About Alexia

She has been playing the piano since the age of four and has loved the instrument ever since. She has competed in many competitions such as the Bach Festival in 2005, the Sonatina/Sonata Competition from 2004-2006, and the Contemporary Festival in 2006. She will continue to compete in all of them and in other competitions still to come. She was the youngest finalist in the Bach Festival; she won 3rd place and honorable mentions in the Sonatina Competitions; and she was one of the few winners of the Contemporary Festival. She has also participated in the Certificate of Merit exam for theory and performance since the age of six and has received high scores on each of her tests. In 2006, she earned a perfect score on her theory exam as well as the highest score possible on her performance. On average, she practices an hour each day.

Hobbies

Tennis, swimming and has enjoyed taking ballet lessons in the past. Alexia loves baking cookies with her mother, eating ice cream with her two brothers, and helping her dad with the crossword puzzles.

Question of the Month

What are your most creative and successful practice strategies?

Concentration is Key!

By concentrating on what I have to do, I can successfully apply all of the other techniques such as; slow work, metronome work, and relaxing.

Staying focused makes me remember the piece that I am playing as well as all of the dynamics, phrasing, and speeds in the piece. Concentrating is essential to practicing. Without it, merely practicing would just be a waste of time.

Favorite Song to Play

Alexia's favorite composer is Bach, but she can’t choose one particular piece. She does like Bach Sonatinas, though.