MTAC Senior Medallion 2008

BRIAN VILLA , Recipient of Music Teachers' Association of California, Glendale Branch, Certificate of Merit SENIOR MEDALLION 2008

May 17, 2008
AN EVENING OF AWARDS
First United Methodist Church, Glendale, CAq

by Cora Coo

It is my pleasure to introduce Brian Villa, who has been my piano student for the last 7 years.

When Brian was at the Aldama Elementary School, he played both the piano and the violin and was in the school orchestra for 3 years. It was also during this time when he was chosen to play a piano concerto with a Chamber Orchestra, performing at the Alex Theater.

Brian has taken CM tests for at least 8 years, and has participated in the Piano Guild Auditions since 2002. This year, he took the Music Achievement Award exam for the 2nd time. He has always been in the Top-Talent Circle in the Guild auditions, and awarded Honors in the CM and M2A tests. He has also qualified for Convention recitals , several times but will participate for the 3rd time only, at the coming MTAC Convention in Riverside.

Brian uses his musical gifts for community service, organizing music programs for convalescent homes during Christmas time. He also plays the piano for church and performs as soloist and accompanist for recitals.

Brian is currently the Student Body President at BRAVO MEDICAL MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL in East LA, with 1600 students. Throughout his 4 years there, he has been an officer: class Vice president, in 9th and 10th grades, Student Body VP in 11th grade. For the last 2 years, he has been in the School Site Council.

Brian is a member of the National Honors Society and the California Scholarship Federation. He has been coordinator of the Renaissance Academy Rally for the last 2 years, and won 1st place in the USC Bravo Science Fair in Plant Biology.

In the academics, Brian has always been an honor student, with a weighted GPA of 4.22. He has been an AP (Advanced Placement) Scholar since 10th grade and has taken college courses such as Biology, Calculus AB and BC, Statistics and Government.

Brian has also received a Citizenship Award, and is a scholar athlete as well. He is an athlete in Cross Country and Track and Field. He made it to the Varsity team and has been in it since 10th grade. This year, his Varsity Cross Country team (with 7 members) was named the undefeated League Champions. They made it to the City Finals. He has run the LA Marathon 4 times, as part of the SRLA (Student Run LA) and was voted MOST INSPIRATIONAL RUNNER.

Besides all these, Brian worked (with pay) every summer, as tutor for the Jaime Escalante Math program in East Los Angeles College.

He has been accepted at several schools for the next school year, but has selected UC Berkeley in Northern California for his undergrad studies . He will major in Civil Engineering and minor in Music.

CONGRATULATIONS, Brian! I wish you God’s richest blessings as you start a new phase in your life. With your passion for excellence, an analytical mind and a desire for a balanced life and heart for helping and sharing with others, I’m sure, you will succeed. We’ll miss you in our recitals, Brian. Whenever you’re around during our quarterly recitals, you are always welcome to join our performances.