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Music Teachers' Association of California®
Alameda County East Branch
"The mission of MTAC is to pursue excellence in music education and advance the music teaching profession through innovative programs that foster artistic growth and achievement."
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Other Programs
Annual Young Artist Guild (YAG) Recital
The Young Artist Guild is a group of the most gifted musicians in the Certificate of Merit® program. Acceptance to YAG is one of the highest honors for Certificate of Merit® students.
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2016 Elliot Wuu
2015 Misha Galant
2014 Hanson Tam
2013 Connie Chen
2012 Jessie Wang
2011 Gus Liu
2010 David Wu
2009 Sarah Chang
2008 Ian Counts
2007 Ashley Hsu
2006 Shirley Hu
2005 Bethany Wang
2004 Kevin Chen
2003 Dustin Callahan
2002 David Lee
2001 Jessica Chow
2000 Dona Le
1999 Garrick Chak
1998 Christine Yu
1997 Aaron Miller
1996 Michael Nguyen
1995 Domi Le
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Young Artist Guild Recital
Mia Widdowson
Date: 9/14 at 4 pm
Lynnewood United Methodist Church
4444 Black Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Mia Widdowson is 17 years old and attends high school in San Ramon. She has studied classical voice under Jennie Byun for six years. She has participated in several competitions and received numerous awards, including VOCE 2023 and 2024, Panel Honors 2024, Panel Masterclass 2023, ABRSM Level 8 Certification, VAYA 2021, and USIMC 2021. Apart from voice, Mia is currently studying Technology and Applied Composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (pre-college program), winning awards in composition such as Kriz Getz 1st Place 2025 and the Creative Youth Awards 2025 Exceptional Award. She aspires to study composition, audio technology, and classical voice in college. In addition, Mia has completed Level 10 Certification for Piano under Connie Chen and currently participates in her school’s Jazz Band and Concert Choir. Apart from music, Mia enjoys watching movies, exploring nature, teaching musical subjects, and spending time with friends and family.
Young Artist Guild Recital
CELICIA THENDEAN
Date: 8/30 at 7:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church Livermore2020 5th St. Livermore, CA
Celicia Thendean, age 17, began her piano studies at the age of 3 under the guidance of her mother and Prof. Anna Poklewski. She later advanced her training with the renowned Ilana Vered. Celicia had the honor of performing as a soloist with many prestigious orchestras, including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Brunensis Virtuosi Orchestra, Livermore-Amador Symphony, SEEN Orchestra, Korea Seocho Philharmonia, and Palo Alto Philharmonic. Her exceptional talent has earned her top prizes in a variety of distinguished piano competitions, such as the Piano Texas International Festival Concerto Competition, the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, the Claudette Sorel Piano Competition, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition, and the Philadelphia International Music Festival. She was also inducted into the prestigious Young Artists Guild in 2025 and received the Chopin Foundation Scholarship in 2024.
