011.12.11 - Another successful Holidays Concerts Series completed in two eventful Sundays. Students shared the spirit of holidays with music. Thanks to all young musicians of our school. A special appreciation went to our manager, Miss April, who thoughtfully chose and individually wrapped each personalized present for a hundred-plus performers.

2011.10.02 - Congratulations to our student Valerie Narumi who placed third with her performance of the Goldberg Variations in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival Complete Work Audition.

2011.03.05 - Five student composers from our school receive recognitions in the Composers Today State Competition. Congratulations!
Division 2: 2nd place - "Pushy Cat and Nutty Squirrels" by Alexander Hurvitz
Division 2: Honorable Mention - "Ocean Life" by Jonathan Tan
Division 4: 2nd place - "Magical Island" by Valerie Haruka Narumi
Division 4: Honorable Mention - "My Way" by Jaclyn Chu
Division 5: 2nd place - "In Dreams" by Hyunjoong Kim

2011.03.05 - Congratulations to our students who are recognized in the 2011 USA Junior Original Concerts.
Category A Region 5 Division 1 (Age ≤10): Alexander Hurvitz - 1st Place
Category B All Regions Division 2 (Age 11-15): Sharon Hurvitz - 2nd Place (tied); Valerie Narumi - 2nd place (tied); Jaclyn Chu (Honorable Mention)
165 applications were received from creative students aged 7-15 years representing 16 Yamaha Music Schools across the country. 100% of the entries from our school were prized. We are so proud of our students!!

2011.04.18 - MTAC Composers Today Orange Branch Competition winners' announcement: Congratulate to Jonathan Tan's composition "Ocean Life" winning first place in Category B of the contest.

2011.04.18 - Another great news from Southern California Junior Bach Festival: Valerie Narumi was the winner of her category "Goldberg Variations" in the Branch Festival and is advancing to compete in the Regional Festival in May.

2011.04.08 - MTAC State Concerto Competition completed on April 17, 2011. Our student Valerie Narumi received 1st runner-up in her division performing Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2. Congratulations, Valerie!!!

2001.03 - Congratulations to our students who are recognized in the 2011 USA Junior Original Concerts. Category A Region 5 Division 1 (Age ≤10): Alexander Hurvitz - 1st Place Category B All Regions Division 2 (Age 11-15): Sharon Hurvitz - 2nd Place (tied); Valerie Narumi (tied); Jaclyn Chu (Honorable Mention) 165 applications were received from creative students aged 7-15 years representing 16 Yamaha Music Schools across the country. 100% of the entries from our school were prized. We are so proud of our students!!

2011.01.13 - Sharon Hurvitz was the featured performer in this year's NAMM Junior Origianl Concert. Playing at one of Yamaha's latest CF series pianos, Sharon gave a splendid performance withviolist Mr. Alex Russell in her composition "Memories."

2010.10.10 - Congratulate to Valerie Narumi who participated in the 2010 National Junior Original Concert in Lexington, Massachusetts. The 11-year-old vowed the audience with her composition "Journey to a New World" for piano, 2 violins and percussion as wellpub as her on-the-spot improvisation skills. The live internet simulcast concert featured best students from the USA and Canada. Watch the broadcast.

2010.07.04 - Our student winners, Jaclyn Chu, Caroline Huang and Jonathan Ryan Tan performed and received recognition in the winners' concert on July 4, 2010 during the annual MTAC Convention. Among them, Jaclyn Chu also was selected to perform her composition "Mysterious Labyrinth" with clarinetist Mr. John Reilly in the masterclass for Mr. Philip Keveren.

2010.04 - Congratulations to students of Mr. Carlton! Jaclyn Chu received 1st place recognition of her composition "Mystical Labyrinth" for clarinet and piano in Division 3; while Jonathan Ryan Tan's "Grasshopper's Great Day" won 2nd place in Division 1. Also made the list with Honorable Mention was Caroline Huang's piano solo composition "Wings of Belief." Jaclyn is invited to perform with clarinetist Mr. Don Blasick in the MTAC convention masterclass conducted by Mr. Philip Keveren on July 3. All winning students shall appear in the winners recital on July 4 performing their own compositions. This year's MTAC Convention will be held at the LAX Marriott Hotel.

2010.03 - The results of this year's USA Junior Original Concert has been announced. To much anticipation, Mr. Carlton's students receive top honors. Alexander Hurvitz's "Animal Suite" for piano solo: 1st place Category A Region 5 Division 1; Valerie Narum's "Journey to a New World" for 2 violins and piano: 1st place Category B All Region Division 1; Sharon Hurvitz's "Memories" for violin and piano: 2nd place Category B All Region Division 2; Caroline Huang: Honorable Mention Category B All Region Division 1; Jaclyn Chu: Honorable Mention Category B All Region Division 2.

2010.01.16 - As a proud sponsor, we like to congratulate our student Mikayla Thornley who is crowned 2010 Miss Placentia Outstanding Teen. Thirteen contestants in three rounds of competition, comprised of Physical Fitness, Talent, and, Evening and Onstage Question, were going for the coveted title. Mikayla's impressive performance of a number in the musical "Funny Girl" won her also the best in the Talent category; while a charismatic answer to an onstage question confirmed her confidence in front of the audience. Thunderous applause blasted out after the announcement of Mikayla's winning of the title. We are so proud of you - Mikayla!

2010.1.15-16 - Valerie Narumi returns to NAMM (North America Music Merchant) at Anaheim Convention Center to perform with fellow students from Chandler, AZ and Irvine, CA. This year Valerie appear with her mother Motoko in a special ensemble for piano and harp of her own composition "Adventure in the Ice Cream Land" to highlight the theme of this year's concert: "Family Music."

2009.06.14 - Two of Mr. Carlton Liu's students were chosen to perform in the 2009 Yamaha Junior Original Concerts at Biola University. This year the concerts took place at three locations: California, Arizona and New Jersey. More than 30 students were selected from hundreds of entries to represent Yamaha Music Schools all over the USA. Valerie Narumi (age 10) of Yorba Linda and Jaclyn Chu (age 12) of San Gabriel were amongst the best composers in this year's concerts. Jacyln concluded the first half of the show with her newest musical creation for Dizi (Chinese Bamboo Flutes) and Piano entitled "Blossom." After dazzling the audience with an improvisation on a theme given to her on the spot, Valerie performed her virtuoso piano solo composition "Adventures in Ice Cream Land." Watch the performances here.

2009.06 - Valerie Narumi, age 10, is one of the 66 honorees receiving the 2009 President's Volunteer Service Award for her work with UNICEF to raise fund at her debut piano recital. Yamaha Music Academy takes pride in Valerie's achievement and will continue to support her for a good cause.

2009.06.21 - Our 12th annual student concerts concluded with great success. Students in this year's concerts were creative as well as entertaining. We had Mickey Mouse, Skywalker, and little princesses playing piano, keyboard, guitar and violin. The debut performance of our Ode-To-Joy Children Chorus impressed the audience with selections from "The Sound of Music." Students were jumping up and down with joy after their perfect performances when our attentive audience applauded enthusiastically. At the end, the suspense heightened as to whom the "Best Showmanship" and "Crowd-Pleaser" awards go. Results are coming in in a couple more days after our staff carefully count through hundreds of votes. Check back for the winners!

2009.05 - Two of our students, Valerie Narumi and Jonathan Tan, won in the MTAC Composers Today State Competetion. Being the only two winners from the Orange Branch, Valerie received 2nd Place in Division 3, and Jonathan took Honorable Mention in Division 1.

2009.01.24 - "Child Prodigy Valerie Narumi, graced the halls of Fullerton College for a charity recital Saturday, filling the campus with sublime classical music. The delightful young star performed her first solo concert in Recital Hall, highlighting music from Bach, Mozart and her own compositions. Narumi, 9, stunned the audience by her skills of improvisation when she created a beautiful song using five notes randomly selected by the audience. Narumi is a phenomenon at Harmony Music World The Yamaha Music Academy, where she began lessons at the age of 3. Her teacher Carlton Liu quickly noticed her skills. With his instruction, she advanced through the six-year course in four years. Due to Narumi's accelerated learning she has been taught electone, composition and improvisation by Liu and advanced repertoire with Chun-Yi Wang. The Recital was not only to showcase her talent, but also to help under privileged children. Narumi hoped that in sharing her gift of music she will be able to raise funds to help children worldwide survive and grow. With the help of her parents, Narumi put together the event. The proceeds went to the United Nations International Children's Fund. They picked UNICEF because it is the world's leading international children's organization for 60 years. They provide lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response, in hopes of saving lives. For her efforts in charitable donations and her astonishing musical ability, The Los Angeles Performing Arts Institute awarded Narumi The Young Artist Award.Narumi brought the joy of music and self expression to FC." (By Brittany Mello, Fullerton Hornet, January 28, 2009)

2009.01.16-17 - Our student Valerie Narumi, age 9, was among the three young musicians selected to perform at the 2009 Winter NAMM Show held at Anaheim Convention Center on January 16 and 17, 2009. Valerie opened the performance with her composition "My Magic Door..." for violin, cello and piano for visitors and guests to the event. Adding a interesting twist to the performance, the music is played on Yamaha's unique silent string instruments featuring Julian Hallmark on the SV-200 Silent Violin and Xiao-Dan on SVC-210 Silent Cello. Watch the live performance here.

2008.08.12 - Second Thought Poetry and Open Mic presented by the Muckenthaler Cultural Center Foundation in Fullerton was an unforgetable experience for many of our students. With wild, unconformed and imaginative poetry, The Muckenthaler in Fullerton graciously invited advance students from our school to appear with renowned San Diego poets. With such grace and tact, Mr. David Kurtz, our guitar instructor performed with students Joe Callinan, Jim Tao and Hillwood Chan complementing the evening's inspiring poetry in the charming courtyard of the museum.

2008.07.23-27 - An exciting four day event held at the Biola University, La Mirada, California, the 2008 Yamaha JOC Music Camp concluded with a high note featuring 15 students between the ages of 7 and 14 performing their own compositions in a finale concert. These cream of the crop students represented Yamaha Music Schools in New Jersey, Virginia, Arizona, California, Texas, Wiscosin and Canada. Our student Valerie Narumi, age 9, proudly shone in the event with her composition for violin, cello and piano entitled The Magic Door....I Can Go Anywhere. Accompanied by violinist Benjamin and Cellist Carter, Valerie impressed the crowd with her brilliant performance and beautiful music. "Sophisticated" and "amazing" were among the few compliments received from the audience. Thunderous applause filled the hall as all young musicians gave their final bow and received the certificates of achievement.

2007.12.2/9 - Our Christmas concents were successfully concluded after 2 full Sundays of activities. With 8 recitals featuring more than 180 students, they are filled with musical fun and holiday spirits. Chrsitmas carols are of course the top choice for many students but this year we have great variety of performances. Guitar solo, flute duets, piano concertos are all crowd pleasers; dancing and singing entertain our audience with joy. Also is the first time in our concerts that students sing and accompany themselves. Thank you again for all the support from parents and teachers.

2007.08 - Students of Miss Hime Kang, Aaron See and Desi Vasabhuti are both 2nd runner-ups in different categories in the Southern California Music Competition.

2006.07.27-30 - Our student Valerie Narumi is again selected to be one of the 12 young composers/performers featuring in the Yamaha Music Camp 2006. An expansion of the popular Yamaha Jamboree, the Music Camp is open to all Yamaha Music Education System students and teachers in the US. This year's event takes place over a warm summer weekend at the Catholic University of America in the capital city of Washington DC with workshops and seminars leading to the climatic conclusion showcasing 12 new compositions performed by their own composers. Valerie debuts her piano solo Animals on Parade with finesse and dexterity. A theme and variations, Valerie's composition vividly displays the images of different animals like canaries, giraffes, elephants and little puppies under her fingers. Her performance wins the audience's euthusiastic applause.

2005.05 - Miss Hime Kang’s students, Desi Vasabhuti, age 7, and Aaron See, age 9, are the 1st runners-up in Division VIB and Division VB respectively in the 2005 Cypress College Piano Competition.

2005.04 - Valerie Narumi, age 6, a Yamaha Junior Extension Course student, performed her winning solo piano composition Jumping Puppy in San Diego, California. Being the youngest composer/performer in the concert, Valerie captures the audiences with her perfect performance.

2004.11 - Featured article “Proven Musical Education System is Based on A Child’s Natural Ability to Learn” (Nov 2004) appears in Experience Fullerton Magazine, a bi-monthly publication delivered to homes and businesses in Fullerton and Brea areas.

2004.04.17 - Allison Yorita, age 16, a veteran performer/composer at the Yamaha Junior Original Concert graduated from the program with her composition Breeze. Allison performed this lively and modern jazz fusion piece with fellow student, Nadia Jhunjnuwala, at the Yamaha Electone ELX-1, her teacher Mr. Carlton Liu at the Yamaha S-80 synthesizer, and drummer Mr. M.B. Gordy on percussion.

2004.07 - Advance student Calvin Chang’s composition Armada for strings and percussion wins first place in the 2003-2004 National Student Competition, Senior Composition Division.

2004.04 - First time contestant Aaron See, age 8, receives first price in the junior division performing Clementi’s Sonatina.

2003.05 - Nadia Jhunjhnuwala brings home first prize in the teenage division of the festival. Her winning performance Comical Train at the Yamaha Electone EL90 was also featured in the Yamaha Junior Original Concert Jamboree in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this year.

2002.11.17 - JOC, an event to benefit the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra at Irvine Barclay Theatre, Cheng Hall featured our students Jennifer Lin, Allison Yorita and Henry Lee with their own compositions Valse Brillante, Dream of a Child and Locomotif.

2002.04 - This year’s young composers representing our school are Isaac Su, age 12, and Andrew Yu, age 11. Their solo debut performances of own compositions Toccata in A Minor and A Little Song showcase the talents in them.

2002.01.18 - Isaac Su, age 12, performed his own composition for piano solo, Toccata in A minor, in the National American Music Merchants trade show. An enthusiastic audience of NAMM 2002 attendees enjoyed the exciting and colorful music of young composers at noontime JOC concerts, hosted by pianist and composer, Mike Garson.

2001.06.02 - The second of the Yamaha JOC Jamboree takes place in Bloomington, Minnesota, featuring 16 talents students from Yamaha Music Schools all over the country. Elizabeth Moore, age 13, and Henry Lee, age 14, represent our school to perform in the concert. Elizabeth, accompanied by her teacher Mr. Carlton Liu, premieres her newly finished Festive Concerto, and Henry performs a duo with saxophonist Ann Patterson in his composition Railroad Suite.

2001.05 - Averee Chang and Melanie Chen are both winners of the annual event organized by MTAC. Averee is awarded 1st place in Division 3 with her composition Kaleidescope (Theme and Variations) for piano solo; Melanie 2nd place in Division 4 with In the Memory of Chopin. They are invited to perform their own compositions at the MTAC State Convention held in Burlingham, California the end of June.

2001.05 - Congratulations to Elizabeth Moore and Melanie Chen who won the Music Teachers’ Association of California’s Composers Today Orange branch Composition Competition. Elizabeth’s Festive Concerto received the first prize in Category D for students ages 13-15 and Melanie’s In the Memory of Chopin was placed first in Category C for student ages 11-12.

2001.04.21 - The first of two Yamaha Junior Original concert Jamborees was successfully held in Phoenix, Arizona. Four of the students who are studying with Mr. Carlton Liu were among the 15 participants premiering their won compositions. Renee Chang and Averee Chang performed Fantastic Waltz and Kaleidescope (Theme and Variations) written for solo piano. Sebastian Chang impressed the audiences with his piano concerto “Pulsar” while Calvin Chang, who was graduating from the Junior Original Concert program, gave an unforgettable performance in a large ensemble of Armada for violin, cello, piano and three percussionists.

2001.04 - Allison Yorita, a composition student of Mr. Carlton Liu, was honored the Certificate of Recognition by the California State Assembly for her splendid performance of her own composition Dream of a Child at the 2000 Yamaha National Junior Original Concert in Mahwah, New Jersey.

2001.02 - Christopher Ballard, age 12, was invited to perform at the inauguration ceremony of President George W. Bush in Washington D.C. Christopher is currently studying composition with Mr. Carlton Liu.

2000.10.01 - Calvin Chang, 15, and Allison Yorita, 12, were the only two California representatives performed in the Celebration 2000 Yamaha National Junior Original Concert at the Berrie Center, Ramapo College of New Jersey. Appearing in concert with these two talented performers was their instructor Carlton Liu as a guest performer accompanying JOC graduate NiTasha Jackson from Fredericksburg, VA on her song Just Hold On To Me.

2000.05 - Congratulations to Allison Yorita, whose composition Dream of a Child received the above mentioned award. She performs her piece with a cellist at the MTAC State Convention in San Diego in July 2000.

2000.04.06-9 - The annual JOC Jamboree took place again at the Doubletree Resort in San Diego, California. Once again, students from our school stole the best moments in both concerts. Melanie Chen and Isaac Su debuted their new solo piano compositions; Allison Yorita in her piano and cello duo; Calvin Chang with his monumental work Legends for piano, Electone and percussion. The concerts presented 30 top original works composed by students form Yamaha Music Schools nationwide in the US.

2000.02.05-6 - Emily Nafius was a featured performer in a series of concerts at the Winter NAMM 2000 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Her jazz composition Twilight on State Street was inspired by her candid performance with her uncle in a jazz club in Santa Barbara. The performance was accompanied by her teacher, Mr. Carlton Liu, on the Yamaha AR-100 Electone.

1999.11.21 - Nine student performers were featured with their own composition in the JOC National Highlights Concert at the newly completed Edgewood Auditorium. Five top compositions were chosen amongst more than 30 pieces performed in the 1999 JOC Jamboree earlier this year. Three of the five best students were studying composition with Mr. Carlton Liu. They were Sebastian Chang, Tommy Chien and Emily Nafius. Other featured guests included performers from Canada, San Antonia, Texas, and graduates from the JOC program.

1999.08.15 - Emily Nafius, 16, and Koichi Sanchez, 15 both graduates of the Junior Original Concert (JOC) program, and students of our school, were featured in a special dedication ceremony for the Japanese American Museum in downtown Los Angeles during the Nissei Week. They performed their own compositions Twilight on State Street and Blackout, respectively, highlighted in two concerts.

1999.08 - Sebastian Chang, one of our top students, was selected by Yamaha Music Foundation of Japan for this year’s event to be held in Tokyo, Japan.

1999.06 - David Chiu, a junior with a triple major in biology, chemistry and music at University of California Irvine, is inducted as a member of this prestigious group of young composers within the Music Teachers’ Association of California. David has been studying piano, Electone, and composition with Mr. Carlton Liu since age 10.

1999.06 - Congratulations to the following students who placed in the Music Teachers’ Association of California, Composers Today State Contest, all of whom will perform their own compositions at the 1999 MTAC State Convention in Monterey, California on July 4th, 1999. 1st place – Sebastian Chang, 2nd place – Allison Yorita and Stephanie Be, Honorable Mention – Melanie Chen and Averee Chang

1999.05.15 - Isaac Su and Jialu Chen, both first time participants in a piano competition, won 4th place in separate divisions of the Cypress College Piano Competition on May 15th, 1999.

1997.12.13 - Yamaha Music Academy is pleased to announce the following students of Mr. Carlton Liu are among the 32 selected finalists invited to perform their own original compositions for the upcoming American region 1998 Yamaha National Junior Original Concert Jamboree in San Diego, California, to be held in April, 1998: Calvin Chang, Sebastian Chang, Averee Chang, Katherine Chiu, Elizabeth Moore, Koichi Sanchez, Linda Vuong The US National Junior Original Concert is a showcase of the Yamaha Music Education System, and features students graduated from the Junior Music Course (JMC) and Young Musicians Course (YMC) performing their original compositions. For the US region, more than 300 pieces were submitted by young composers form Yamaha Music Schools nationwide this year and the top 32 compositions were chosen for the annual US National JOC. Congratulations to these talented young musicians who shall perform their won creations in this exciting annual event.