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ABOUT THE TEACHER
Olga Diaz is a classically trained musician.
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, she started her
musical studies at the Dalcroze School of
Music when she was 5. At the age of 8, she
began to study piano at the J.M. Olivares
School of Music from where she graduated in
1985 as a Piano Teacher. After finishing
high school, she was admitted in the Faculty
of Medicine of the Universidad Central de
Venezuela from where she obtained the degree
of Medical Doctor in 1991. From 1985 to
1992, she studied piano with the Prof. Bruna
Monestiroli (a graduated from Conservatory
of Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy, as a
student of Alfredo Casella). After working
for two years as a physician, Olga decided
to dedicate the rest of her life to music.
She moved in 1994 to New York City where she
lived for six years. During this time, Olga
obtained a Master of Music
degree in Piano Performance
from the Manhattan School of
Music (2000). She graduated as
a student of Zenon Fishbein (also a graduate
from Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome,
Italy). Afterwards, she studied with Arkady
Aronov (former professor at Rimsky-Korsakov
State Conservatory of Music in Leningrad,
Russia and now piano faculty of Mannes
College and Manhattan School of Music) from
2001-2004.
Olga Diaz has performed as a soloist and as
an accompanist in Caracas and New York. She
performed in: Sala de Conciertos del Ateneo
de Caracas, Sala de Conciertos de la
Universidad Central de Venezuela, Sala de
Conciertos de la Universidad Simón Bolivar,
Teatro de la Comandancia General de la
Aviación, and recorded a program for
National Television with Nabor Zambrano
(Formato Libre) and Radio Nacional with
Cristina Assai (Musical Youth of Venezuela).
In New York City, she performed at Hubbard
Hall, CAMI Hall, and El Museo del Barrio.
Olga lived in Short Hills NJ from 2000 to
2004 where she made a studio of 40 students.
In June, 2004, she moved to Sacramento,
California, where she taught privately in
her home until September, 2006, when she
moved to Walnut Creek.
Olga is affiliated to Music Teacher National
Association, Music Teachers Association of
California (MTAC), California Association of
Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) and
Contra Costa Performing Arts Society.
STUDIO INFORMATION
The goals of the studio are to enrich the
student’s life through the establishment of
effective study habits, the acquisition of
performance skills and the development of a
thorough musical foundation. The studio is
committed to provide the programs that can
benefit students of all ages and abilities.
The Studio is equipped with two pianos:
one Bösendorfer grand and one Schimmel
upright; and a library with music
literature, recordings and reference
materials.
Private lessons are available to students
of all levels starting at age 6. Students
are provided 45 or 60 minutes weekly private
lessons. Learning an instrument is a complex
process that requires individual attention
to many details. For this reason, longer
sessions are recommended to older children
and adults students. Each lesson includes
Scales and Arpeggios, Technique and Classic
Repertoire. To help building a strong
foundation, music theory, aural training and
sight -reading are incorporated to the
lessons.
Students enrolled in the Studio are
required to have an acoustic piano in good
working condition available for practice.
Students are required to practice a minimum
of five days a week.
Students enrolled in the studio have
various exams available on a state,
national, and international level. Students
may participate in:
- ABRSM exams,
sponsored by the Associated Board of
Royal Schools of Music
- Certificate of Merit, Panel,
YAG, Solo and Concerto Competition
sponsored by MTAC
- Contemporary Music Festival,
Concerto Competition, Honor Auditions
and Piano Auditions sponsored
by CAPMT.
- Baroque Festival
and Competitions, Recitals and Master
Classes sponsored by Contra Costa Branch
of Music Teacher Association of
California (CCMTAC).
- Recitals and Master Classes sponsor
by Contra Costa Performing Arts Society
CCPAS.
Students participating in any of these
auditions or exams are required to commit to
a one hour lesson to allow for adequate
coverage of required technique, theory and
repertoire.
A free consultation is offered at the
studio where the potential student’s level
can be ascertained and matters of materials
and scheduling can be addressed.
STUDENTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- SYS Concerto Competition 2007-2008:
- Sacramento Youth Symphony:
- Mozart Piano Concerto No.21 K
467, David Looi pianist, 3/9/2008.
- CCMTAC Baroque Festival 2010:
- Justin Tan, Kana Yamada, and
Yiming Kang received Superior grade
and were awarded Plaque.
- CAPMT “Go for the Gold” Music Festival/Competition 2010 (Sherman Clay,
Roseville):
- Category 1: Kana Yamada (trophy)
- Category 4: Yiming Kang (medal)
- CCMTAC Sonata Contest 2010:
- Kana Yamada: 3rd place (trophy)
- Yiming Kang: 4th place (medal)
- CCMTAC Baroque Festival 2011:
- Kana Yamada received Superior
grade and was awarded plaque;
- Ilana Rubin, Mark Deng, Mai
Weber and Arjun Govindjee were
graded excellent and were awarded
blue ribbon.
- 2011 MTAC piano solo competition:
- Yiming Kang: winner for the
Northern Section in the second age
category.
- 2011 MTAC Convention (Oakland, CA):
- 7/1/2011Theme Recital: Yiming
Kang,
- 7/2/2011 State Competition
Final: Yiming Kang, Second Place
- 2012 CAPMT District V Honor Audition:
- Age Category F: Yiming Kang
Alternate Winner
- 2012 Mondavi Center Young Artist Competition
- First Round, Senior Category:
Yiming Kang
- 2012 Baroque Festival:
- Franklin Ho, Lucas Dandelet, Mai
Weber, Ilana Rubin were awarded
Plaque
- Mark Deng, Justin Tan and Arjun
Govindjee were awarded Blue Ribbon
- 2011-2012 Panel Finalist:
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