2026-2027 Calendar
NC Triangle Students:
Carey-Apex Piano Teachers Assoc.
Nov. 7 & Apr. 10: student recitals, Resurrection Lutheran Church
Holiday Festival
Theory testings: deadline Nov. 1
Apr. 24: Bullard Competition / Scholarship Auditions
Masterclass: ask Deanna
Sonatina Competition at Carey School of Music: Apr. 11
Recital (Sonatina Competition winners): Apr. 12, 3:00, Hopper Piano
Chapel Hill MTA:
Recital: Nov. 8, 2:00 p.m., United Church of Chapel Hill
Master classes:
Durham MTA:
Oct. 25: Adult Recital at PANC
Dec. 5-6: Winter Playathon at United Church of Chapel Hill
Performance Festival: May 16
North Carolina MTA
Performance Festival: Mar. 20
Honors Recital: TBA
ONE-MINUTE CLUB PARTY: TBA, at the studio
For all of those who passed their note quizzes this year, come and celebrate!
Raleigh Federation of Music Clubs Festival: Mar. 8
Raleigh Piano Teachers Assoc.:
Elite International Competition: Nov. 21
Ensemble Festival: Jan. 30-31
Musicales:
Recitals: Oct. 11 & May 2
Young Artist Auditions: Mar. 12-13
Young Artist Auditions Honors Recital: Mar. 21
**************************
ALL STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES, 2026-2027
Parent-student-teacher conferences: First October lesson, at regular lesson times
Parents, please bring your calendars
Halloween Workshops: Oct. 24 (Sat.): 3:00-3:45 p.m.
For students only.
Raleigh students: come in costume, if you'd like!
Twin Cities students: join via Zoom
Christmas Workshops: Sat., Dec. 19, at APS Studio, 3:00-4:00
Twin Cities students: join via Zoom
Adult Dessert & Musicale: Dec. 20, 2:00 p.m. at APS Studio
For adult students and guests - here at the studio
Twin Cities students: join via Zoom,.
This is informal, and fun!!
Andersen Piano Studio Recital Day: TBD
Twin Cities, MN-Based Opportunities:
SALON SE LEVE CONCERTS in MN:
Sundays, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Mpls.
Art Gallery (2nd floor) - handicapped accessible
Oct. 18: Noah Greenstein-Sheppard, piano - Larson Award Winner
Nov. 15: Andre Peck, piano, & Anna Wakely, violin
Feb. 14: Aeon Bashir, cello, & Ella Wan, piano
Mar. 14: Harold Fang, piano, & William Feng, piano
Apr. 11: Lorelei Schoenhard, violin, & Christian Garner, trumpet
May 2: Alex Rodriguez, piano, & Summer Liu, cello
*June 6: Chamber Chamboree Benefit Concert
Hear some of MN's finest young artists play some of the best music ever written in the Art Gallery,
at Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church. Meet these young artists at the delicious receptions following the performances.
Quiet children are very welcome - listening and seeing will be inspirational!
*Chamber Chamboree Benefit Concert: the only SsL concert where tickets are required
All other concerts are free and open to the public; donations are graciously accepted, as all SsL concerts are funded by the generous support of its patrons and members.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUALIFYING STUDENTS, 2026-2027
MN Opportunities: (NC students can participate virtually)
(Alphabetized by organization / event)
ADVANCED MASTER CLASS
Performers: Advanced students - invited by Deanna
One parent per performer invited due to space limitations
Location: Andersen Piano Studio
MINNEAPOLIS MUSIC TEACHERS FORUM RECITALS & PERFORMANCES
Recitals on Sundays (some events on Saturdays):
Oct. 18: Schmitt Music, Bloomington (L)
Nov. 15: First Evangelical Free Church, Mpls. (L)
Dec. 6: Schmitt Music, Bloomington (Kablaevsky Highlight)
Jan. 3, 10, and 17: Schmitt Music, Bloomington
Feb. 6-7: Young Artist Critique Event
Feb. 20: Ninth Grade Auditions
Feb. 21: MacPhail Center for Music, Mpls. (L)
Mar. 14: First Evangelical Free Church, Mpls. (L)
Mar. 20: Senior Music Award Auditions, Schmitt Music, Bloomington
Mar. 20: Virtual
Apr. 18: MacPhail Center for Music, Mpls. (L)
May 2: Schmitt Music, Bloomington
May 16: Honors Recitals for 5th-11th Grades AND Senior Awards and Honors (separate recitals)
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church, Mpls.
Recitals are on Sunday afternoons between 12:30-4:00 p.m., except for * events
Students must have recital pieces memorized and performance-ready before registration.
Registration fees and time requests are due a month ahead of the recital dates listed above,
except for Saturday * events - ask Deanna
(L) = Lollipop recitals also held on these days for students ages 8 and under on the recital day.
TBA:
(C) = Composition recitals, featuring student compositions (bring written scores to recital) also held that day
(A-T) = Adult & Teen Beginner recitals also held that day
No judges are present for Lollipop, Composition, and Adult & Teen Beginner recitals.
MN FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS PIANO FESTIVAL: Feb. 27
OAK HAVEN CHURCH, ANDOVER
1555 Constance Blvd., NE
Andover, MN 55304
Registration fees and time requests are due by Jan. 1, 2025
Pieces must be memorized and performance-ready by Jan. 24.
MN MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION PROGRAMS:
Pieces must be performance-ready and memorized 6 weeks prior to performance.
MMTA CONTESTS:
District Contest: (Sat.-Sun.): Jan. 23-24, Bethel University
Registration for day and morning / afternoon requests due by Nov. 22, 2024
Time changes (not day changes) allowed until Jan. 1, with $10.00 fee
Finals Contest: (Sat.-Sun): Mar. 6-7, U of M, Ferguson Hall
Registration due Feb. 1
Young Artist Contest: Feb. 27, Normandale Lutheran Church, Edina
Finals: Mar. 14, Schmitt Music, Bloomington
Registration due Dec. 15
For Finalists Winners:
Honors Concert (20 grands on the stage!): May 22, 2027, 7:00 p.m., Mpls. Convention Center;
tickets required for non-performers
Honors Concert Rehearsals with conductor: Apr. 10, Apr. 24, May 8 at Schmitt Music, Bloomington:
Winners may miss ONE of the first 2 rehearsals IF your written requested absence is approved 2 weeks prior
May 22, 2027: Dress rehearsal, Mpls. Convention Center
Registration due Mar. 1, 2027
Young Artist Winners Recital: TBA
(PIANO SOLO FESTIVAL: Jan. 23-24, Bethel University, Arden Hills
Non-competitive; no theory requirement; students play any level)
Composition Contest & Solo Festival:
Postmark deadline: Mar. 1
Student Composition Festival: Mar. 1
Registration and fee due by Feb. 23
Composition Winners Recital (TBA)
Ensemble Festivals:
Nov. 7, 21-22: Schmitt Music, Bloomington
Nov. 15: Prospect Park United Methodist Church, Mpls.
Registration and fee due 6 weeks before performance.
Music Bridges:
Nov. 14 & Feb. 13: Univ. Northwestern, St. Paul
Dec. 5-6: Virtual
Apr. 17: Prospect Park United Methodist Church, Mpls.
Registration and fee due 6 weeks before exam.
MMTA Piano, Keyboard, & Sight Playing Exams: Virtual: Videos due on these dates:
Nov. 22 and Feb. 21
June and August TBA
All repertoire must be recorded on one unedited video. A second video may be recorded for keyboard skills,
and a third video for sight playing.
MMTA Piano, Keyboard Skills & Sight Playing Exams, In Person:
Dec. 6 and Apr. 11 (Sundays): K & S Conservatory of Music, Woodbury
Feb. 13: University of Northwestern at St. Paul
May 2: Laurel School, St. Paul
Registration, fee, and time requests due 6 weeks before exam.
MMTA PLay-a-thon;
Feb. 20-21: Macy's Court, Mall of America
Theory Exams - Virtual
Pre-recorded exams along with written and aural tests can be done at any time!
Theory Exams - In Person
Nov. 14, Feb. 13, and Apr. 11: University of Northwestern at St. Paul
Dec. 6: K & S Studios, Woodbury
July, 2027: TBA
Registration, fee, and time requests due 6 weeks before exam.
MUSIC TEACHERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION COMPETITIONS
Ask Deanna
SCALE OLYMPICS: TBA
For students who can play 4-octave scales (hands together) in sixteenth notes with the metronome
for a judge, virtually,
and who know their key signatures (quiz given).
Winner receives gift card, $35.00
Registration and pre-payment (15.00 per student) required by Apr. 15.
ST. PAUL PIANO TEACHERS ASSOCIATION RECITALS: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Z = Zoom recitals playing student videos, due a week before the recital listed
Oct. 10: Coffee Shop Piano Recital (adults only)
Oct. 17: Virtual
Dec. 6: Prospect Park United Methodist Church, Mpls.: Adults only recital AND Regular recital
Feb. 6: Virtual
Feb. 28: Thelma Hunger Recital Room, Landmark Center
Mar. 20: Virtual
Apr. 18: Schmitt Music, Bloomington: Adults only recital and Regular recitals
Honors Recitals: May 29, In person; May 30: Virtual
Pieces must be recital-ready and memorized 4 weeks before the recital day.
SPPTA Piano Concerto Competition: open to the public; TBA
Preliminaries (day time) & Finals (6:30-8:30 p.m.):
Winner Performance with the Mississippi Valley Orchestra:
Benson Great Hall, Bethel University, St. Paul
Registration deadline:
WIRTH CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS SPRING GALA:
Deanna will contact you regarding openings
Local Rehearsals at Schmitt Music Warehouse, Bloomington, TBA by Dr. Paul Wirth
7800 Harmony Drive (some apps still have Picture Drive)
Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, Steinway Studio, St. Cloud rehearsals for all other ensembles:
Concert & Dress Rehearsal Location: Ritsche Auditorium, Stewart Hall, St. Cloud State Univ.
Mandatory Dress rehearsals: arrive in back of auditorium 15 minutes early and find your seating area
For the Concert: Performers: arrive in seats by 5:45
Tickets required for audience; call (320) 255-0318, or go to wirthcenter.org
$12 advance tickets; $15 day of concert
Seating is limited
WCPA YOUNG ARTIST PIANO CAMP:
For more information:
www.wirthcenter.org
Parent-student-teacher conferences: First October lesson, at regular lesson times
Parents, please bring your calendars
Halloween Workshops: Oct. 24 (Sat.): 3:00-3:45 p.m.
For students only.
Raleigh students: come in costume, if you'd like!
Twin Cities students: join via Zoom
Christmas Workshops: Sat., Dec. 19, at APS Studio, 3:00-4:00
Twin Cities students: join via Zoom
Adult Dessert & Musicale: Dec. 20, 2:00 p.m. at APS Studio
For adult students and guests - here at the studio
Twin Cities students: join via Zoom,.
This is informal, and fun!!
Andersen Piano Studio Recital Day: TBD
Twin Cities, MN-Based Opportunities:
SALON SE LEVE CONCERTS in MN:
Sundays, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Mpls.
Art Gallery (2nd floor) - handicapped accessible
Oct. 18: Noah Greenstein-Sheppard, piano - Larson Award Winner
Nov. 15: Andre Peck, piano, & Anna Wakely, violin
Feb. 14: Aeon Bashir, cello, & Ella Wan, piano
Mar. 14: Harold Fang, piano, & William Feng, piano
Apr. 11: Lorelei Schoenhard, violin, & Christian Garner, trumpet
May 2: Alex Rodriguez, piano, & Summer Liu, cello
*June 6: Chamber Chamboree Benefit Concert
Hear some of MN's finest young artists play some of the best music ever written in the Art Gallery,
at Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church. Meet these young artists at the delicious receptions following the performances.
Quiet children are very welcome - listening and seeing will be inspirational!
*Chamber Chamboree Benefit Concert: the only SsL concert where tickets are required
All other concerts are free and open to the public; donations are graciously accepted, as all SsL concerts are funded by the generous support of its patrons and members.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUALIFYING STUDENTS, 2026-2027
MN Opportunities: (NC students can participate virtually)
(Alphabetized by organization / event)
ADVANCED MASTER CLASS
Performers: Advanced students - invited by Deanna
One parent per performer invited due to space limitations
Location: Andersen Piano Studio
MINNEAPOLIS MUSIC TEACHERS FORUM RECITALS & PERFORMANCES
Recitals on Sundays (some events on Saturdays):
Oct. 18: Schmitt Music, Bloomington (L)
Nov. 15: First Evangelical Free Church, Mpls. (L)
Dec. 6: Schmitt Music, Bloomington (Kablaevsky Highlight)
Jan. 3, 10, and 17: Schmitt Music, Bloomington
Feb. 6-7: Young Artist Critique Event
Feb. 20: Ninth Grade Auditions
Feb. 21: MacPhail Center for Music, Mpls. (L)
Mar. 14: First Evangelical Free Church, Mpls. (L)
Mar. 20: Senior Music Award Auditions, Schmitt Music, Bloomington
Mar. 20: Virtual
Apr. 18: MacPhail Center for Music, Mpls. (L)
May 2: Schmitt Music, Bloomington
May 16: Honors Recitals for 5th-11th Grades AND Senior Awards and Honors (separate recitals)
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church, Mpls.
Recitals are on Sunday afternoons between 12:30-4:00 p.m., except for * events
Students must have recital pieces memorized and performance-ready before registration.
Registration fees and time requests are due a month ahead of the recital dates listed above,
except for Saturday * events - ask Deanna
(L) = Lollipop recitals also held on these days for students ages 8 and under on the recital day.
TBA:
(C) = Composition recitals, featuring student compositions (bring written scores to recital) also held that day
(A-T) = Adult & Teen Beginner recitals also held that day
No judges are present for Lollipop, Composition, and Adult & Teen Beginner recitals.
MN FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS PIANO FESTIVAL: Feb. 27
OAK HAVEN CHURCH, ANDOVER
1555 Constance Blvd., NE
Andover, MN 55304
Registration fees and time requests are due by Jan. 1, 2025
Pieces must be memorized and performance-ready by Jan. 24.
MN MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION PROGRAMS:
Pieces must be performance-ready and memorized 6 weeks prior to performance.
MMTA CONTESTS:
District Contest: (Sat.-Sun.): Jan. 23-24, Bethel University
Registration for day and morning / afternoon requests due by Nov. 22, 2024
Time changes (not day changes) allowed until Jan. 1, with $10.00 fee
Finals Contest: (Sat.-Sun): Mar. 6-7, U of M, Ferguson Hall
Registration due Feb. 1
Young Artist Contest: Feb. 27, Normandale Lutheran Church, Edina
Finals: Mar. 14, Schmitt Music, Bloomington
Registration due Dec. 15
For Finalists Winners:
Honors Concert (20 grands on the stage!): May 22, 2027, 7:00 p.m., Mpls. Convention Center;
tickets required for non-performers
Honors Concert Rehearsals with conductor: Apr. 10, Apr. 24, May 8 at Schmitt Music, Bloomington:
Winners may miss ONE of the first 2 rehearsals IF your written requested absence is approved 2 weeks prior
May 22, 2027: Dress rehearsal, Mpls. Convention Center
Registration due Mar. 1, 2027
Young Artist Winners Recital: TBA
(PIANO SOLO FESTIVAL: Jan. 23-24, Bethel University, Arden Hills
Non-competitive; no theory requirement; students play any level)
Composition Contest & Solo Festival:
Postmark deadline: Mar. 1
Student Composition Festival: Mar. 1
Registration and fee due by Feb. 23
Composition Winners Recital (TBA)
Ensemble Festivals:
Nov. 7, 21-22: Schmitt Music, Bloomington
Nov. 15: Prospect Park United Methodist Church, Mpls.
Registration and fee due 6 weeks before performance.
Music Bridges:
Nov. 14 & Feb. 13: Univ. Northwestern, St. Paul
Dec. 5-6: Virtual
Apr. 17: Prospect Park United Methodist Church, Mpls.
Registration and fee due 6 weeks before exam.
MMTA Piano, Keyboard, & Sight Playing Exams: Virtual: Videos due on these dates:
Nov. 22 and Feb. 21
June and August TBA
All repertoire must be recorded on one unedited video. A second video may be recorded for keyboard skills,
and a third video for sight playing.
MMTA Piano, Keyboard Skills & Sight Playing Exams, In Person:
Dec. 6 and Apr. 11 (Sundays): K & S Conservatory of Music, Woodbury
Feb. 13: University of Northwestern at St. Paul
May 2: Laurel School, St. Paul
Registration, fee, and time requests due 6 weeks before exam.
MMTA PLay-a-thon;
Feb. 20-21: Macy's Court, Mall of America
Theory Exams - Virtual
Pre-recorded exams along with written and aural tests can be done at any time!
Theory Exams - In Person
Nov. 14, Feb. 13, and Apr. 11: University of Northwestern at St. Paul
Dec. 6: K & S Studios, Woodbury
July, 2027: TBA
Registration, fee, and time requests due 6 weeks before exam.
MUSIC TEACHERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION COMPETITIONS
Ask Deanna
SCALE OLYMPICS: TBA
For students who can play 4-octave scales (hands together) in sixteenth notes with the metronome
for a judge, virtually,
and who know their key signatures (quiz given).
Winner receives gift card, $35.00
Registration and pre-payment (15.00 per student) required by Apr. 15.
ST. PAUL PIANO TEACHERS ASSOCIATION RECITALS: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Z = Zoom recitals playing student videos, due a week before the recital listed
Oct. 10: Coffee Shop Piano Recital (adults only)
Oct. 17: Virtual
Dec. 6: Prospect Park United Methodist Church, Mpls.: Adults only recital AND Regular recital
Feb. 6: Virtual
Feb. 28: Thelma Hunger Recital Room, Landmark Center
Mar. 20: Virtual
Apr. 18: Schmitt Music, Bloomington: Adults only recital and Regular recitals
Honors Recitals: May 29, In person; May 30: Virtual
Pieces must be recital-ready and memorized 4 weeks before the recital day.
SPPTA Piano Concerto Competition: open to the public; TBA
Preliminaries (day time) & Finals (6:30-8:30 p.m.):
Winner Performance with the Mississippi Valley Orchestra:
Benson Great Hall, Bethel University, St. Paul
Registration deadline:
WIRTH CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS SPRING GALA:
Deanna will contact you regarding openings
Local Rehearsals at Schmitt Music Warehouse, Bloomington, TBA by Dr. Paul Wirth
7800 Harmony Drive (some apps still have Picture Drive)
Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, Steinway Studio, St. Cloud rehearsals for all other ensembles:
Concert & Dress Rehearsal Location: Ritsche Auditorium, Stewart Hall, St. Cloud State Univ.
Mandatory Dress rehearsals: arrive in back of auditorium 15 minutes early and find your seating area
For the Concert: Performers: arrive in seats by 5:45
Tickets required for audience; call (320) 255-0318, or go to wirthcenter.org
$12 advance tickets; $15 day of concert
Seating is limited
WCPA YOUNG ARTIST PIANO CAMP:
For more information:
www.wirthcenter.org