Yamaha Students Win Top Prizes at MMTA Festival
Foster Jackson and Samuel Seo Impress Judges with Performances
Two students at Yamaha Music School of Boston were thrilled when they learned the results of the Massachusetts Music Teachers Association festival, which took place at Indian Hill Music School in Littleton, MA in late February. Foster Jackson and Samuel Seo both took home top prizes from the competition when results were posted last month. This is an exciting first for YMS Boston and the students.
Foster Jackson, son of Philip Jackson and Michelle Ciccolo, played Arabesque Op. 100, No. 2 (Burgmuller) and won first place in the Piano BB category for ages 7 - 10. Foster has been studying at Yamaha since 2006, and is currently in the second level of Junior Advanced Course, after graduating from the Junior Music Course and Junior Extension Course.
Samuel Seo, son of Yongjin and Heejeong Seo, played Ballade Op. 1
00, No. 15 (Burgmuller) and won third place in the Piano BA category for ages 7 - 10. Samuel began his studies at Yamaha shortly after his family moved to Cambridge from Korea just last fall. Both students take private piano lessons from the same teacher at YMS Boston.
Their teacher, John Stapp, is proud of his students’ achievements. "The top students from all over the state competed in this festival,” John said. “I am so proud of Foster and Samuel for working hard and applying the musical concepts I taught in their lessons. The future looks very bright for both of them. “ A graduate of Boston Conservatory, John joined the Yamaha teaching staff last September. He was recently appointed Chair of the 2012 Bay State Contest in Fitchburg, MA.