My Music Experience
Anton Achondoa – Pianist & Teacher
EDUCATION
University of Alberta (2018 – Present)
o Pursuing a DMUS in Piano
o Current Teacher – Jacques Després
o Solo and Chamber Performances
o Graduate seminars in music theory & ethnomusicology
o Courses in piano literature and piano pedagogy
San Jose State University (2016 – 2018)
o Graduated Magna Cum Laude with an M. M. in Keyboard Studies
o Teacher – Frank Lévy
o Solo and Chamber Performances
o Graduate seminars in music history, performance styles, and music theory
Santa Clara University (2009 - 2013)
o Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. In Music (performance emphasis)
o Teacher – Hans Boepple
o Thorough education in theory, musicianship/aural skills, and music history.
o Advanced piano performance training
MUSICAL EDUCATION & TEACHER TRAINING
Avivo Teacher-Training-Institute (July 16 – 18, 2015)
o Spearheaded by original members of the Walden School, the workshop I attended was a discussion and exploration of
creative teaching methods and fostering a unique artistic identity.
[http://avivo.com/tti/]
Walden Teacher-Training-Institute (August 3 – 10, 2011)
o I attended the level 1 of TTI, which was an exploration of creative ways of conveying musical
information and aiding students in grasping musical concepts as well as finding their own artistic voice.
[http://waldenschool.org/teacher-training-institute/]
Private Piano Instruction (1997 - 2009)
o 12 years of piano lessons (pre-college)
o In 2009, I completed MTAC Certificate of Merit Evaluations which tested piano performance,
technique, and theory knowledge
o Performed in studio recitals (about 2 each year)
MUSIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Alberta
o I currently work as a teaching assistant for Keyboard Fundamentals (Music 129) and teach undergraduate music majors. I
make sure they know all their major and minor scales, arpeggios, and chords. I also assign them repertoire from different
periods of music. This work culminates in end of term juries.
o I currently as a piano studio teaching assistant offering piano lessons to undergraduate piano majors 6 hours a week. In
between lessons with their primary professors, I work on them with their repertoire, covering practice techniques,
discussing musical possibilities, and preparing for technical exams and performances.
San Jose State University
o I worked as a teaching associate and taught piano proficiency to undergraduate music students. I made sure they know all
their major and minor scales, arpeggios, and chords. I also assign them intermediate repertoire from different periods
of music.
o I worked as a student assistant for an introduction to music course for non-music majors. The class covered the basics of
music history, music theory, and piano playing.
Private Studio Teaching
o I have managed a private studio of 19 students. I teach them weekly and organize annual recitals for them.
Veksler Academy of Music and Dance (2013 – 2016)
o I worked as a piano private instructor, teaching students from age 3 – 50. My experience challenged me to find inspiring
and innovative ways of communicating musical information to students of varying levels of musical experience and
diverse personalities. With intermediate students, and actively incorporated music theory in my lesson plan. I resigned
from my position in order to make time for graduate studies
Santa Clara University (2012 - 2013)
o Worked as a teaching assistant for Theory III Class (Spring 2012). I conducted review sessions, helped grading
assignments, and supervised in class activities (such as 4-part writing).
o Worked as a teaching assistant for Aural Skills II, III, and V (The Theory/Aural Skills Capstone). I collaborated with the
professor in correcting homework assignments and administering exams.
o Volunteered as a teaching assistant in a beginning piano class. I mentored students one-on-one, and help them keep up
with the fairly brisk pace of the lesson plan.
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
Strauss Foundation Scholarship
o On January 15, 2020 I was selected as one of the recipients of the Strauss Foundation Scholarship which will fund a
trip to study music in Austria during the Summer (postponed due to COVID-19)
Beryl Barnes Memorial Graduate Award
o Fall 2019
o An award of $5000 which goes toward the tuition of my DMus studies at the University of Alberta
Edmonton Chamber Music Society Scholarship
o September 14, 2019
o An award of $1000 as well as the opportunity to play a pre-concert
o performance during the ECMS 2019-2020 season, featuring music by Prokofiev, Debussy, and Liszt.
Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship
o 2018-2019 School Year
o An award of $10,000 which goes toward the tuition of my DMus studies at the
University of Alberta.
San Jose Music Study Club Competition
o On November 12, 2017, I was selected as one of two winners of the San Jose Music Study Club Competition. I was the
recipient of a $1000 scholarship prize and have been given the opportunity to perform a concert in Spring 2018. I played
Rachmaninoff’s Etude-Tableaux Op. 39 No. 5 in E-flat Minor and Ravel’s Ondine from Gaspard de la nuit.
The Claude and Alberta Walker Scholarship
o 2016 - 2018
o An award of $13,600 ($3400 per semester) which went toward the tuition of my M.M. degree in Keyboard Studies
at San Jose State University.
Santa Clara University Concerto Aria Competition
o In 2010 and 2012, I was selected to play concerto movements with the SCU Orchestra. I played Beethoven’s
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major (Mov. I) and Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor (Mov. I) respectively.
Music Teachers Association of California 2012 Concerto Competition
o On March 30, 2012 I was selected as the first alternate of the MTAC Division IV Piano Concerto Competition. I played
the first movement of Grieg’s Piano Concerto
Music Teachers Association of California 2011 Solo Piano Competition
o On July 2, 2011 I was selected as the winner of the MTAC Division IV Solo Piano Competition.
I played Rachmaninoff’s Preludes Op. 23 Nos. 6 and 2.
PERFORMANCES
Degree Recitals
o November 16, 2019 – Dmus Recital featuring works by Mozart, Liszt, Prokofiev, Debussy, and Chopin
Venue: Convocation Hall at the University of Alberta.
o May 19, 2018 – M.M. Recital featuring works by Chopin, Beethoven, Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, and Ravel
Venue: San Jose State University Concert Hall
o May 19, 2013 – B.M. Recital featuring works by Beethoven, Ganne, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin
Venue: Santa Clara University Recital Hall
Beethoven Series
o During my M.M. studies, I performed both as a soloist and chamber musician for a concert series for the
Ira Brilliant Beethoven Center at SJSU where I performed Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in C Major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”
as well as his Sonata for Piano and Cello Op. 102 No. 1 (Mov. I).
Music Festivals
o The 2016 Semper Music International Festival (formerly known as the Schlern International Music Festival) in
Schlern, Italy. I performed works by Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, & Gershwin. I played for Masterclasses
taught by Xiao Wu and Boris Konovalov.
o The 2017 Lansum International Music Festival in Claremont, California. I played works by Chopin and Rachmaninoff.
I played in masterclasses and lessons taught by Edward Wolanin and Sergey Schepkin.
Self-Organized Recitals
o January 29, 2019 –Recital with colleagues where I played works by Liszt and Ravel
Venue: Convocation Hall at the University of Alberta.
o February 26, 2019 – Recital with colleagues where I played works by Debussy
Venue: Studio 2-7 in the Fine Arts Building at the University of Alberta.
o September 20, 2019 Recital with colleagues where I played works by Prokofiev and Liszt.
Venue: Studio 2-7 in the Fine Arts Building at the University of Alberta.
House Concert with Amber Rubarth
o I played the opening act of a concert by independent American singer-songwriter, Amber Rubarth.
My program consisted of works by Debussy, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and Prokofiev.
Venue: Private Home in Fremont, California