HAPPENING
@ New Music School
Daniel Razminia - Competition Selection
Pianist Daniel Razminia (15), student of Jeffrey Panko and Mary Sauer, was accepted to compete in the Toronto International Piano Competition. 140 applicants world wide applied for admission to the competition, and we are so proud of Daniel for being selected for the opportunity!
Daniel Razminia, 15, is a sophomore at Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Illinois, and an aspiring concert pianist. He began his classical piano studies in 2022 with Jeffrey Panko at the New Music School in Chicago and currently studies with Jeffrey Panko and Mary Sauer, Principal Keyboardist Emeritus of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has also participated in masterclasses with Stephen Osborne, Alan Chow, and Antonio Pompa-Baldi.
In 2023, Daniel performed the first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 under the direction of Conner Gray Covington. The following year, he attended the Todi International Music Masters Festival in Italy, where he performed in both solo recitals and with orchestra. He also presented a debut recital on the Friends of the Windows Concert Series at Quigley Chapel in Chicago.
Daniel has earned top prizes in several competitions, including CAMTA, American Protégé, and SBC, and has performed at Carnegie Hall. Outside of music, he is actively involved in robotics and enjoys playing tennis.
Constantine Wang — Gold Award
Congratulations to Constantine Wang (13) for being one of three winners of the Gold Award in the 2026 Singapore Raffles International Music Festival Competition Youth Category Piano Solo Online Competition. Constantine is a student of Winston Choi and Jeffrey Panko at New Music School. He has recently won First Prize in the Junior Category of the American Protégé International Piano & Strings Competition 2026 and will be performing in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in June. Additionally, as the winner of the GOLD HANDS of the Carles and Sofia Piano Competition, he has been invited to perform in Spain this summer. He also recently performed in the Intermediate Piano Master Class with Nancy O’Neill Breth at the 2026 MTNA National Conference.
Beatrice Valenzuela - 1st Place
Congratulations to Beatrice Valenzuela @beatricelavioloniste for winning the 2026 ISMTA E-Competition Non-Piano Junior Division.
Constantine Wang — 1st Prize
Constantine Wang (13), student of Winston Choi, won First Prize in the Junior Category of the American Protégé International Piano & Strings Competition 2026. He will be performing in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in June. Additionally, as the winner of the GOLD HANDS of the Carles and Sofia Piano Competition, he has been invited to perform in Spain this summer. He also recently performed in the Intermediate Piano Master Class with Nancy O’Neill Breth at the 2026 MTNA National Conference.
NMS Students at the 2026 Chicago Area Music Teacher’s Association Sonata Festival — Placements
Many NMS students received Honors at the 2026 Chicago Area Music Teacher’s Association Sonata Festival.
Beatrice Valenzuela - Semifinalist
Congratulations to Beatrice Valenzuela for making it to the Semifinals at the 2026 Sphinx Competition. Beatrice will compete Thursday AM. We are all wishing her the best of luck!!
Beatrice is a student of Desirée Ruhstrat & Timothy Hager at New Music School and is in the House of Beethoven (Level 3-College Preparatory).
Beatrice Valenzuela - 3rd Place
NMS violinist, Beatrice Valenzuela (13) received 3rd place in the 2024 Sejong Music Competition - Junior Division. Beatrice is a student of Desirée Ruhstrat and Timothy Hager at New Music School and in the House of Beethoven (Level III - College Preparatory Expectations).