Enthusiastic and talented Port Washington piano students of the multi-media studio of Ruth Pleines were featured at the 36th annual recital on Friday evening, June 10, at Shelter Rock Church in Manhasset. Family and friends enjoyed the pianists’ choice of solos and duets reflective of the various musical eras—baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary, including popular and jazz.
Phoebe Christake welcomed the guests. Students introduced themselves and the chosen pieces from their repertoire before performing: Hannah Bellmann, Celia Christake, Phoebe Christake, Frank Di Caro, Lisa Di Caro, Rose Di Caro, Eden Franco, Luca Mayeri, Oliver Mayeri, Kaitlin Morris, Devyn Sivin, Carly Sommer, Elina Sommer, Dylan Sommer, Abby Smith, Connor Worms, Jenna Worms and Violet Worms.
Diplomas and pins were presented to each student who received honors in performance in the 2016 National Guild Piano Auditions held in early June in Garden City; thereby admitting him or her to the National Fraternity of Student Musicians, American College of Musicians.
Local winners with a two- or three-piece program were Hannah Bellmann*9, Celia Christake*8, Lisa Di Caro*2, Rose Di Caro*7, Kaitlin Morris*8 and Connor Worms*1 (*represents the number of years the student has performed in the National Guild). District winners with a four-piece memorized program were Devyn Sivin*1 and Violet Worms*1. The state winner with a seven-piece memorized program was Frank Di Caro*7. National winners with a ten-piece memorized program were Phoebe Christake*6, Eden Franco*7, Luca Mayeri*1, Oliver Mayeri*1, Carly Sommer*1, Dylan Sommer*2, Elina Sommer*2, Abigail Smith*4 and Jenna Worms*7.
Special commendation was given to Hannah Bellmann, Eden Franco and Jenna Worms for being chosen to play in the Long Island Piano Teachers Recital on June 3 at the Jericho Public Library. Their performances were stellar. Eden Franco also excellently performed the beautiful Moonlight Sonata, Adagio, for NYSSMA.
Lisa Di Caro, graduating Schreiber senior, was honored for her commitment to piano/music study.
