Three cheers for our graduating Merit Scholars! CSMA is so proud of you and wishes you all the best on the next leg of your educational journey. Our departing 2025 scholars are:
Amanda K. (piano); Instructor: Muza Mdzinarishvili; 7 years as a Merit Scholar; Carleton College
Brandon A. (piano); Instructor: Axel Schmitt; 7 years as a Merit Scholar; University of Denver
Elizabeth W. (voice); Instructor: Kaye DeVries; 1 year as a Merit Scholar; UC San Diego
Noam A. (piano); Instructor: Jacob Brodski; 7 years as a Merit Scholar; University of Washington
Sandy X. (piano); Instructor: Axel Schmitt; 4 years as a Merit Scholar; UC Santa Barbara
Stephen Z. (trumpet); Instructor: Jacob Brodski; 6 years as a Merit Scholar.
The Merit Scholar Program supports CSMA private lesson students who show a high degree of dedication to their craft and are looking to take their musical studies to a deeper level. This select group of students is admitted to the program through annual auditions and receives additional performance, ensemble, and other learning opportunities. Merit Scholars are regarded as ambassadors of CSMA’s Music School.
We asked the students to share some advice for younger scholars as they prepare to depart the program. Here are a few of their words of wisdom:
“The program is as much a place for musical enrichment as it is an opportunity to exercise social skills you might not get to within your private lesson studio—get to know your fellow Merit Scholars/ensemble-mates, the adult leaders, and even the concert-goers when you perform in outreach concerts! (The retirement home folks are always so pleasant!)” – Amanda K.
Piano student Brandon A. drove home the importance of dedication to your progress. His advice: “Practice consistently.”
Noam A. wants younger scholars to remember it’s OK to challenge themselves. Noam wrote:
“Be proud of how far you’ve gotten. If you work hard, the music will find some sort of way to function, so don’t be too afraid of trying to one-up yourself every year. At the same time, it’s perfectly fine to have the same outreach piece for 4 years; it’s still got to be some sort of fun!”
Sandy X’s advice: “Talk to more people, ask them to play duets or stuff with you, use this opportunity as much as you can! You will meet so many cool and talented people and play so many different kinds of music.”
Stephen Z. has been a merit scholar for six years. The piano student left students with a simple but powerful takeaway from the program: “Remember your achievements in times of despair!”
By TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton
