SCF Music Program’s 2025 PianoPalooza! Festival Showcases Community Student Talent

Bradenton, Fla. Apr. 21, 2025

(Bradenton, Fla., April 21, 2025) — State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s Music Program hosted its fourth annual PianoPalooza! at SCF Bradenton in March. More than 35 students of many ages, their families, and private teachers attended. The two-day festival included a piano competition run by the Sarasota Music Conservatory, master classes taught by SCF piano faculty, a student winners’ recital, cash prizes and a community piano recital. 

The events aim to bring excitement and motivation to piano education and playing. SCF adjunct piano instructors Agnieszka Zick and Fernando Lopez facilitated the master classes, which extended beyond class times to accommodate large attendances. The competition featured a senior division for students in grades nine to 12 and a junior division for students in grades six and seven. The following winners received cash prizes and played in the winners’ recital.

Senior Division Winners:

  • 1st place – Nikhil Patel ($400)
  • 2nd place – Zoe Coppock ($300)
  • 3rd place – Leif Edoff ($200)

Junior Division Winners:

  • 1st place – Aurora Xia ($200)
  • 2nd place – Aiden Yue ($150)
  • 3rd place – Adam Mezhibovsky ($100)

The festival concluded with a community piano recital. Nineteen students studying with private teachers performed for their families and the community.

Learn more about the SCF Music Program at SCF.edu.

Photo caption: A piano student performs at SCF Music Program’s 2025 PianoPalooza! at SCF Bradenton.