Stories from our Students
My name is Lucia DeBenito y Sanchez, and I started studying with Mrs. Nogaj at Bradley University Piano Preparatory School when I was almost four. I didn’t even know which was my right and which was my left hand! Now, I am ten years old.
Thanks to Mrs. Nogaj and her wonderful teaching skills, I have been able to truly appreciate the beauty of piano. She has prepared me for countless competitions. But let’s not start there, let’s start from the beginning.
During my first piano classes, Mrs. Nogaj made me a drawing of which was my right and which was my left hand. I still keep that drawing, and even if it is a little discolored, it still means a lot to me.
When I was five, I went to my first piano competition in Geneva, and thanks to Mrs. Nogaj, I won an Outstanding. That same year, I went to a competition in Chicago which was in Honor of Confucius, and won second place (money prize). Since then, I have gone many times to those and other competitions.
I have also gone to several music camps. In 2006, I went to a music camp at Sotomesa Academy in Madrid, Spain, and had Master Classes with Diego Ramos. He said that I was very musical, and he was impressed with the preparation and technique that Mrs. Nogaj was teaching me at Bradley Piano Preparatory School. He also invited me to perform in a concert.
This year I went to another music camp at CEMAR which is also in Madrid, Spain, and was taught by Ana Estefania Fernandez Bueno. She said that I am very talented and that my piano teacher is very good. Several other teachers and piano shop owners told me that I had very good preparation from Mrs. Nogaj.
Concluding, the piano means a lot to me. Even from when I was very little, I have always had a passion for the piano. I love playing the piano, and Mrs. Nogaj gives me a wonderful sensation when she gives me piano classes. Thanks to Mrs. Nogaj, I know so many pieces on the piano. She has taught me wonderful technical as well as sentimental skills. Thank you, Mrs. Nogaj.
All the competitions I have gone to:
2005-Geneva: Outstanding; Chicago: Second Place
2006-Chicago: Honorable Mention
2007- Geneva: 1st Place; Chicago: Honorable Mention and Bronze Trophy
2008- Geneva 1st Place; Chicago: Honorable Mention
2009- Geneva: 2nd Place (solo) and 1st Place (duet); Chicago: Silver Trophy .
Star Commanday is 11 years old and is home schooled. She has been studying piano with Madame Nogaj in the Bradley Piano Preparatory School for four years. Star has participated in the Geneva Music Competition two years and was awarded an “Outstanding” one year. The following year she was awarded the highest score of 100 points. Star also dances ballet at the Peoria Ballet Academy, along with her brother, Lark. Star enjoys showing dogs and already has a distinguished record as an AKC Junior Handler.
My name is Darby Fitch, and I have studied with Mrs. Nogaj for eleven years at the Bradley Piano Preparatory School. The excellent technical skills Mrs. Nogaj has instilled, Mrs. Nogaj’s ability to identify pieces I will love, and Mrs. Nogaj’s ability to make piano lessons a joy have prepared me to do well in piano competitions such as the Chinese Fine Arts Society Music Festival in Honor of Confucius in Chicago and the Geneva Granquist Swedish Days Music Festival. I have also competed in the Bradley High School Piano Competition (receiving first place as a freshman) and the Peoria Symphony Guild Young Artist Competition (first runner-up).
This summer I had the opportunity to participate in the piano program at the month-long Masterworks Festival in Winona Lake, IN. I played for Hugh Sung in a master class and took lessons from Eugene Alcalay, Li-shan Hung, Heidi Williams, Lori Rhoden, and Borah Kang. After I came home I was able to play for master classes led by Antonio Pompa-Baldi and Andrew von Oeyen.
I have had the privilege of accompanying many students in the viola studio at Illinois State University for studio classes, juries, concerto competitions, and master classes. I have also accompanied horn, violin, cello, piano, and vocal ensembles. I have enjoyed the opportunity to perform for regional and state conventions in Peoria and Chicago. The many repertory classes and recitals arranged by Mrs. Nogaj throughout the Preparatory School were critical in preparing me for these accompanying and performance responsibilities.
Currently as a junior in high school, I am beginning to prepare audition repertoire for the university admission process, and I am enjoying utilizing the teaching techniques I have learned from Mrs. Nogaj with some of my own piano students.
