The 2008-2009 school year turned out to be an eventful one for the DM Piano School. In August 2008, one of our students - Spencer Zezulka - was invited to Italy to participate in the annual international music festival under the aegis of UNESCO. Despite his young age, the seven-year-old performer was able to attain both sympathy and appreciation from the audience with his repertoire, which included in itself Chopin`s Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Prokofiev`s ``Les Montegues et Les Capulets`` and `Gavotte`, as well as the second movement of one of Haydn`s Piano Trios. He was lucky enough to not only visit one of the most beautiful places in Italy, but also to play in the oldest performance halls of the country - halls that once housed the most successful performers of the past.

Inspired by this success, Spencer began to prepare for his first international piano competition. It should be mentioned, however, that the decision to take part in the International Competition of Young Pianists dedicated to the memory of V. Horowitz, taking place in Kiev (Ukraine), was not an easy one to make, since this competition is and has for years been known for its high professional performing standards together with the well-prepared competitors. And yet, we, nevertheless, decided to go for it.

Having heard of our decision, a few students of our Piano School expressed their wishes in wanting to attend the competition - at least as part of the audience. That was when we decided to not only attend the competition, but also to organize a tour featuring our school`s students in Ukraine. As a result of this, aside from Spencer`s performance in the competition, we planned three concerts in Kiev, featuring Spencer Zezulka, Julia Tsvetkova, and Katya Semyonova.

On October 22 of 2008, we landed in the Kiev airport, with our first concert taking place the very next day at Kiev`s Music School Number 10. The concert`s programme, together with Spencer`s repertoire, included Chopin`s Ballade Number 1 and Rachmaninoff`s First Piano Concerto - performed by Julia Tsvetkova, as well as Schumann`s `Butterflies` and Rachmaninoff`s Second Piano Concerto - performed by Katya Semyonova. Aside from giving concerts at Music School Number 10, we gave concerts in Music School Number 3 and in the Musical College Attributed to R. Glier. Katya and Julia also had the opportunity to participate in a masterclass with the head of the Piano Faculty of the Kiev Conservatory named after P.I. Tchaikovsky - Valeri Kozlov. However, the highlight of our stay in Kiev was definitely Spencer`s success in the Horowitz Piano Competition, where he took sixth place. Spencer, we sincerely congratulate you!!!

And yet, the young prodigy did not stop there, and in April 2009 he successfully competed in yet another international competition, this time in the USA. He proudly received second place and a silver medal in the AADGT competition and was invited to be a part of the final Gala concert in New York on May 24 of 2009.

Congratulations, again, and good luck to you in your future achievements, Spencer Zezulka!