EAMA Students Perform at Sydney Opera House and The Piano, Christchurch
European Academy of Music and Art (EAMA) students at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia, June 23, 2026
Twelve talented young pianists from the Washington DC metropolitan area performed at the Sydney Opera House in Australia on June 23, 2026 and at The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts in Christchurch, New Zealand on June 26, 2026. In a single week, they presented demanding classical repertoire at two of the Southern Hemisphere's most celebrated concert halls.
These pianists, ranging in age from 11 to 17 and hailing from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, are dedicated students of Dr. Bella E. Oster at the European Academy of Music and Art in Silver Spring, Maryland. All have been named 2026 Winners of the International Association for Musically Gifted Children's International Piano Contest, an honor that recognizes their artistry, discipline, and passion for music. Many began their studies at EAMA as early as age three.
A Dedication to Percy Grainger
The Sydney concert was dedicated to Percy Grainger, the Australian-born pianist and composer. Grainger's piano transcriptions of Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Rachmaninov, and Schumann ran throughout both programs, alongside works by Beethoven, Chopin, Saint-Saëns, Liszt, and others.
"Dedicating our Sydney concert to Percy Grainger felt right," said Dr. Bella Eugenia Oster, Principal and Professor of Piano Performance at EAMA. "His arrangements run through our students' repertoire, and to honor an Australian master on Australian soil, performed by young pianists from Maryland, speaks to what classical music does best. It crosses every border."
The Venues and Their Significance
The Sydney Opera House is among the most recognized buildings in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its concert halls have hosted the leading performers of every generation since it opened in 1973, and an invitation to its stage marks a substantial milestone in any musician's development.
The Piano, a purpose-built concert hall in central Christchurch, opened in 2016 as part of the city's rebuilding after the Canterbury earthquakes and celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. The venue has become the home of classical music performance on New Zealand's South Island.
The Program
The repertoire included Grainger's concert transcriptions of movements from Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, Grieg's Piano Concerto, Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2, and Schumann's Piano Concerto, works that translate full orchestral scores to a single instrument and are typically performed by conservatory-level musicians. The programs also featured Beethoven sonatas, Liszt's Mephisto Waltz No. 1, Saint-Saëns/Liszt's Danse Macabre, and Chopin's Ballade Op. 38.
Each student prepared their repertoire over a full year of study with Dr. Oster, whose five decades of experience in teaching classical music guide students toward the technical skills and musical understanding this repertoire requires.
Context and Background
These performances continue a pattern of EAMA students appearing at prestigious international venues. Previous student performances have taken place at Carnegie Hall (NY), Royal Albert Hall (UK), Teatro Colón (Argentina), Bastille Opera House (France), Dubai Opera (UAE), Musiikkitalo (Finland), Harpa Concert Hall (Iceland), and numerous others.
"A team isn't a crowd of people all doing the same thing," said a parent of one of the performers, speaking at the Sydney concert. "It's a group of individuals, each mastering their own part, and it's exactly that individual excellence, offered up to the group, that lifts everyone."
Educational Approach
The students' ability to perform at this level reflects EAMA's comprehensive approach to piano education. The curriculum combines advanced technical training with music theory education and regular local, national, and international performance opportunities. Students receive individual instruction tailored to their abilities and developmental stage, with programs serving ages 3-18.
Beyond Performance
EAMA students have gained admission to elite universities including Harvard, MIT, Yale, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, Duke, and UC Berkeley. The academy's approach emphasizes both musical excellence and academic preparation, reflecting Dr. Oster's belief that musical education develops concentration, discipline, and analytical thinking that benefit students in all areas of study.
What This Means
For parents considering serious music education for their children, these performances demonstrate what becomes possible with appropriate instruction and dedication. Students who walked onto the stage of the Sydney Opera House in June began their studies the same way every EAMA student does: with a first lesson, often at a very young age, and consistent practice under expert guidance.
The performances also reflect the level of musical instruction available in the Washington DC metropolitan area, where students can receive training that prepares them for international performance opportunities.
Interested in learning more about EAMA’s programs and how your child can develop their musical abilities? Contact us to discuss our comprehensive classical piano education approach and discover what’s possible for your young musician.