Two Council Rock North High School students recently performed solo recitals at Carnegie Hall in New York, making them two of only 24 students from the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York to be selected for this internationally respected Dr. Andor and Joy Kiszely Auditioned Recital. Participation included college students from legendary institutions such as The Juilliard School and The Curtis Institute. The recital is known as a distinguished annual event hosted by the nonprofit organization Philadelphia Music Teachers Association (PhMTA).
The two Newtown students were rising junior Tyler Yen and rising sophomore Everest Kim.
Nicholas Mynyk, PhMTA Carnegie Hall Kiszley chair in New York City and incoming PhMTA vice-president, serves as their proud piano teacher, who holds an impressive reputation himself of being a highly experienced international concert pianist and organist, clinician, music director and educator. "This is a rare achievement for Everest and Tyler, and they each were given significant solo stage time at one of the world’s most prestigious classical music venues," he adds.
As a Newtown resident, Nicholas also teaches piano lessons in Newtown and has played at St. Luke’s Newtown. Admission to his private studio in Newtown is by audition and invitation only. He also is a cofounder of the PhMTA Scholarship Program for underrepresented students and teachers.
He says Tyler and Everest performed the detailed works of Chopin and Liszt at Carnegie Hall.
"Both students also received an award in the audition to professionally record at Steinway & Sons Center City in Philadelphia. The additional recording award was given only to the top 12 scores. The auditions included college undergraduates up to age 22," shares Nicholas.
"These are highly gifted high school students who will go on to have significant impacts in the world of classical music."
Nicholas holds a bachelor's and master degree in music from Westminster Choir College of Rider University and Studies at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, Rome, Italy. His doctoral studies took place at Temple University. During graduate studies, he served as the assistant organist of Princeton University Chapel. Additionally, he has performed as an organist, conductor and pianist at the Kimmel Center, Carnegie Hall Stern & Weill, Merkin Hall, Princeton University Chapel and Graduate College, Juilliard School, Temple, Westminster Choir College, The Pontifical Institute, Marywood University, Wilkes University, La Madeleine: Paris, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia Garden Series and Christ Church Old City, and throughout Europe.
Tyler Yen, son of Alice Yen, PhD, LC
Tyler was 5 years old when he started playing the piano, making it 11 years of lessons and finetuning. "I also learned to play the violin in third grade but switched to baritone/euphonium in fourth grade. Currently, I play euphonium with Council Rock North's symphonic band ensemble and Youth Orchestra of Bucks County Concert Winds ensemble," he adds.
His mother also plays the piano and violin. "Both my siblings play instruments, too. Kira, who is 14, plays the piano and violin, and my younger brother, Jalen, who's 12, plays the piano and cello," he states
While Tyler says he recalls his nerves and feelings of anxiety before his performance at Carnegie Hall, he also remembers the overall excitement of the day and sense of joy and accomplishment after the recital concluded.
"The hardest piece of music I've ever learned is Chopin Etude Op. 10, No. 12 (“Revolutionary”)," Tyler reveals, adding that he also enjoys playing contemporary music because he prefers melodic theme songs.
"I do hope to continue playing piano recreationally in college and after," says the student who truly enjoys biology and social studies classes.
Tyler's advice after contemplating his experience with this high-pressure musical event: "Make the decision to commit to something, even when it seems scary, because when you stick with it and see it to completion, the sense of accomplishment and joy at the end is rewarding."
Everest Kim, son Ellen Kim, MD, and Joe Kim, MD
Everest has been playing the piano since Kindergarten, so for about 10 years, all supported with lessons. He started on the piano, and then took up other instruments, including the clarinet, oboe for about 4 years and for the past two years the tenor saxophone, for which he plays with the school's symphonic band and jazz band.
"I'm about to join marching band next year," he adds.
Everest says his whole family is musically inclined!
"My oldest sister, Sierra, plays the piano, viola and clarient. My other sister, Ashley, also started on piano and is playing the cello. My younger brother, Logan, plays the piano in addition to violin but switched to currently playing the viola. My dad grew up playing the oboe, clarinet and sax. My mom grew up playing the piano, violin and handbells," he shares.
Everest says one detail he will remember most about his first performance at Carnegie Hall was being impressed by how the building, architecture and interior really looked.
Locally, Everest has performed in local recitals held by his piano teachers. He also previously played as a volunteer at assistant living homes and senior citizen communities such as Northampton Manor and Anne's Choice. Furthermore, he's a part of the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County (YOBC) where he plays the oboe and performed with the Concert Winds Ensemble and Philharmonia last year for their fall and spring concerts held in Newtown.
As a classical enthusiast when it comes to music, his hardest piece ever learned is Chopin Ballade No 1 in G minor, Op 23.
Everest, whose favorite subject in school is math, even wrote his own improvisational music at a digital music camp, too.
"As an adult, I'm considering using my piano skills to continue to perform or teach students how to play," he states, adding that he's also a Star Wars fan and likes to play chess.
Background of This Esteemed Recital
Andor and Joy Kiszely were two of the most influential members of the Philadelphia Music Teachers Association. They each served multiple times as president, helped establish student festivals and chaired this annual auditioned recital that's now named in their honor.
Joy Miller Kiszely received her musical training at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Indiana University School of Music and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Dr. Andor Kiszely received his musical training at the Franz Liszt Royal Academy of Music in Budapest and the State Academy of Music in Vienna.
In 1967, the Kiszelys founded the Main Line Conservatory in Ardmore. Their work over five decades helped raise the standards of excellence for PhMTA, making this recital a fitting tribute to their legacy -- now of which Tyler and Everest are part.