DATE: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Recital format by age group)
Where: Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, 17010 Pomerado Rd, San Diego, CA 92128
Fee: $35 The teacher registers and pays online at NSDMTAC.com.
Chair: Olivia Donald, olivia.donald2011@gmail.com
Festival Rules and Guidelines
- This competition is open to pianists of teachers and contributory members of NSDMTAC. All participants must have a signed copy of the MTAC Parent Consent Form 2025 on file before the registration deadline.
- Student limit: 8 students per teacher
- Students will compete in a recital format based upon their age as of May 16, 2026. Proof of age is required. The age divisions and time limits are as follows:
a. Division I (age 9 and under) – 3 minutes
b. Division II (age 10-11) – 4 minutes
c. Division III (age 12-13) – 5 minutes
d. Division IV (age 14-15) – 6 minutes
e. Division V (age 16-18) – 7 minutes - Compositions must be in their original form. No transcriptions, key changes, or arrangements. No unpublished works. The original score is required to give to the judges. If the piece is a little longer than the time limit, the judges will stop the student when the time limit is up.
- Only one movement is to be played. Memorization is required.
- A First, Second, and Third place and possibly Honorable Mentions will be awarded for each Division at the judges’ discretion and will be posted at the end of the day and on the website. Awards and judges’ comments given to the teachers at a later date.
- Judges’ decisions are final.
- We would love to have any teachers who have students participate volunteer for one recital.
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Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2025 Sonata/Sonatina Festival. We appreciate all of the teachers who had their students participate. Thank you to RB Community Presbyterian Church for hosting us and for our judges Lee Galloway and Jane Park. Below are the award winners for each division.
Division I: 1st place – Claire Li; 2nd place – Sophie Shi; 3rd place – Ethan Xu; Honorable Mention – Nathan Wang
Division II: 1st place – Ray Fu; 2nd place (tie) – Elena Song and Aden Jung; 3rd place – Benjamin Sun
Division III: 1st place – Sahil Nath; 2nd place – Ryan Sadrabadi; 3rd place – Claire Ding
Division IV: 1st place – Daryn Tarasewicz; 2nd place – Luna Zhao; 3rd place – Kathy Xu; Honorable Mention – Gabriella Siu
Division V: 1st place – Yunchen Gao; 2nd place – Rika Ogiwara; 3rd place – Linda Yu; Honorable Mention – Kenzo Compilati