(Front Row) Annie Bond, Delaney Eller, Henry Ellis, Gaven Conner, Meghan Thompson, Andrew Hartman, Berkeley Wall, Charles Baynum, Charlie Angleberger, Riley Geddes, Audrey Hayes and Zella Kathryn Poarch. (Second Row) Mia Franke, Tucker Franke, Kirbie Conner, Adalynn Eller, Carrington Gardner, Gabby Peppers, Isabel Baynum, Emma Bradley, Rose Ellis, Rebecca Erwin, Ashby Garst and Phoebe Stevens. (Third Row) Sidney Epperly, Hannah Welch, Alexander Baynum, Paris Eve Reinhard, Joseph Hart, Skyler Hayes, Ava Smith, Grace-Marie Mills, Hadley Chittum, Eve-lynn Deegan and Rebekah-Lynn Mills. (Fourth Row) Sarah-Dale Mills, Natalie DeForest, Jordan Hayes, Molly Deegan, Savannah Stevens, Alyssa Bradley, Tess Drzymala, Carrington Austin, Charlotte DeForest, Urmila Bharathan and Allison Yu.

“The Piano School’s Christmas and Winter Recital took place on December 18, 2010, at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Salem. The program featured forty-six young pianists, the largest number in the school’s history, from Salem, Roanoke, Fincastle and Christiansburg. All are students of Sarah Reaser O’Brien.

Twenty students received trophies for outstanding practicing during the fall term, and the youngest performer was five-year-old Zella Kathryn Poarch who has studied piano for one semester. Paris Eve Reinhard of Salem and Sarah-Dale Mills of Roanoke played harp duets before and after the program. O’Brien is a nationally certified teacher of music who founded The Piano School in 1998. The school’s upcoming events for 2011 include the third annual Masterclass for Middle and High School students with guest teacher Dr. Lise Keiter of Mary Baldwin College. The theme for this year’s class is “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.” The school’s spring recital will take place in June at Hollins University where O’Brien is an alumna.”

Submitted by Sarah Reaser O’Brien.