Rochester Piano Teachers Guild, Inc.
2025-2026
September
September 10, Wednesday
Application deadline: NYSMTA State Competition (Virtual)
Categories: Performance Competitions (Piano, Piano Duet, Strings and Woodwinds), Composition https://nysmta.org/mtna-competitions/
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September 12, Friday
Application Deadline: 2025 Nazareth University Piano Competition. For more information visit https://www2.naz.edu/school-music/experiential-learning/piano-competition/ or contact: Dr. Jacob Ertl: jertl2@naz.edu
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September 12, Friday, 10:00 am
RPTG Board meeting, at the home of Sarah Rhee-Tirre
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September 19, Friday, Gather at 9:45 am
Piano Recital & Membership Meeting at the home of Barbara Noval, 43 Parker Drive, Pittsford, NY 14534. Our featured artist this year is Xiaoliang Qian, who has earned a Master's degree in Piano Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music, studying under Professor Marina Lomazov, with whom he is currently continuing his doctoral studies. A reception and membership meeting will follow the recital. ​
October
October 5, Sunday
The 2025 Nazareth University Piano Competition.
For more information contact Dr. Jacob Ertl: jertl2@naz.edu
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October 5, Sunday
Deadline for Fall Semester Scholarship Application
Application details and contact for Hwaen Ch'uqi on page 25 of the handbook.
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October 12, Sunday
Video submission deadline: NYSMTA State Competition
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October 15, Wednesday
Deadline for November Duet Newsletter.
Email submissions to Elier Suarez: elier@elier.com
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October 17, Friday
Deadline for October 25 Student Recital Applications.
Application at www.rochesterpianoteachers.org. For more information contact: Beth Fischer: beth@bethfischerpiano.com
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October 17, Friday, 10:00 am
RPTG Program: “Hearing More Voices: How Our Expectations Influence and Shape Our Students” presented by Margaret Coote at The Pittsford Community Center 35, Lincoln Ave. Pittsford, NY 14534 - Activity Room 18 RSVP to Sarah Barford:
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October 18, Saturday
Gold Cup online registration opens - Application on RPTG website: www.rochesterpianoteachers.org
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October 18, Saturday (afternoon)
NYSMTA Virtual Symposium with Guest Presenter, Leila Viss
https://nysmta.org/2025-virtual-symposium Contact: Tasha George-Hinnant
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October 25, Saturday, 2:00 pm
Halloween/Fall Student Recital at Legacy at Clover Blossom, 100 McAuley Dr., Rochester, NY 14610. Costumes encouraged!
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October 31, Friday, 10:00 am
RPTG Board meeting at the home of Kathy Whitlock
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November
November 1, Saturday
National Guild of Piano Teachers Auditions deadline – to participate in Spring 2026 Auditions you must contact: Wendy O'Brien at brucelegacystudios@gmail.com
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November 8, Saturday
Deadline for Howard Hanson Audition applications.
Send to Beth Fischer. More information on pages 23-24 of the handbook.
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November 14, Friday, 10:00 am
Program & Membership Meeting “Unlock the Artistry: Core
Techniques for Freedom and Fluency” presented by Jacob Ertl at
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church - 28 Lincoln Ave., Pittsford, NY 14534. RSVP to Sarah Barford: Barfordpiano@gmail.com
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December
December 1,
Deadline to send your repertoire for Beverly Smoker's February 27th program, “Music Theory – What it is and what to do with it?”
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December 5, Friday
Deadline for December 13th Holiday/Winter Student Recital Applications. Application at www.rochesterpianoteachers.org. For more information contact Beth Fischer: beth@bethfischerpiano.com
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December 7, Sunday
Deadline to submit Gold Cup Festival applications
Application on RPTG website: www.rochesterpianoteachers.org
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December 13, Saturday
1:30 & 3:00 pm Student Holiday/Winter Recitals at Resurrection
Lutheran Church, 3736 St. Paul Blvd. Rochester, NY 14617
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December 15, Monday
Deadline for January Duet Newsletter. Email submissions to
Elier Suarez: elier@elier.com
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January
January 8, Thursday
Deadline for Howard Hanson Audition program approval.
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January 9, Friday, 10:00 am
RPTG Board meeting, at the home of Sarah Rhee
January 15, Thursday
Deadline for Howard Hanson Audition program changes
January 15, Thursday
Deadline for NYSMTA Student Achievement Program (Full program or Repertoire and Technique or Repertoire and Theory) Application at: https://nysmtadistrict12.wixsite.com/website
For more information contact Bonnie Choi: bchoi6@naz.edu
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January 31, Saturday
Gold Cup Festival, Nazareth University School of Music
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February
February 5, Thursday
Deadline for Spring Semester Scholarship Application
Application details and contact for Hwaen Ch'uqi on page 25 of the handbook.
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February 7, Saturday
Gold Cup Festival Honors Recitals 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm - Nazareth University, Linehan Chapel
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​February (continued)​
February 15, Sunday
Deadline for March Duet Newsletter. Email submissions to Elier Suarez: elier@elier.com
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February 27, Friday 10:00 am
Program: “Music Theory – What is it and what to do with it?”
This session will be presented by Beverly Smoker, who will illustrate through repertoire selected by you how a basic understanding of harmony, rhythm, melody, notation and style can help us and our students learn music and craft a solid and artistic performance. Perinton Presbyterian Church 6511 Pittsford-Palmyra Road Fairport,
NY 14450 RSVP to Sarah Barford: Barfordpiano@gmail.com
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March
March 6, Friday, 10:00 am
RPTG Board meeting, at the home of Teddy Carr
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March 8, Sunday
Howard Hanson Auditions, Nazareth University School of Music
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March 14, Saturday
NYSMTA District 12 Student Achievement Program Technique Exam In-person or online. Nazareth University https://nysmtadistrict12.wixsite.com/website
For more information contact Bonnie Choi: bchoi6@naz.edu
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March 15 Sunday
Deadline for NYSMTA Student Achievement Program
(Repertoire ONLY). https://nysmtadistrict12.wixsite.com/website
For more information contact Bonnie Choi: bchoi6@naz.edu
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March 22, Sunday, 7:00 pm
Howard Hanson Winners' Recital - Wilmot Hall, Nazareth University School of Music.
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March 28,
Deadline for American Composer Festival Applications. Visiting composer Dennis Alexander. Applications can be found on the RPTG website: www.rochesterpianoteachers.org For more information contact: Teddy Carr: (585) 264-0065.
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April
NGPT Auditions. For more information contact: Wendy O'Brien at brucelegacystudios@gmail.com
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April 1, Wednesday
Postmark Deadline for NYSMTA Student Achievement
Theory Exam. Mail to: Kym Schifino, 19 Farm Field Lane,
Pittsford, NY 14534
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April 12, Sunday
Application and Video upload deadline for NYSMTA Heddy Killian Empire State Competition (Virtual) New this year: Expanded Eligibility! Now open to all students, including those outside of NYSMTA membership and from all areas in New York State. Entry Fees: NYSMTA Members: $35 per participant. Non-Members: $55 per participant. https://nysmta.org/heddy-kilian-empire-state-competition/
April 15, Wednesday
Deadline for May Duet Newsletter. Email submissions to
Elier Suarez: elier@elier.com
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April 17, Friday
Deadline for H.S. Seniors, Student and Teacher April 26th recital applications. Applications at www.rochesterpianoteachers.org. For more information contact Beth Fischer: beth@bethfischerpiano.com
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April 18, Saturday
American Composer Festival 2026 - Visiting Composer Dennis Alexander. Nazareth University, Linehan Chapel. For more information Contact Teddy Carr: 585-264-0065.
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April 26, Sunday
Spring Student, High School Senior and RPTG Teacher Recitals
@ 1:30, 3:00 and 4:00 pm Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs
Street, Rochester, NY 14607. For more information contact
Beth Fischer: beth@bethfischerpiano.com
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April 27, Monday
Postmark Deadline for Junior All-Star Piano Competition
(Competition May 30th and Winners recital May 31st)
For more information contact
Beth Fischer: beth@bethfischerpiano.com
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April 30, Thursday
Deadline to apply for Laura Heilbronner Scholarship. For more information contact Brian Preston. Further information on page 26 of the handbook.
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May
May 15, Friday, 10:00 am
Program: “Beyond Drumbeats and Open Fifths: Indigenous Compositions for the Americas for the Piano Studio” presented by Stephanie Mercer at Center Park West pavilion on Ayrault Road.
Picnic lunch to follow. RSVP to Sarah Barford: Barfordpiano@gmail.com
May 17, Sunday
NYSMTA Student Achievement Program Repertoire Exam
In-person or online Nazareth University https://nysmtadistrict12.wixsite.com/website
For more information contact Bonnie Choi: bchoi6@naz.edu
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May 30, Saturday
Junior All-Star Competition, Nazareth University School of Music
Wilmot Recital Hall. Contact: Beth Fischer
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May 31, Sunday, 3:30 pm
Junior All-Stars Competition Winners' Recital, Nazareth University
School of Music, Wilmot Recital Hall. Contact: Beth Fischer
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June
June 5, Friday, 10:00 am
Board meeting, at the home of Jeanne Strong
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June 20, Saturday, 6:00 pm
RPTG Potluck Dinner and Membership meeting at the home of Jeanne Strong, 33 Farm Field Lane, Pittsford, NY 14534. RSVP to Jeanne by June 14th.
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June 22-23, Monday - Tuesday
Piano Pedagogy Workshop – Guest Presenter: Jeremy Siskind. Secondary Presenter: Beverly Smoker, Sponsored by RPTG, NYSMTA and Nazareth University School of Music.
Contact: Tasha George-Hinnant: tnghinnant@gmail.com
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July
July 31, Friday
RPTG Membership fees are due! diane@musiconthemove.com
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August
August 15, Friday
Deadline for September Duet Newsletter.
Email submissions to Elier Suarez: elier@elier.com