Get a violin that will set your student up for success here! If your student is starting on a smaller instrument we recommend renting until they reach full size.

Students will use the studio’s pianos during class, but each student needs a keyboard at home on which to practice.


WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A KEYBOARD


Which keyboard to purchase will all come down to how much you want to spend. Please note that these keyboard features are not required. These are suggestions for what features to inquire about when purchasing your keyboard:

1. FULL-SIZE KEYS: Keys are the width of real piano keys.
2. TOUCH-SENSITIVE KEYS or VELOCITY-SENSITIVE KEYS: Key sounds soft when pressed lightly and sounds loud when pressed hard.
3. MUSIC RACK: Holds up the music book
4. BUILT-IN SPEAKERS: Keyboards and digital pianos should have built-in speakers; synthesizers will not.
5. DAMPER PEDAL JACK: Pedal is usually sold separately.
6. “TRUE PIANO SOUND” or “GRAND PIANO SOUND”
7. WEIGHTED KEYS: Feels like you are pressing down a real wooden piano key instead of a light piece of plastic.
8. AT LEAST 61-KEYS: The more keys the keyboard has, the longer a student will be able to use it. A 61-key piano will suffice through about the 6th year of piano.
9. FEW BELLS-AND-WHISTLES: Many keyboards come with a lot of features that you don’t need, such as 500 instrument sounds, MIDI interface, or 300 prerecorded songs. I recommend that you spend your money on the quality of the keyboard, rather than the number of bells and whistles.
10. STAND AND BENCH: To get the best posture it’s important to have your keyboard on an adjustable stand and have a bench at the proper height. Smaller students may need a stool if their feet do not reach the floor. Avoid having the keyboard on a table or bed since this will create bad posture and position habits.

Get a keyboard package that meets all these criteria here!

​Sixteen Starr Music Academy students of Mrs. Corine Maldonado received medals from their performance on the Texas Music Teachers' Association Whitlock Theory Test. The purpose of the Theory Test is to evaluate students’ musical knowledge of and the ability to apply theory, aural, and musicianship concepts across a broad musical spectrum.
Congratulations to the following students and their families for a well-deserved achievement!
Silver Medal: Katherine Hernandez, Leila Martinez, Carolyn Salinas, Kennedy Salinas, Jimena Treviño
Bronze Medal: Arizabella Alanis, Laurel Cantu, Elliana Hernandez, Paris Millan, Mia Ramon
Achievement Medal: Italia Barrera, Arora Cantu, Thiago Castillo, Joseph Garza, Lyzzette Hinojosa, Mariely Lopez

Faith Garza began piano lessons in her first year of high school and has been a stellar student. Now poised to graduate in the top 20 of her class at Rio Grande City High School, Faith has a myriad of musical accomplishments to add to her resume. Each year, she received a superior rating at the Magic Valley Music Teachers Association (MVMTA) Festival and qualified for the state All-Star Festival. Faith is a four-year member of the MVMTA Ensemble teams and earned medals in the Texas State Music Teachers Association Theory and World of Music tests.

Besides her prowess as a pianist, Faith has excelled academically. She was a recipient of the prestigious Impact Scholarship from the University of Texas Austin, where she will begin studies in aerospace engineering this fall. Faith has been an active member of the Rio Grande City Mighty Rattler Marching Band color guard and her school's robotics and UIL science teams, the Starr County Youth Coalition, student council, book club, National Honor Society, and 4H.

Faith's outstanding success as a musician and the valuable skills she's learned as a multitalented performer will serve her well in the next chapter of her life. The Starr Music Academy family is proud of her and can not wait to see what she accomplishes next!

Leslie began piano lessons at Starr Music Academy during her first year of high school. She is now poised to graduate this May from Early College High School, having already earned her Associate's Degree from South Texas College in multidisciplinary studies.

Leslie has excelled in her piano studies. Besides her enthusiastic participation in Starr Music Academy's studio recitals, she has been an active member of the Texas Music Teacher's Association Student Affiliate, earning three theory medals, a World of Music medal, and being a four-year member of the Magic Valley Music Teacher's Association Ensemble program. She has earned a Superior rating on her piano solo performance each year at the MVMTA Festival and has won an All-Star medal at the TMTA state convention twice.

In addition to piano, Leslie has been active in her school and community. She was the captain of the RGCHS Band Colorguard, and she placed at the district UIL meet in Lincoln-Douglas debate. She represented her church community as parish queen and is an active leader of her church youth group. Leslie has also participated in the book club, student council, and the National Honor Society.

After graduation (and her senior piano recital!) Leslie plans to major in biochemistry and become a clinical immunologist. The skills she has developed as a busy but well-organized student musician will help her on her journey to fulfill her dreams.

Thirty-five students of Mrs. Corine Maldonado from Starr Music Academy participated in the studio's winter recitals on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at the Roma ISD Performing Arts Center Auditorium.

Students age four to adult, who have been studying music anywhere from four months to over five years performed solos on piano, violin, viola, voice, and guitar. "Today, we are not only celebrating the fact that your children are learning to play instruments, but that they are willing to share this gift with others," Mrs. Maldonado told the audience. "It is not an easy task to perform in public, and the confidence that these children are building by learning to do this from a young age is so valuable."

Mrs. Maldonado wishes to thank the Roma Independent School District and Mr. Jaime Escobar and the Performing Arts Center staff for the generous use of their facilities. "It speaks volumes of the commitment of our community to music education and the arts," she said.

Twenty-eight Starr Music Academy students were awarded medals at the 2021 MVMTA Festival program. To participate, students were required to memorize a selection from an approved repertoire list and perform for an adjuticator. Students were rated on their performance and received feedback to help them improve. Students awareded a gold medal qualify for the Texas Music Teachers Association All Star Festival to be held in Dallas this summer.
Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding performances:

Gold Medal:
Cello: Emma Escobar
Guitar: Joseph Garza, Lyzzette Hinojosa, Nalanie Peña
Piano: Arizabella Alanis, Italia Barrera, Arora Cantu, Fernando Cantu, Laurel Cantu, Thiago Castillo, Emma Cantu, Leslie Favela, Faith Garza, Katherine Hernandez, Dawn Isidro, Mariely Lopez, James Margo, Leila Martinez, Paris Millan, Mia Ramon, Jimena Trevino
Violin: Izcalli Guajardo, Elliana Hernandez, Mikaela Molina, Chaniel Santiago
Voice: Gabriella Margo, Ella Soto

Silver Medal: Mailany Martinez (Piano)

Seven Starr Music Academy students participated in the Magic Valley Music Teachers Association Boys & Girls Recitals on October 17, 2021 at Valley Keyboards in McAllen. MVMTA hosts this event each year for member teachers to showcase some of their exceptionally prepared students.
Congratulations to Crystal Gonzalez, Izcalli Guajardo, Mariely Lopez, Mia Ramon, Carolyn Salinas, Kennedy Salinas, and Ella Soto for the outstanding performances!