Chopin Academy of Music

10/01/2026

Big thanks to all the parents of our Chopin Academy of Music students who made an effort and came to hear talented pianists from all over the US and Canada during the last weekends' Sonare International Piano Competition. We realize it is an effort to go to Seattle downtown-we also go there only for special occasion. This event was a special occasion that does not happen frequently in Seattle: so far it was happening only every two years. Piano lessons are not enough to be really inspired, practicing 30 min a day will not get you to the most exciting repertoire. Coming to hear such great pianists of all ages as last weekend-may elevate motivation for the students to actually do some more practicing and awake some inner passions. Congrats to those parents who did come to the Sonare: you exhibited incredible wisdom and support: we appreciate and now we know you care!

09/29/2026

Lucky students of the studios of Christopher Bowlby, Ross Salvosa and Ivona Kaminska who got to play for these top piano professors: Dr Logan Skelton from University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Dr Alexander Tutunov from the Southern Oregon University.

09/23/2026

Why should parents make the effort to bring their students to hear exceptional young pianists compete at the Sonare International Piano Competition? Why devote part of your weekend—and yes, suffer through the Seattle traffic?

Simply: lessons alone are not enough.

Students need inspiration. They need to hear what is possible. Practicing week after week is important, but sometimes you need to step outside the practice room and recharge your musical motivation.

At Sonare, you can sit in beautiful Benaroya Hall and hear outstanding pianists—from remarkable young talents to students from leading universities and professional artists—competing for top honors. There is simply no substitute for hearing that level of playing live.

And CAM students receive one FREE ticket. So really—what is your excuse? 😊

There is another important reason to come: support our local nonprofit arts organizations. The Seattle International Piano Festival & Competition and its organizers work tremendously hard to bring opportunities like this to our community.

Come support the musicians. Support the people who make these events possible. And most importantly, listen, learn, and get inspired.

Your next practice session may feel very different afterward.

09/21/2026

Dear students of Chopin Academy of Music:

We have happy news for everyone! Studying an instrumental performance is much easier if a student is highly inspired. All this happy inspiration can not come just from lessons: there needs to be outside stimuli as well.
We are happy to provide so many free opportunities for our students!
Please, take advantage of what Chopin Academy of Music offers in the inspiration department: All our students get a free ticket to attend the Sonare International Piano Competition this upcoming weekend: Saturday and Sunday (October 26 and 27). You have a free opportunity to hear the best pianists from all around North American of various ages. The free attendance is only for the Chopin Academy of Music students! On Saturday you may choose to hear very young and excelling pianists: ages 9 and under, 10-13 and 14-18. All can cast their own vote for their favorite performer. These performers fly from all around USA and Canada to play for you!

ON Sunday you may choose to hear collegiate artists, professionals and also a Presidents' Prize Winner in a recital at the beginning of the Award Ceremony. Make a fun trip to Seattle Symphony Hall and create more enthusiasm and inspiration for your children. For particular information on the schedule, please click here: https://www.seattlepianocompetition.org/competition/2026-event/

09/18/2026

How can parents know if their child has a natural inclination for music?

We often hear parents say: “I’m not a musician—I wouldn’t know what to look for.”

You don’t need to be a musician. Just observe your child.

Does your child sing frequently? Pick up a melody from a movie or the radio and hum it later? Tap along with music? Become fascinated when someone plays an instrument? These little behaviors may be early signs that something inside them naturally responds to music.

But there is another important ingredient: exposure.

Children cannot show an interest in something they rarely encounter. Classical music is not a major part of everyday life on TV or even public schools, so parents sometimes have to create those opportunities deliberately.

Play classical music in the car.
Find exciting performances on YouTube or Spotify.
Take your child to a symphony concert.
Visit a piano store and let them explore.
Visit a musical instrument museum (such as Scottsdale Musical Instruments Museum).

Then simply watch their reaction.What captures their attention? What do they want to hear again? Which instrument do they keep returning to?

If you discover that spark, the next step is equally important: choose the first teacher carefully.
The first teacher is the most important teacher: this is where you learn how to move healthy and correctly on the instrument. Go to unqualified school or teacher, and you are loosing all the tuition (even if it is cheap). The chances are you will have to pay for starting over in few years with a qualified teacher who will have to start your child from zero (yes: from zero-again).

In the United States anybody can put a "piano lessons" sign on their front yard. Someone can advertise piano lessons without holding a degree in piano performance or professional teaching credentials. It is totally legal, but of course it is not right.
That puts the responsibility on parents to ask questions.

Look for a teacher with serious training—preferably an advanced degree in the instrument they teach, whether piano, violin, cello, or another specialty. But credentials alone are not everything. Look at the teacher’s track record. Are students progressing? Performing confidently? Earning recognition in auditions, examinations, festivals, or competitions? Because even beginners should be trained correctly.

A child’s first teacher can shape not only how well they learn, but whether they develop a lifelong love of music.

So expose them to classical music.. Observe them. And if you see that spark, give it the best possible chance to grow.
Then they will be happy kids like these on the pics!

09/17/2026

MASTERCLASS EXTRAVAGANZA!

One of the great benefits of being a Chopin Academy of Music student is the opportunity to learn from world-class artists!

Join us on Monday, September 28, 1:30–3:30 PM for masterclasses with:

Dr. Logan Skelton — University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Dr. Alexander Tutunov** — Southern Oregon University

All CAM students are encouraged to attend! Come observe, listen, learn, and be inspired. For our most ambitious students, masterclasses also offer the exceptional opportunity to perform and receive guidance directly from internationally renowned artists. All observes may learn about the sound, the inner meaning, and the history of the pieces.
In program: Rachmaninov Sonata in B flat minor, Prokofiev Sonata No 6, JS Bach: Partita No 5, and more.

This event is open only for Chopin Academy of Music students and faculty.

09/15/2026

Dear ALL STUDENTS and FACULTY: Chopin Academy of Music will have some irregularities in teaching schedules during the SONARE INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION. As a main sponsor we offer our studios as practice rooms for the finalists of SONARE throughout the weekend. We all will host masterclasses with Dr Logan Skelton and Dr Alexander Tutunov after the Sonare International Piano Competition, on Monday Sept 28.

We urge all students to attend the exciting competition events at the Benaroya Hall during that weekend. This is the only event in Seattle area where you can hear live top level students of all ages from all around the North America and from the top level schools and teachers.

We hope to see you there! And you also may vote for your favorite pianists in each category!

09/15/2026

WELCOME TO THE CHOPIN ACADEMY, HELENA AZEVEDO

We are thrilled to welcome Brazilian pianist Helena Azevedo to the Chopin Academy of Music as a Visiting Artist and Instructor!

Helena brings an extraordinary combination of international training, performance experience, and pedagogical expertise. A graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Texas at Austin, she has studied with distinguished pianists including Anton Nel and Greg Allen and performed in masterclasses for legendary artists such as Seymour Bernstein, John Perry, Béla S**i, Nelson Freire, and Arnaldo Cohen.

Her career has taken her from Brazil to stages and institutions across North America, including concerto appearances, competition honors, and years of dedicated teaching. She currently serves on the music faculty at Shoreline Community College.

Helena is also a longtime friend of our musical community, having served as a guest lecturer, performer, and juror for the Seattle International Piano Festival since its early years. We could not be happier to now welcome her into the Chopin Academy family!

Please join us in giving Helena a very warm welcome!

09/10/2026

Its this time of the year: Mr Bach: nothing develops your skills more than Bach' music...

Dr. Ivona Kaminska performs Bach's Fantasia in C minor, BWV 905

08/30/2026

One of the most important aspects of studying at the Chopin Academy of Music is simply developing friendships with peers. This feeling of belonging to a like-minded group of young musicians is critical.

With the great help of Helena Azevedo, we officially started our preparation of duets and solo pieces for our exclusive Chopin Academy concerts in the Carnegie Hall this year. And of course — a lunch in a nearby restaurant was the most fun!

Lots of Bach, duets and laughter — happy piano kids!