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Golden Key Piano School’s May 2026 Newsletter

Dear Golden Key Piano School Community,

As May unfolds, we are grateful to celebrate all of students’ performances. We are now focusing on our annual exams and future plans.

This month, we’re sharing recital recaps, recent highlights, and a exam preparation.

1. 2026 Exam Registration

Dear Golden Key Piano School Community,

It is time to register for our annual exam.

Here is the procedure.

First check with your teacher about what week you are ready for the exam then register. We cannot accommodate a change of schedule after you registered.

Find the most appropriate time for you in the document here remember we will keep updating the links so kindly be patient.

You cannot register with your own teacher.

If you have started your lessons in January 2026 or later, you will do your exams next year.

Keep practicing, have fun and see you then!

2. Master Class

We had a wonderful master class with Timurjan Yerzhanov. Five of our advanced students participated, and we all learned so much. Congratulations to everyone who took part. We plan to continue this an annual event. Many thanks to DC Piano Company for hosting us.

3. Annual Solo Recital

Congratulations to everyone who participated in our annual recital. It was a wonderful event. It’s truly a joy to see how each and every one of you has grown and developed your musical skills.

Thank you for your feedback on the new venue—we’re very happy to hear that this change has been well received.

The videos will be available on YouTube in the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience as we take the time to upload them.

4. Staff News

One of our beloved teachers, Teacher Jeff will be performing a solo piano recital on Sunday May 24, 7:30pm at Berkeley Piano Club.
If you would like to attend, the details are as follows;

Transfigured Night, piano recital by Jeff Li
Sunday, May 24 at 7:30pm
Berkeley Piano Club
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/transfigured-night-piano-recital-by-jeff-li-tickets-1984096712678?aff=oddtdtcreator

Come enjoy an evening of piano music performed by East Bay pianist, Jeff Li.

Mark your calendars for an evening of hauntingly beautiful and poignant piano music by Sibelius, Bach, Chopin, Zwilich, Babadjanian, and the Beatles/Hiromi Uehara.

This eclectic program explores the darker sides of human experience, and the emotional undercurrents we navigate as we sail through the night.

This is the west coast premiere of this recital, which will be performed again the following week in Boston, MA at the Winner’s Concert at the 2026 Boston International Piano Competition.

Doors open at 7 pm. Admissions is free and open to the public.
Music starts at 7:30pm, lasting approx. 60 minutes with no intermission.

Thank you Harriet!

We are saying goodbye and a big thank you to our lovely Office Assistant Harriet, for all your hard work and commitment to the Golden Key Piano School family for last 6 years. We wish you the best of luck in your future.

5. Student News: College Acceptances

A special congratulations to our outstanding graduating students.

Max, a student of Katrin, has been accepted to Stanford University, Cornell and UCLA. Jaslene, also a student of Katrin, has been accepted to Brown University. Kimia, a student of Christopher, and Ryan, a student of Ketevan have both been accepted into UC Berkeley. Oleg, also a student of Ketevan has been accepted in UC Davis.

Their hard work, dedication, and musical growth over the years have been truly inspiring to witness. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and wish them every success as they begin this exciting new chapter.