Topeka, Kan. – Washburn University sophomore Adriel Holloway won first prize/gold medal at the Kansas Music Teacher Association (KMTA) Collegiate Piano Competition in the freshman/sophomore division Oct. 29. The piano competitions had three categories - freshman/sophomore, junior/senior and graduate. Each winner received $100, a medal and certificate. The competition was open to any piano student studying at a university or college in the state of Kansas. The University of Kansas hosted the annual competition in Swarthout Recital Hall.
Each contestant was required to perform a minimum of two contrasting works by two composers and was allowed to perform for 15 minutes. All music was performed by memory. Holloway’s program consisted of “Dumka, Op. 59” by Peter I. Tchaikovsky and “Pour les quartes” from “Etudes, Book 1” by Claude Debussy.
Holloway is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in performance, with an emphasis in piano. She is studying piano with Dr. Lucy Tan, director of keyboard studies and lecturer of applied piano at Washburn University. She is the recipient of a prestigious honors piano scholarship at Washburn. Previous honors include winning the TMTA College Scholarship Award and participating in the high school division of the Washburn Aria and Concerto competition. Holloway is an active member of the Washburn Piano & Organ Society, a student organization. She is also a student-athlete on the Washburn University track and field team, specializing in throwing the shot put. She volunteered at Washburn’s PianoFest 2022 and served as a collegiate adjudicator for Washburn Piano Day 2023.
Holloway has been studying piano for many years. Prior to her education at Washburn, she was a piano student of Topeka piano teacher Veda Journagan and then took additional private lessons with Tan beginning in her senior year of high school.
“I’m so proud of Adriel and I really enjoy seeing all her hard work pay off by winning this competition,” said Tan. “Washburn University is fortunate to have talented young individuals like Adriel in the department of music and theatre. We encourage all young musicians to audition and study with our acclaimed faculty and have high-caliber performance and competition opportunities.”
Scholarship Opportunities for Students
The Washburn University department of music and theatre scholarship audition dates are Feb. 3, March 2 and April 13. Interested students can register here: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/arts-sciences/music/audtion-registration-form.html
Washburn Piano Academies for Young Performers
Tan and the Washburn University department of music and theatre host several major events for pre-college pianists throughout the year. Save the date for Washburn Piano Day Feb. 25, 2024. The highest scoring piano performances from Washburn Piano Day will be showcased in a gala concert sponsored by the Washburn Piano & Organ Society April 12, 2024, in White Concert Hall. Student participants receive free t-shirts, certificates and award ribbons.
The Washburn Summer Keyboard Academy will be July 22-26, 2024. This is a summer camp for young pianists and organists grades 6-12 who are seeking to further their skills in the art of keyboard playing and music knowledge, take lessons with expert faculty and have fun playing musical games and other social activities.
Learn more about Washburn’s piano camps and festivals by visiting https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/arts-sciences/music/camps-workshops.html
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For further information, contact:
Joy Bailes
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Office: 785-670-2153
Cell: 785-230-1648
Email: joy.bailes@washburn.edu
