Most Students of The Heart of Piano Conservatory participate in annual auditions for the American College of Musicians. Students choose their own pieces, prepare them, and play them for a judge. For this, they receive a report card, certificate, and pen. The judging system is a similar to a pass-fail grading system.
2026 National Piano Playing Auditions
Congratulations to the following student who completed his Guild Audition via FaceTime with Megan Kennedy, who judged him from Michigan!
Jack: Elementary A, 3 pieces
2025 National Piano Playing Auditions
Congratulations to the following student who completed his Guild Audition via FaceTime with Regina Carnazzo, who judged him from Oklahoma!
Jack: Elementary A, 3 pieces
2024 National Piano Playing Auditions
Congratulations to the following students who completed their Guild Auditions via Skype/Zoom with Dr. Cathleen Jeffcoat, who judged them from Maryland!
Jack: Elementary A, 2 pieces
Ben: Intermediate C, 5 pieces
Albert: Preparatory D, 1 piece
2023 National Piano Playing Auditions
Congratulations to Benjamin,
who completed his Guild Audition via Skype with Yvonne Alling, who judged him from South Carolina!
2022 National Piano Playing Auditions
Congratulations to Benjamin and Albert,
who completed their Guild Auditions via Skype with Susan Nagel, MM, who judged them from North Dakota!
2021 National Piano Playing Auditions
Congratulations to the following students, who even in the midst of a pandemic completed their Guild Auditions via Skype with Yvonne Alling, MM, NCTM, who judged them from South Carolina!
Benjamin: Elementary C, 10 pieces
Jared: Intermediate A, 5 pieces
Albert: Intermediate C, 10 pieces; also achieved The Five Year National Roll, for completing a National 10 part program for a minimum of 5 years
Students have the opportunity to play in several recital events through Peoria Area Music Teachers Association (PAMTA). These recitals are not required, but many students do enjoy participating in them. They include a Jazz Recital, Duet Recital, etc.
PAMTA hosts a Monster Concert, where students perform duets with a large group, every other year. In alternate years, PAMTA hosts a Sonata Festival which is a competition between students of a similar level.
Sonata/Sonatina Festival Competition 2017
Congratulations to the following students who were winners:
Adrian, Level 1A, Second Place
Sarah, Level 1B, Second Place
Aleaha, Level 2A, Third Place
Jared, Level 3A, Third Place
The Heart of Piano Conservatory students have the opportunity to play Christmas music either for a local nursing home or retirement community or a Christmas Festival each year. Most students also play in a Spring Recital each year, which is normally followed by a reception with refreshments.