On Wednesday, February 13th, ten students from Round Rock ISD performed with The Piano Guys (of YouTube fame) to a sold-out crowd at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) annual convention in San Antonio. The Administrative Director of TMEA invited the Canyon Vista Middle School, Pearson Ranch Middle School, and Westwood High School Orchestras to represent Round Rock ISD and the state of Texas at this important performance. All of the selected performers auditioned, wrote essays, and were interviewed for the opportunity to perform at this high profile concert performance.
The ten students who performed with The Piano Guys at TMEA are:
Sanjana Alluri – Canyon Vista Middle School
Anna Beatty – Westwood High School
Allyson Chu – Pearson Ranch Middle School
Toby Huang – Westwood High School
Peter Kim – Canyon Vista Middle School
Hannah Oh – Canyon Vista Middle School
Joanne Pahng – Canyon Vista Middle School
Sarah Patti – Pearson Ranch Middle School
Aira Angela Raja – Canyon Vista Middle School
Aimee Wang – Pearson Ranch Middle School
The students had the opportunity to rehearse with cellist Steven Sharp Nelson prior to the performance. During this time, they had a chance to talk with him about performing, and to learn about what goes into creating and producing a massive live multimedia performance.
Working with The Piano Guys was an incredible opportunity for our students to have real life experience in the musical performance profession, and also served as a great way to show the music educators of the state of Texas the wonderful work we are doing with our students in Round Rock ISD.