Two piano students of Teaching Artist Faith Zúñiga were awarded prizes in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition! They will both be performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City later this year. Ava Harhay is a Second Place Winner and Keira Konson received an Honorable Mention. We are so excited for both of these students and look forward to updating you later this semester about their performances!
Ava Harhay (pictured above with Ms. Zuniga) is 10 years old and lives in Falls Church, Virginia. Ava showed an interest in playing the piano at an early age and started lessons when she was six years old. She is currently taking lessons with Faith Zúñiga, adjunct faculty, at George Mason University Potomac Arts Academy. Ava enjoys piano performances and has participated in numerous winter and spring recitals. Ava was a winner at the 2015 Potomac Arts Academy Spotlight on the Arts competition and performed in the winners’ recital April 2015. She also recently earned second place in the American Protégé Competition and will be performing at Carnegie Hall in May.
In addition to her love and dedication to the piano, Ava plays soccer and is the goalie on her team. In her free time, Ava enjoys reading, watching, and learning everything there is to know about Harry Potter.
Keira Konson (pictured with Ms. Zuniga) is 11 years old and from Oakton, VA. She started her piano study at the age of 5. Keira enjoys piano performance, gave her first shared solo recital last year and has played in the Fairfax County Piano Festival for the past 3 years, obtaining the highest rating each year. This is the second year Keira is learning under the great instruction of her teacher, Faith Zúñiga. She particularly enjoys playing the music of Edvard Grieg, but enjoys listening to a wide variety of music. Keira currently also plays the French horn in her school band. She makes fabric-tie wreaths to benefit AIDS orphans in her parents’ native South Africa – and loves every opportunity to visit! Keira has a great desire to serve others, starting with her parents and 3 siblings at home. She also enjoys ballet, lyrical, jazz and acro dance, baking and just about anything else she can pour her creative energy into!
CONGRATULATIONS, AVA, KEIRA, AND FAITH!!
To start your own musical journey at Potomac Arts Academy, please use this link to learn more about private lessons!