The Douglas Anderson School of the Arts proudly announces that students Mark Magyar and Jahneen Alexander achieved remarkable success at the prestigious Crescendo International Music Competition held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Under the guidance of their dedicated piano teacher, Mrs. Vera Watson, Magyar and Alexander captivated judges with their exceptional musical talent and artistry, competing with both solo and duet performances.
In the duet category, the pair earned an impressive score of 28/30, securing First Place and an invitation to perform at the esteemed Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. Magyar also excelled as a soloist, achieving a nearly perfect score of 29/30 and earning recognition as a Finalist. Both students demonstrated outstanding musical maturity and artistry, earning them accolades from the competition judges. One judge remarked:
"For outstanding preparation, musical maturity, and artistry displayed in the first round of the competition, I recommend this student for the Gala Concert at Zankel Hall and the International Student Exchange Program."
Crescendo International Music Competition is a youth music competition that has been held annually since 2007 for 3- to 24-year-old students. The competition is open to Junior, Intermediate, and Advanced levels for all instrumentalists, vocalists, duets and chamber ensembles. They hold international competitions in various establishments throughout the USA, Canada, Japan, China, Italy, Austria, Korea, Germany, France and other establishments across the globe.
As First Place winners with top scores, Magyard and Alexander have been specially invited to perform in a Gala Concert at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, March 15, 2025. This incredible achievement highlights the dedication and talent of these young musicians, as well as the exceptional instruction provided by Mrs. Vera Watson at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.