Moon Magnet Student Wins First Place at the Rocky Mountain Accordion Society Piano Competition
We're thrilled to share some big news from the Moon Magnet Music School family: Amelia took first place in the Royalty Category, Primer Division, at the Rocky Mountain Accordion Society Piano Competition!
Amelia, who studies piano with her teacher Bella, performed "My Little Chiminea" and impressed the judges enough to bring home the top prize. It's exactly the kind of moment that makes teaching music worth it seeing a student put in the work, step onto a stage, and shine.
Four Students on Stage
Amelia wasn't the only Moon Magnet Music School piano student to perform that day. Four students represented the school at this year's competition, each bringing something different to the stage.
Esther, who studies with her piano teacher Mars, competed in two categories: performing "Little Black Cat" by Martha Mier in the Royalty Category Prep Division, and "Lovely" by Billie Eilish and Khalid in the Optional Category. Taking on two categories at a competition is no small thing, and Esther handled both with confidence.
David, also a student of Mars, performed an original composition called "David's Song" in the Optional Category. Writing and then performing your own music in a competition setting takes a particular kind of bravery, and David stepped up. A special thanks to Mars for helping arrange David’s song!
Juliana, who studies with her piano teacher Marty, performed a full program of four pieces: "Ode to Joy" (Beethoven), "Musette" (Bach), "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (Weiss et al.), and "Puff the Magic Dragon" (Peter Yarrow). That's an impressive range for any pianist, performing classical to folk to pop, all in one sitting.
Every student who performed came home with a trophy, and every one of them earned it.
The Founder Got Up There Too
Our founder and creative director Reed performed as well. Reed played accordion, performing the theme song from Hayao Miyazaki's Kiki's Delivery Service. He's been participating in the Rocky Mountain Accordion Society competition since 2024, and he enjoys it every year!
Why Piano Competitions Are Worth It for Kids
At Moon Magnet Music School, winning first place isn’t our focus. We care most about students falling in love with music. But piano competitions like the Rocky Mountain Accordion Society's offer something valuable that weekly lessons alone can't.
When students know they'll perform a piece for judges on a specific date, their focus sharpens in a way that's hard to replicate otherwise. Performing under pressure builds confidence that carries into school presentations, auditions, and everyday life. And hearing other young musicians perform gives students a sense of what's possible and a community beyond their own lessons.
Whether a student walks away with first place or simply the experience of having performed, they leave a stronger musician than they arrived.
Congratulations to All Our Performers
A huge congratulations to Amelia on the first-place win, and to Esther, David, Juliana, and Reed for getting on stage and performing beautifully. And a shout-out to their piano teachers: Bella, Mars, and Marty for the preparation and encouragement that made this possible.
Interested in Piano Lessons in Denver?
Moon Magnet Music School has been part of Denver's music community since 2013, with around 25 teachers across the city serving more than 100 students of all ages and levels. Whether your child dreams of competing or just wants to learn their favorite songs, we'd love to meet them.
Learn more about piano lessons in Denver →