“Tomi is bright and eager, and it makes me so happy that he takes the tunes he learns and makes them his own, ready to play them at the drop of a hat!” — Mr. Gordon

"I’m truly honored to be chosen as Student of the Month. Mr. Gordon is the best piano teacher I’ve ever had. Since I started taking lessons with him, I’ve made more progress than ever before. He makes learning both fun and motivating, and I always look forward to our lessons. I love playing the piano in my free time and enjoy learning new pieces. Thank you Mr. Gordon." — Tomi B. ​

"Amukta is nominated for student of the month for her remarkable consistency, kindness, and positive spirit. As my first student every Saturday morning, she always arrives ready to learn and has never once said no to a challenge. She asks thoughtful questions, takes notes, and approaches technical work like scales, arpeggios, shifting, and bowing exercises with focus and determination. Amukta’s confidence has grown beautifully, and her maturity, curiosity, and joyful attitude make her an absolute pleasure to teach." — Mr. Ivan

​"I am very honored to be an Orpheus student of the month, and I would like to thank my violin teacher, Mr. Ivan, for this nomination. Mr. Ivan has helped me improve greatly over the past few months; he always helps me advance my technical skills and gives great advice, all while making me laugh. Thank you for making Saturday mornings something I can look forward to! I would also like to thank my friends and family for always supporting me; without you, this wouldn't be possible!" — Amukta G.

"Hazel is wise beyond her years. Every week Hazel comes into the lesson with something new. Whether it's a new piece she's writing, licks from a rock song she heard, or a teacher part she's learned (but not assigned) from the duets we're working on, it's always done stylishly and with great enthusiasm. It has been a pleasure working with her and watching her grow as a musician." — Mr. Asa

​"My name is Hazel. I practice guitar. I have been practicing guitar for almost a year. I love guitar cause you get to experience different styles of music. My guitar teacher, Mr. Asa, helps me learn different kinds of songs and notes. I look forward to learning songs and getting better at guitar." — Hazel P.

"Aadya has made continuous progress in her piano studies and successfully completed Musical Journey Level 3 this year. She is not only a wonderful piano student but also a talented young composer. Last December, she attended a composition masterclass with Edmund Jolliffe, where she demonstrated both creativity and enthusiasm for music through her work. I am incredibly proud to be her piano teacher and look forward to seeing her continue to grow as both a pianist and a composer." — Ms. Faith

​"I’m very happy that I have been chosen as a student of the month at Orpheus. I’m also very grateful to Ms. Faith who taught me all these wonderful songs which motivated me to make my own compositions. I’m gonna keep on doing my best at Orpheus." — Aadya N.

"Margaret is a hard worker in her cello lessons and a team player in her chamber ensembles. Her love of music is contagious, and her curiosity helps her overcome any challenge she sets her mind to. Her spirit of patience, curiosity, and collaboration exemplifies the values that make Orpheus such a special community of young musicians." — Mr. Ender

​”It feels like a great accomplishment to be recognized in my musical journey for my hard work and effort, and I look forward to advancing my musical abilities." — Margaret H.

"Anika is very dedicated and always eager to learn new skills. She has made tremendous progress on guitar and always shows up prepared to get better each week. It is a joy to teach her and learn about her passions and big plans for the future!" — Mr. Andrew

​"I’m very thankful to be nominated as a student of the month. I enjoy learning to play the guitar and always look forward to my lessons with Mr. Andrew. It’s been really fun learning new songs and techniques, and I’m very grateful to have such a supportive and talented teacher. I’m excited to continue improving!" — Anika H.

"Daphne has been tearing through guitar music this year. She has almost completed her third method book and first sight reading book at just 10. She decided to grow her nails out (like a pro) and because of this has an incredible free stroke tone and effortless technique. All this is because she is a consistent practicer and makes the choice every day to pursue excellence. Keep it up, Daphne!" — Mr. Stephen

"I have enjoyed learning guitar with Mr. Stephen. He always encourages me to stay motivated even when I don't want to keep going. I am excited to continue my musical journey at Orpheus and expand my knowledge on guitar. I believe my playing has improved over the years and I look forward to learning more complicated songs and techniques with Mr. Stephen." — Daphne A.

"I’m pleased to nominate Meena as a student of the month for July! Meena brings a lot of positive energy and joy to her voice lessons. She is committed to practicing at home and is eager to learn new things in every lesson. Her hard work and dedication have led to significant musical growth since she joined my studio earlier this year, including completion of the Musical Journey Level 1 program. It is a joy to be part of Meena’s pursuit of music knowledge and singing skills!" — Ms. Terri

​"I always wanted to be a singer since I was 3 years old. I like to make up songs and then I sing them. I love to practice singing every day and simply sing. I like to sing songs when I am bored because I get entertained. I like to find lyrics to songs that I sing, and whatever comes to mind I just sing it." — Meena M.

"Kenny has been my student for about 10 years and is playing and practicing piano absolutely amazingly! Even though he has moved away and our lessons are on Zoom, Kenny re-watches our recorded lessons afterwards and practices diligently! He is also developing pedal technique, even over Zoom! Over these last few years, his tenacity and sensitivity, as the pieces become more sophisticated, has been a joy to watch! He is really coming into his own with his piano, and that is something he will have with him forever! This summer he will do a Musical Journey Level 6 concert via Zoom, and it is sure to be a triumph! Congratulations, Kenny!!" — Mrs. Skye

​"My name is Kenny, and I like taking piano classes at Orpheus Academy of Music. I started learning to play the piano when I lived in Austin, TX, and I now live in California and continue my lessons via Zoom. My teacher Mrs. Skye makes my lessons fun. My current favorite pieces to play are The Dragon Hunt and Shave and a Haircut." — Kenny T.

"Nina is an incredibly talented singer who has excelled in her Musical Journey. During each lesson, I am impressed by how quickly she learns new concepts. She has been happy to take on new challenges of creating Orff accompaniments to some of her songs and practices until she can confidently sing and play at the same time. She has pushed past any nervousness or anxiety to participate in several of the recitals, and the audience is always thrilled by her beautiful voice. I look forward to creating music with Nina each week, and I am honored to guide her as she continues to learn new skills." — Ms. Deborah

​"I’m really proud to be a student of the month. I enjoy singing and I admire it. I love the way that I get better on projecting my voice and how I learn from my mistakes. It is a beautiful skill for me. And it feels like a river that never ends this skill." — Nina M.

"Over the past year and a half, Sahasra has shown both growth and dedication to playing the violin. From auditioning into multiple youth orchestras, to performing throughout the community, to founding her own orchestra at school and conducting an ensemble, Sahasra’s initiative and leadership deserves recognition. Thank you for being such an inspiring student at Orpheus!" — Mr. Dean

​“Thank you so much for nominating me as a student of the month at Orpheus! I’m grateful for the recognition and for Mr. Dean’s guidance, that helps me grow. This motivates me to keep practicing and learning.” — Sahasra K.

"Smaya is a joy to work with, and I couldn't be more proud of all the progress she has made this year. Smaya always brings positive, energetic energy to our lessons and takes learning new skills in stride. Most recently, Smaya has gotten into composing her own music, and is currently working on creating her own composition book for her Level 3 musical journey project - how cool! I've enjoyed listening to all the amazing ideas she has and being able to see her creativity really shine through piano. Well done, Smaya!" — Ms. Cicely

​"I feel really happy and proud to be chosen as a student of the month. I’ve been working hard on my piano and especially enjoy creating my own music. Composing has been really fun, and I love sharing my ideas through it. Thank you for supporting me on my musical journey! — Smaya V.

"Malini has made amazing progress this past year. Since her parents gave her a new upright piano she has been much more motivated to practice and her hand shape has improved significantly. She is also playing much more musically and with greater sound." — Mr. Mauricio

"I am so happy to be a student of the month! I love playing piano so much. Mr. Mauricio is a very good teacher." — Malini S.

"Mila works very hard and is a talented piano student, who is making amazing progress. Mila has a positive, cheerful attitude and is well-prepared for her piano lessons. She is making rapid progress in all aspects of piano playing—note reading, technique, and musical expression. Also, Mila is an eager participant in many opportunities offered at Orpheus, including solo recitals, Friendship Concerts, and the Musical Journey program. I’m very excited to celebrate the progress that Mila is making at Orpheus! Bravo, Mila!" — Dr. Ruth

​"I enjoy progressing every week. Ms. Ruth inspires me to play better and is an amazing teacher. I feel very lucky to be at Orpheus and I love playing the piano so much.” — Mila K.

"Joshua has been a star student since the very first lesson! He consistently arrives well prepared and brings a wonderful enthusiasm for learning new pieces. Joshua shows a genuine interest in his violin playing and approaches each lesson with focus, curiosity, and a positive attitude. It is truly a joy to teach him and to watch how quickly he understands and applies new musical concepts. I am continually impressed by his fast progress and dedication, and I look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish in the future. Keep up the great work, Joshua!" — Ms. Paula

​“I really love to play the violin. Ms. Paula is the best teacher. She always challenges me to get better. I can’t wait to perform in the next recital.” — Joshua F.

"Timothy is a remarkable piano student whose genuine love for music, impressive discipline, and strong focus on improvement are the keys to his accomplishments. I also want to thank his family and friends for their incredible support and dedication to his musical journey." — Dr. Leonardo

“I appreciate being chosen as a student of the month by Mr. Leonardo. I am really happy. I want to be better and learn more piano.” — Timothy L.

"Caleb is a ball of energy and always shows for his lessons with joy and laughter. He has progressed so well over the last 2 years and has played beautifully in recitals, most recently the Friendship Concert. I always look forward to our lessons and I'm excited for the progress we will make together in the future." — Mr. Jesse

​"I feel honored to be named Student of the Month. The reason I enjoy playing the guitar is its ability to produce a wide range of notes. My goal is to earn the final trophy at Orpheus Academy, so that I can learn the electric guitar." — Caleb C.

"Gibson has demonstrated remarkable consistency in his musical growth over the past several months. Through steady practice, focused engagement in lessons, and a willingness to embrace challenges, he has shown clear and continuous progress in both technical skill and musical understanding. His enthusiasm is especially evident in his growing interest in composition. Gibson eagerly experiments with musical ideas, explores creative expression, and takes pride in developing his own original works. His curiosity and genuine joy in creating music bring a positive energy to every lesson." — Ms. Ziwei

​"I’m glad to be recognized as a Student of the Month! I started playing the piano as my parents wanted me to start practicing an instrument and they, along with my great and friendly teacher Ms. Ziwei, have been with me every step of the way. Piano has been a great journey with Ms. Ziwei and I’m sure it will keep being a great journey. Thank you!" — Gibson R.

"Rishi has been diligently practicing and has made significant progress in both his reading skills and technique. Recently, he has also discovered a joy in performing in front of others, which has been wonderful to see. His confidence and musical growth have truly stood out. I am so proud of Rishi and feel privileged to watch him grow into such a dedicated young musician." — Ms. Jeyeon

​"I am very happy to be one of the students of the month. Ms. Jeyeon teaches me piano by singing and playing the song first, showing me where to end, and teaching me how to play it myself. I am very proud of this recognition and look forward to more musical opportunities in the future." — Rishi S.

"Sofia is a deeply sensitive, musical, and creative student whose piano journey has been truly special to witness. She approaches music with imagination, curiosity, and strong dedication. Sofia brings joy to every lesson with her sweet personality and her love of sharing music with others. Since joining my studio, Sofia’s growth has been truly remarkable. She has performed in masterclass and piano festival, delivering expressive, nuanced, and deeply musical performances. I am so proud to see her dedication and continued development, and I look forward to witnessing her further growth as a musician." — Ms. Yaci

​"I am greatly honored to be nominated for student of the month. I’ve had a fun time with Ms. Yaci in class. She is very encouraging and helps me to push myself and go for challenging pieces. Thank you to Ms. Yaci for helping me to grow musically and personally." — Sofia M.

"AnnaSophia has studied piano with me for almost seven years. It has been a pleasure to teach her and to make music together. She is always eager to learn new pieces, challenge herself, and stretch her skills far beyond what is expected. She loves music and has participated in many performances and Musical Journey projects. Last summer, she completed her Musical Journey Level 5 solo concert and earned her trophy. I am very proud of her hard work and can’t wait to see all that she achieves in the future!" — Ms. Jae-Eun

"I am thankful to be selected student of the month. Ms. Jae-Eun is a great teacher and I have learned so much from her. I am excited to continue learning piano at Orpheus." — AnnaSophia V.

"It’s not just that Isla is eager for music; it’s also that she is courageous, always willing to tackle the challenge. This is, of course, what it takes to make the ascent to musical Parnassus! I feel that she will always have that courage." — Mr. Gordon

"Since I started at Orpheus my piano playing has gotten a lot better. I am always excited to learn a new piece even if it looks really hard. I always try my best when I am learning a new piece. I’m always ready to defeat a challenge." — Isla N.

"Aaradhya has consistently been a diligent piano practitioner, arriving fully prepared for every lesson. Last December, she excelled in passing the Musical Journey Level 1 test and finished her final project. I am really proud of her. Keep up the great work, Aaradhya!" — Ms. Kelly

“Thank you Ms. Kelly for choosing me as a student of the month. I love coming to your class as you teach me with patience until I play the notes perfectly. Daily practice made me feel confident and pass through the level 1 test. Thank you!“ — Aaradhya V.

"Prem K is nominated for Student of the Month for his outstanding dedication to practicing and performing. He consistently comes to lessons prepared, shows strong focus during class, and applies feedback to improve his skills. His commitment, steady progress, and confident performances clearly reflect the qualities of a Student of the Month." — Mr. Nikola

"I like playing guitar, and I will continue playing it no matter what! My favorite guitar players are Pepe Romero, Andrés Segovia, Paco de Lucía, and my guitar teacher Mr. Nikola. My favorite composer, whose music I like to play most, is Ferdinando Carulli. I also like Orpheus Academy a lot!" — Prem K.

"I’m so excited to nominate Astrid for Student of the Month! Her progress this semester has been truly astonishing — even though she has always been such a strong, reliable student. This time, something really clicked. Her chamber music skills especially stood out and one of my favorite things this semester was seeing how genuinely excited she became about learning the classical music she loves. Watching her light up and really connect with the pieces has been such a joy for me as a teacher. I’m so proud of her hard work, positive attitude, and beautiful musicianship. Astrid absolutely deserves this recognition!" — Ms. Yujung

​"I am so excited to be nominated student of the month by Ms. Yujung! Every week after my lesson with her, I feel that my musical knowledge has grown. Ms. Yujung has had a huge impact on me and inspires me to become a better musician. Thanks for being an AMAZING teacher, Ms. Yujung!" — Astrid M.

"Miles just passed his Level 2 Musical Journey test with flying colors and gave a holiday-themed house concert to earn his Level 2 trophy! I'm especially proud of how Miles is always excited to take on new challenges, and I look forward to his continued success!" — Mr. Byron

​“I’m so happy to be a student of the month. I love to learn new songs and new scales. Mr. Byron is really good at playing guitar and teaching me how to get better. I’m glad he’s my teacher because he is funny and nice.”  — Miles G.

"Chaitra is student of the month because of her consistent hard work and growth as a musician! She just completed her Kinder Musical Journey recital at Orpheus and beautifully memorized and performed eight songs. She turned five this fall and has demonstrated fantastic musicianship skills given her young age. She brings forward curiosity, a positive attitude, and eagerness to learn at each and every lesson. She has incredible musical aptitude and potential as a pianist and I can’t wait to see her growth continue!" — Ms. Madeline

​"Thank you so much, Ms. Madeline! I feel very happy and proud to be the Student of the Month. I really enjoy learning new songs and playing the piano each week. Thank you for teaching me and helping me learn more. I am excited to play many new songs." — Chaitra K.

"Rishaan is a very smart and enthusiastic student who has shown a lot of determination since the beginning of his piano lessons. He loves to be challenged and he not only succeeds in those challenges, he goes even further, showing eagerness to learn more and to play more. Well done, Rishaan, I am very excited to see what would come from this path that you have started so strong!" — Mrs. Dalia

​"I feel really happy and proud to be chosen as Student of the Month. I love learning piano and trying new challenges because it helps me get better. Thank you to Mrs. Dalia and the school for supporting me—I’m excited to keep learning and playing more piano!" — Rishaan C.

"Nicholas is 6 years old and has been taking piano lessons at Orpheus since February 2025. During these short 10 months, Nicholas has already learned over 20 songs which he enjoys singing and playing! He also loves to experiment with different instrument sounds on his electric piano. In October, Nicholas performed 2 songs with his Dad at our annual "Halloween Spooktacular" concert. Like many of us, he was nervous before he went on stage, but he did it anyway and was very proud and successful! I am very proud to nominate Nicholas for the Student of the Month!!" — Mrs. Wendy

​"We have really enjoyed seeing Nicholas experience joy learning and playing the piano! Mrs. Wendy has worked hard finding songs and ideas to draw him in, and he looks forward to his lessons. We're excited to watch his musical skills and experience continue to develop and take him wherever he wants to go!" — Nicholas's parents

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Olivia since she was just a baby and her parents would bring her to her brother Theo's lessons back in 2019. She started lessons herself at the young age of four and has been studying for just over two years now and is doing AMAZING! At just six years old she can play dozens of songs, loves to perform on stage and in front of a camera and is quite a good composer as well. She plays chords and sings, reads and writes music and plays the guitar with such exceptional tone, rhythm and expression that she often sounds like a student many years older than she is. I know Olivia will go on to do amazing things in music and in the world!" — Dr. Klondike

​“Thank you Mr. Klondike for teaching me songs and new notes. My favorite part about music, or I should say playing guitar, is making silly songs and videos. I also like doing the music classes with Ms. Jae-Eun. I love all the teachers at Orpheus!” — Olivia H.

"Caroline has been working incredibly hard and staying wonderfully motivated in her guitar practice. She never turns down a performance opportunity, and her dedication was truly evident in her Spooktacular recital performance. We always have so much fun exploring her favorite songs together, and I’m continually inspired by her determination and genuine love for the guitar. I’m so proud of her growth and excited to see where her musical journey takes her next!" — Ms. Gema

​"I started playing guitar a few years ago. I love playing and I'm always so sad when I can't go. I also look forward to my next song." — Caroline K.

"Ilan has been diligently preparing for his first Musical Journey test and first Friendship Concert performance. I have been so impressed with his wristband milestone achievements; he would not accept the wristband until he was confident in his mastery of the concept. This maturity and his love of the guitar will take him very far. Keep up the great work!" — Mr. Jeremy

​“Ilan has been working diligently for his musical journey at Orpheus. Mr. Jeremy has been very patient and creative with his teaching approach. Ilan has been very grateful for the opportunity and thankful to his teacher. Thank you again to all the staff at Orpheus for a pleasant and fun learning experience.” — Ilan's parents

"Afton has been taking piano with me for several years and consistently shows a deep love for music. I love her determination, attention to detail, and willingness to be challenged every week. She is becoming a wonderful pianist and an overall excellent musician; I am incredibly proud of all her hard work and look forward to seeing her continue to grow!" — Ms. Gloria

​"I am very excited to be chosen as student of the month! I love playing piano and Ms. Gloria has made it an even better experience for me over the years. One of my favorite parts about learning piano has definitely been being able to play so many different types and varieties of music as well as performing in the friendship concerts. Ms. Gloria always lets me choose lots of the songs I play, and I love how much I am able to learn to become a better musician from her." — Afton B.

"Julia is a thoughtful and dedicated student whose diligence and musical curiosity continually inspire me. Working with her and exploring new repertoire together has been both joyful and refreshing. She has accomplished so much over the past year, not only completing the Musical Journey tests and projects, but also performing in Orpheus recitals and at her school’s own events. I am very proud of her and deeply grateful to witness her growth and blossoming artistry as a young pianist." — Ms. Faith

​“I’m very thankful that Ms Faith has chosen me for student of the month! She makes all of our lessons together fun and enjoyable while still teaching me so much. Sometimes it can be hard to practice on my own between school and other activities, but my weekly lessons with Ms. Faith remind me how much I enjoy piano. I’m looking forward to learning even more and continuing on my musical journey!” — Julia S.

"Audrey and I have been working together for three years now and it is such a pleasure to have her in my studio! She is a hard worker with beautiful musicality. Also, she diligently takes notes of all the details she needs to practice, which is why she sounds better and better every day. She is also playing first violin in our string ensemble. Keep up the good work, Audrey!" — Ms. Maria

​"Audrey has grown so much through learning how to play violin! She enjoys expressing emotions through the music as well as developing discipline for daily practice. She is excited about joining an ensemble for the first time as well as starting to learn vibrato. We are so thankful to Ms. Maria for her patience and guidance along the way!" — Audrey T.'s mom

"Liam has been such an outstanding student since the very beginning, and he continues to impress me every week. He has an incredible sense of humor, lots of determination, and huge love for music. It's really inspiring seeing such a young musician care tremendously about details like legato playing from such an early age. Great work, Liam. It's an honor to teach you, and I look forward to every lesson we have!" — Mr. Brendon

“Hi! I’m Liam and I’m so happy to be the December Student of the Month! I have a big passion for music, and playing guitar is my favorite because I love the sound and the rhythm. Every week I can’t wait to go to my class because I always learn something new. Guitar class with Mr. Brendon is the best part of my week — he’s the best teacher and he makes learning music really fun. He even calls me ‘Legato King.’ Thank you so much, Mr. Brendon, for teaching me, helping me, and for nominating me as Student of the Month. I’m really proud and really grateful!” — Liam A.