Bio
Hey I'm Umi!
I come from a family that values music and the performing arts. Their music tastes as well as that of my friends' & teachers' has shaped my musical output (see acknowledgements).
I cannot recollect when my relationship with music began. But, while attending Music Together as a toddler, I would apparently return home singing their repertoire acapella in their original key(s). This alerted my parents to guess that I might have perfect pitch and maybe a predisposition for music. At that point I was sent for formal piano lessons with my beloved grandma Devika Demel where I remain to this day.
While studying classical piano music, participating in Guild & ABRSM exams and local competitions at the Demel Piano Studio, I took up jazz piano for a year with Joe Harkins and finally plucked up the courage to join my school jazz band as pianist.
I am instantly attracted to good harmony, but appreciate music that is unique and authentic. My music has been described as "vintage" sounding maybe because I listen to everything from Classical music (love Chopin & Debussy) as well as Jazz, Motown, Pop, & World Music!
I enjoy noodling at the piano, sometimes longer than practicing assigned music from my piano teacher(s) Shh! Don't share with my teacher(: The music compositions I share with you are an outgrowth of these "noodlings"--at least those of which I remembered!
A few recent highlights--such as receiving honorable mention for my composition "Haunted" (MTNA & Guild Compositions Competitions), playing piano with a professional band in NOLA, and singing with Denver's Wild Beautiful Orchestra--gave me the courage to share my love of music and a few of my original compositions with you.
So, please check them out in the Media Gallery & Store menus. And If you like any please download and learn them--they're not difficult.
AND because music is about shared experience/community exchange/community participation/cultural evolution, I CHALLENGE YOU to:
CONTACT ME, via email, with a video of your interpretation/"your take" on my music.
AND, with your permission, every month I will feature you performing my music on YouTube.
Lets celebrate music making!
Resume
Education
2023 8th Grade, Summit Ridge Middle School, Littleton, Colorado
Music Training
2022-present Classical Guitar, Music & Arts, Felipe Cantuaria
2019-2021 Jazz Piano, Joseph Harkins Studio
2017-2019 Voice, Kristen Celusniak Voice & Piano Studio
2016-present Piano Performance/Improvisation/Theory/Composition, Devika DeMel Studio
Piano (Solo & Duet), Vocal, & Jazz Band Performance
2022-present Pianist, Summit Ridge Middle School Jazz Band
2022 Modern Era Masterclass, Dr. Stephanie Cheng (facilitator/Denver University), Columbine Music Teachers’ Association (CMTA)
2021 Soloist, Summit Ridge Middle School Choir
2020 Composition Masterclass, Wynn-Ann Rossi (facilitator), Festival for Creative Pianists
2020 Classical Era Masterclass, Chee Wa Tan (facilitator/Denver University), Columbine Music Teachers’ Association (CMTA)
2019-present Winner, Honors Piano Recital, CMTA Celebration Series
2018-2019 Prep-Choir, Colorado Children’s Choral
2017-2022 US International Piano Duo Competition, Broadmoor Hotel
Music Theater
2023 Avram from Fiddler on the Roof, AO1
2023 Pabbie from Frozen Jr., AO1
2022 Jungle Citizen from Seussical, AO1
2020 Enchantress (& live pianist for “Tale as Old as Time” & “Be Our Guest”) from Beauty & the Beast, Kids Stage
2019 Rapunzel (& live pianist for “I have a Dream”) from Tangled, Kids Stage
Piano Solo Original Compositions
2023 Untitled
2021 Anniversary©
2021 Haunted©
2020 Waterfalls©
2019 Mindfulness and Peace©
2019 My Love is Out There Somewhere©
Forthcoming publication of music compiled from above copyrighted original works
Awards, Honors, Certifications
2023 Light Award, Avram in “Fidder on the Roof,” Audience of One
2023 1st Place (Level 7-10), Judy Bonnell Award for Artistic Distinction, CMTA Celebration Series
2023 Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Award, Rising Stars Festival, CSMTA
2022 1st Place (Level 1-6), Judy Bonnell Award for Artistic Distinction, CMTA Celebration Series
2022 Honorable Mention, "Haunted”, MTNA Composition Competition (Colorado State) & National Guild Composition Competition (Austin, TX)
2022 Distinction, Grade 5—Practical Musicianship Practical, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music London (ABRSM)
2021 Best Junior Composition, “Haunted”, Festival for Creative Pianists
2019-present National Level (10-piece memorized program with scales & cadences), National Piano Playing Auditions Certificates, American College of Musicians USA
2019 Winner, Yamaha Piano Competition (Level 1), Classic Pianos
2019 Award of Excellence, “Mindfulness and Peace” National PTA Reflections Music Composition
2019 “TOMMY” Award for the role of Rapunzel in “Tangled”, Kids Stage
2018-present Winner, Honors Piano Recital, Columbine Music Teachers Association Celebration Series—Baroque/Classical/Romantic/Modern Era
2018 Honorable Mention, Yamaha Piano Competition (Level 1), Classic Pianos
2018 2nd Place, US International Piano Duo Competition, Broadmoor Hotel
2015-2018 District & State Level (under 10 piece memorized program with scales & cadences), National Piano Playing Auditions Certificates, American College of Musicians USA