Local piano students perform

SPARTA - On May 6, 13 local piano students from the studio of Kathleen Christie of Sparta performed in The National Piano Auditions sponsored by the National Guild of Piano Teachers, American College of Musicians, of which their teacher is a member. The students received certificates, pins and membership in the National Fraternity of Student Musicians. Dr. Geraldine Van Der Pol Wagoner, graduate in flute and piano at the Juilliard School, adjudicated this year's auditions. Her company, Musical Spheres, manages talent, adjudicates and provides musical instruction in piano, voice and woodwinds, as well as coaching musical theater. Her students can be found playing and managing major orchestras in the U.S. and Europe. Playing four to six pieces and receiving District Honors were Jonathan Caretsky, Luke Giugliano, Samantha Giugliano, Stefani Jensen, Kathleen Kaiser, Jordan Maylath, Sara Melberger, Alec Noble, Rhiannon Neuville-Norton, Daniel O'Sullivan, Devin O'Sullivan, Jessica Tappen and Kayla Walsh.