June 2026 Students of the Month

Kenny T.

"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 M.

"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.

Sahasra K.

"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 V.

"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.