Sarah Payne
Teacher at Lawrence Central High School, regarding her experience with Concerto Curriculum during the 2009 Classical Fellowship Awards

“The orchestra students at LC, as well as all of the performing arts students, had a very positive experience by performing and working with Igor Lovchinsky. Many of the students had never performed a concerto before, and it was a wonderful musical experience for them. Igor performed during the school day for the orchestra students and piano classes. Students from the choir and band room even came over upon hearing him play and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to hear someone as talented as Igor perform. The performance itself had the largest audience any LC Orchestra concert has seen in years, and many adults were thrilled to have the opportunity to hear their children perform with such a fabulous musician. Students and parents both still talk about the performance and how impressed they were and how they hope to hear another such concert in the future. We currently have piano classes for students who have never had the experience of learning a musical instrument before, and Igor was able to perform for these students. Igor took requests, including familiar melodies such as themes from “the Mario bros.” video games, and other melodies that students were able to recognize and relate to. Igor also performed classical music which the students had been studying in their piano classes, and some of the students even performed some of their literature for Igor. It was a very exciting experience for the students, and one that they still talk about today.”

Laura Payne
Teacher at Heritage Christian School, regarding her experience with Concerto Curriculum during the 2009 Classical Fellowship Awards

“This program had a VERY positive effect on our orchestra and the students at our school.  In fact, it was a high bar set for us at the beginning of the year and a wonderful musical experience.   Elizabeth was easy to work with and encouraging of the students in rehearsals and the master class. After Elizabeth’s performance for the elementary students, the elementary art teacher had students draw a picture of something that came to mind as they listened to Elizabeth.  They had wonderful pictures of animals and music notes and flying pianos.  She really inspired their imaginations.  Comments after the high school chapel included, ‘Thank you so very much for chapel today.  Your passion and commitment to excellence is inspiring.  The music was life-giving to me!’  With my advanced students today, I'm stressing the benefit of appreciating a variety of art forms.  I was surprised how few have attended a classical music concert!”

Leslie Bartolowits
Teacher at Broad Ripple High School, regarding her experience with Concerto Curriculum during the 2009 Classical Fellowship Awards

“Each time that we have been asked to host a Fellow has been an exciting time in our school year!  Whether the program happened to occur in the fall or winter, my semester’s programming was based on the residency and the type of music presented.  This year’s residency made a huge impact on my students and audience attendance at other performances during the year. Since Michael visited us in September, we established a musical reputation with the school and community that has been continually strengthened and solidified with each of our subsequent concerts.  We have enjoyed the accolades and positive feedback, to this day, from people that participated in and experienced Michael’s enthusiasm and love of music that has been transferred to everyone fortunate enough to experience his residency!” One of the classes that I teach is a beginning piano class. For the past two years, I have had the opportunity to teach special needs students in that class.  When Michael was conducting one of his master classes/presentations, I invited a small group of moderately/profoundly handicapped students to enjoy the presentation.  At the conclusion of the presentation, one of the students indicated by motions that he wanted to see and play the piano.  As he was playing the keys and listening to Michael demonstrate some sounds, he said the word “piano”.  This is one of the first words that he has ever spoken!  He was truly moved by and never will forget Michael’s presence and compassion!”

Jeremy Siskind
2007 Jazz Fellowship Awards Finalist

"The way that I was treated - playing at great venues, always having beautiful pianos, having a big band arrangement commissioned for me and a great rhythm section available to me - is so rare in this day an age that I was somewhat stunned and fairly elated to receive this kind of treatment...I feel refreshed, optimistic, and inspired coming away from the competition week. In a world where people view going to a concert as akin to swallowing a pill, the APA experience let me know that there are people who care, there are people who enjoy music, and there are people who are listening. What a difference that makes to a young artist's outlook!"

Ben Roe
Former Director of Music – National Public Radio

“I have always admired the APA, and been struck by the uncommon and distinctive artistry they have discovered in their Fellows…each one seems to have an approach, understanding and appreciation for the keyboard music they play that is all too rare in these days of cookie‐cutter, by‐the‐numbers performances.”

Mark Wait
Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University

“Nobody does more than the American Pianists Association to nurture the nation’s most outstanding young pianists, to develop their careers, and to bring them to the attention of the public. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.”

Jerome Lowenthal
Juilliard School of Music

“APA has brought to its choice of winners the same qualities it looks for in those winners: intelligence, imagination and uncompromising artistic standards. In doing so, it has raised the level of American pianism.”