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.
Mika Matsuyama - Honorable Mention with Distinction
Congratulations to Mika Matsuyama for receiving an Honorable Mention with Distinction at the 2026 DePaul National Concerto Competition. Mika is a House of Ravel (Level IV - Undergraduate Expectations) student, studying with artist faculty Jeffrey Panko & Mary Sauer, & artist development faculty Sean Bennett.
Joseph Gallwas - 1st Place
Congratulations to NMS pianist Joseph Gallwas for winning the ISMTA North Competition 2025 Senior II Division in October. Joe studies with Mary Sauer, Jeffrey Panko and Sean Bennett at New Music School in Chicago and is in the House of Ravel (Level 4 - Undergraduate Expectations).
Kenneth Gallwas — 1st Place
KEN GALLWAS, FIRST PLACE
ROCKFORD SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA CONCERTO COMPETITION
Congratulations to Ken for winning the RSYO Concerto Competition performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37, III. Rondo. Allegro-Presto. Ken studies with Mary Sauer and Jeffrey Panko at New Music School.
Joseph Gallwas - Finalist
Congratulations to NMS pianist Joseph Gallwas for being selected as one of the Finalists for the 2025 Crain-Mailing Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition! Joseph Gallwas is a student of Mary Sauer, Jeffrey Panko and Sean Bennett at New Music School in Chicago.
At the YAC finals, he will perform Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, I. Andante-Allegro.
Joseph & Ken Gallwas - 1st Prize
Congratulations to the Gallwas Twins for winning the 2025 Ohio International Piano Duet & Duo Competition Senior Division First Prize.
Joseph Gallwas - First Prize
Congratulations to NMS House of Ravel student Joseph Gallwas for winning the 2025 Young Artist Auditions with the Dupage Symphony Orchestra. Joe will perform March 16th at 3PM with the orchestra. Tickets at link in bio.
Performing: Prokofiev Piano Concerto No 3 in C Major, Op. 26: 1, Andante - Allegro
Joseph Gallwas - Winner
Congratulations to NMS pianist Joseph Gallwas for winning the Open Senior Division of the 2025 O’Malley Foundation National Concerto Competition (formerly Walgreens).
Joseph Gallwas - Semi-Finalist
NMS Student Joseph Gallwas, pianist, has been named a Semi-Finalist for the 2025 International Young Artist Concerto Competition.
Performing: Prokofiev Piano Concerto No 3 in C Major, Op. 26: 1, Andante – Allegro
Joseph & Ken Gallwas - Live on WFMT
NMS Students Joe and Ken Gallwas aka Gallwas Twins perform LIVE on WFMT Introductions 98.7 this Saturday at 11AM. Listen live on the radio or via link in Bio. Program includes Mozart, Piazolla, Guastavino and Bach.
Both Joe and Ken are House of Ravel students at New Music School and study with Jeff Panko, Mary Sauer and a student of our Artist Development program with Sean Bennett.
