Several Piedmont student-musicians were recognized for their outstanding performances at the California Music Educators Association Bay Area Jazz Combo Festival at Harvey Gunn High School in Palo Alto on January 28. Congratulations to three groups who received the highest-possible rating of ‘Superior.’

Piedmont Middle School 8th Grade Jazz Combo – Raiden Holt, Maximo Miller, Deniz Radzik & Eric Venner

Piedmont High School Jazz Combo 1 – Milo Bakshi, Dorothy Nemeth, Cliff Plimier, Kalyani Spieckerman, Ryan Stokes & Clare Weiss

Piedmont High School Jazz Combo 2 – Miles Antaya, Will Kennedy, Lucas Malecki, Alden Meil, Ryan St. John, Griffin Stein & Logan Watral

The groups were prepared by Jazz Clinician, Kasey Knudsen (left in the photos) and PUSD Instrumental Music Instructor, Dr. Andria Mullan. Kasey is a world class musician and educator. She worked with the students as part of PUSD’s ‘Music Clinician’ program supported by the Piedmont Arts Fund. Each of the groups performed three songs and received a 15-minute clinic with the judges who offered suggestions for improvement.

In addition, PHS sophomore, Clare Weiss was accepted to the All-State Jazz Choir – one of only 18 signers accepted in the entire state of California! Clare submitted an extensive recorded audition in December and was notified of her acceptance over the winter break. The All-State Jazz Choir will rehearse February 16-18 in Fresno as part of the California State Music Educators Conference. The Choir will rehearse with guest conductor, Gaw Vang Williams, and perform a culminating concert that weekend.