Ahwatukee Foothills residents Dan Nguyen, 6, and Brennan Cumpston, 9, have been selected to perform in the Suzuki Piano Basics Friendship Concert starting at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at Westwood High School, 945 W. 8th St., Mesa. The concert is being presented by the Arizona Suzuki Association Phoenix Piano Group and will feature 22 students from across the United States. Nguyen and Cumpson are students of local Suzuki teacher Karen Nalder.

This concert is being given in conjunction with a piano workshop being taught by teachers from the internationally-acclaimed Talent Education Research Institute in Matsumoto, Japan, which was established by Shinichi Suzuki, the founder of the famous Suzuki Method. Teachers attending are from across the United States and Canada.

The Suzuki Method approaches learning to play music as one learns language; hear it, say it (play it), then read it. Children as young as 3 listen to high-quality music that they learn to play and later learn to read. By watching other children perform, young children realize that any child can learn to play the piano well. Using the Suzuki Method, parents and teachers create a learning environment where all children can be successful.

This concert is being given as a gift to the community with no cost to attend. Parents are encouraged to bring their piano students and “potential” piano students for an afternoon of fun and inspiration. All teachers and interested community members are welcome.

For more information on the concert, workshop or the Suzuki Method, e-mail Karen Nalder at karennalder@gmail.com or Gloria Elliott at gelliott50@aol.com.

Announcement: Rebecca Willett to Perform with the Richmond Symphony (Virginia)

Rebecca Willett, Suzuki student of Melody Diehl from 1998-2007, will perform as a soloist with the Richmond Symphony on April 1st at 7:00. As a winner of the piano division of their Young Artist Competition, Rebecca will perform Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, 1st Movement.

Click here for details!

Rebecca was an enthusiastic Suzuki Piano Basics student who attended the Louisville Suzuki Piano Institute for 9 summers, participated in 3 10-Piano Concerts in Sacramento and Matsumoto, and completed the entire Suzuki repertoire. She grew up studying under all of the amazing Piano Basics master teachers both in the United States and in Japan. In 2007, Melody Kiehl "graduated" Rebecca from her studio, and Rebecca began studying with Dr. Jeffrey Brown of Christopher Newport University. She aspires to become a concert pianist. If you live near Richmond, VA and can attend this midweek concert, please come out to support Rebecca!