For Stevens Point News

STEVENS POINT — Several Stevens Point area students are 2018 recipients of several music awards. These awards were presented earlier this month at an awards ceremony.

All the students study privately with Gail Heywood at Heywood Music Studios.  Heywood Music Studios is a local piano, guitar and voice studio that teaches about 50 students each week. Heywood holds a master’s in music education degree, is a professional musician, and a nationally certified teacher of music.

Heywood, a member of the Music Teachers National Association, also doubles as President of the Stevens Point Area Music Teachers Association, and current Vice-President of the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association.

The first award was the Music Teachers National Association Achievement Award.  The program is designed to help encourage the students in the teacher’s studio to continue their music study and to strive to achieve goals that will help them not only become better musicians but that will enhance their love for and appreciation of music.

The goals included community service projects, advanced music history study, learning pieces from different historical style periods, attending a local fine arts concert, composing a piece of music, conducting research on music history, and fulfilling their personal practice goal objective.  The student/teacher/parent triangle helped to motivate and encourage the student to complete their objectives.

“I was overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm the students had to complete their goals. Several children completed music related service projects in the community events including Neighborhood Table, Emy J’s Christmas concert program, school talent shows, performing in jazz band, and accompanying other students or their church,” said Heywood. “Others mentored younger students, created music games, attended area concerts.  After all, music is meant to be shared, and these young artists are an inspiration to the community. It is inspirational to see these young musicians are using their time, talents and treasures with others.”

The following students are the 2018 recipients of the Music Teachers National Association Achievement Award:  Josh Davis, Matt Davis, Lexi Ford, Kalyn Ford, John Jazdzewski, Benjamin Jore, Ella Solin, Payton Vollendorf, Marissa Williams.

The following students also received awards for their participation in the statewide Wisconsin Music Teachers Association auditions, held this past March:

Josh Davis, Matt Davis, Kalyn Ford, Lexi Ford (200 point plaque), Ben Haemmerle, Lucas Haemmerle (50 point award) Nate Haemmerle,  Arianna Jazdzewski, John Jazdzewski (22 pt. plaque), Benjamin Jore (100 point plaque), Erin Jore, Ben Kovalaske (22 pt. plaque), Ella Solin, Payton Vollendorf (22 point plaque) Marissa Williams.  Alana Caldwell & Lexi Ford also received the High School Achievement Award, presented to students who participate in the statewide auditions all four years of high school as well as the Graduating Senior Award from the Stevens Point Area Music Teachers Association. Payton Vollendorf also competed in the statewide Badger Keyboard Competition, which took place on May 19.

Lexi (Alexis) Ford was awarded the 2018 Outstanding Achievement in Music Study Award.  This award is presented to a student who displays exceptional musicianship qualities, enthusiasm, commitment and is extremely motivated.

Music Teachers National Association is a nonprofit organization of independent and collegiate music teachers committed to furthering the art of music through teaching, performance, composition and scholarly research.  Founded in 1876, Music Teachers National Association is the oldest professional music teacher association in the United States.