In 2026, sdpa students took all three top spots in the Under-18 division at the MTAC Southern Regional, the largest competition stage in Southern California.
2026 Chopin Festival, SDPA faculty and their students won 17 of the 35 prizes.
Two freshmen from Melissa Evans Tierra's studio, Arianna Gago and Lalo Villodas, are headed to summer piano programs at Colburn Tonebase and Baylor University. Beyond the study, both are building early connections with conservatory faculty ahead of their college auditions.
