Chetan Tierra Runs His First MTAC State Finals as Southern California Chair

This past month, Chetan Tierra ran the MTAC State Finals for the first time as Southern California Chair, a new position he's honored to take on. He shared the day with his co-chair from the North, Helen Jung, and together they handled judges, contestants, rehearsals, videographers, the audience, and presenting duties. It was a whirlwind of a day, and a rewarding chance to meet outstanding teachers and students from across the state.

The event features four divisions, each pitting the Northern and Southern California winners head to head, and the talent on display was exceptional across the board. In the youngest division, a 12-year-old took the top prize with the first movement of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3, played at a professional level, one of many highlights of the day.

In the high school division, Meining took first place with a forceful performance of the third movement of Rachmaninoff's Second Concerto, missing exactly one note. She studies with Hans Boepple, Chetan's own teacher from ages 12 to 18 and a longtime figure in California's piano world. Reconnecting with him at the event meant a great deal to Chetan.

Chetan's own student, Luna Lee, took second place in the high school division performing the third movement of the Grieg concerto, holding her own at that level. She was two months too old for the younger division, which points to plenty of room to grow from here.

The State Finals have mattered to Chetan since his own formative years. He won the event himself at 18, before heading off to conservatory. He's looking forward to running it for years to come.