Dear EMTA Teachers,

THANK YOU for your participation in the 2026 Music Era Festival! Our adjudicator had a wonderful time listening to and working one on one with so many talented and enthusiastic young pianists.

The Gold Seals recognize students who demonstrated outstanding artistry, dedication, and musical growth. These pianists showed refinement in their performances, a strong commitment to their repertoire, and the hard work that goes into preparing music at a high level. Congratulations to all the teachers whose students received Gold Seals! It is wonderful to see your students grow, shine, and share their love of music.

Gold Medals were awarded to students who demonstrated exceptional nuance, musical expression, and performance quality, with minimal errors in memory or execution.

Best of Festival selections recognized students whose performances were especially memorable, moving, or inspiring to the adjudicator.

Thank you again for sharing your students with us and for all the time, care, and dedication you invest in their musical journeys. We are so happy to celebrate their accomplishments with you!

Below are the Medal and Best of Festival decisions presented forth by Jeffrey Gilliam:

Gold Medal Certificate Winners:
Aiden Yang (teacher: Allan Park)
Elise Chan (teacher: Yelena Balabanova)
Nathan Flowers (teacher: Allan Park)
Aisha Beydoun (teacher: Yelena Balabanova)
Chloe Nari Wang (teacher: Allan Park)
Daniel Luan (teacher: Allan Park)
Perrie Yu Yan Lam (teacher: Yelena Balabanova)
Lydia Thomas ( teacher: Laurie McFarland)
Anna Paust (teacher: Allan Park)
Bell Jiang (teacher: Allan Park)
Chloe Mergler (teacher: Marie Wollam-Mergler)
Radmila Sabirova (teacher: Yelena Balabanova)
Nathan Flowers and Lillian Flowers (teacher: Allan Park)
Mayumi Ohara (teacher: Yelena Balabanova)
Wenfei Mu (teacher: Yelena Balabanova)

Best of Festival Winners to perform at annual Gala in June:
Raymond Zhou (teacher: Yelena Balabanova)
Miyako Berman (teacher: Yelena Balabanova)
Lucas Chen (teacher: Allan Park)
Jimmy Huang (teacher: Yelena Balabanova)
Joyce Ye (teacher: Yelena Balabanova)
Isabel Yang (teacher: Allan Park)
Caiden Kim and Chloe Kim (teacher: Allan Park)
Bell Jiang and Brandon Osckar (teacher: Allan Park)

Congratulations to all the students and teachers who participated this year.

Thank you.

Allan Park, EMTA Music Era Festival Director