Twenty Starr Music Academy students participated in a musical production of Mayron Cole's Magic Meadow on August 11 at the Fort Ringgold Auditorium. The students spent their eight-week summer session learning to sing, dance, put on a show, and create sets and costumes. Starr Music Academy is under the direction of Corine Maldonado, NCTM.

Nine Starr Music Academy students participated in the 2023 Texas Music Teachers Association Conference in Waco. Each year, the conference allows music teachers and students from across the state to meet for workshops, performances, contests, and exhibits. Congratulations to the following students and their families for their commitment to music education:

Arizabella Alanis - All-Star Festival
Arora Cantu - Ensemble, All-Star Festival, Conference Project, Student Page
Laurel Cantu - Ensemble, All-Star Festival, Conference Project, Student Page
Thiago Castillo - All-Star Festival, Conference Project, Digital Keyboard Orchestra
​Raul Gonzalez Jr. - Ensemble
Lyzzette Hinojosa - Ensemble, All-Star Festival, Conference Project, Student Page
Mariely Lopez - Ensemble, All-Star Festival
Paris Millan - Ensemble, All-Star Festival, Conference Project
Jaden Reyes Ramirez - All-Star Festival, Conference Project, Student Page, Digital Keyboard Orchestra

Five students of Starr Music Academy enjoyed an exciting week of summer music camp this past June with the theme Musical Stories & Suites. Through games, art projects, writing, and listening activities, the students explored some of the greatest pieces of western classical music literature, including Billy the Kid, The Nutcracker, and The Carnival of the Animals. The camp concluded with a presentation of the projects created by the students.

RIO GRANDE CITY - Starr Music Academy presented its annual spring recital at The Party Place on May 11. Almost fifty students aged four to teens sang and played piano, violin, viola, guitar, and ukulele in ensembles celebrating the music of Texas. 

Five Starr Music Academy students participated in the Magic Valley Music Teachers Association Spring Recital on April 23, 2023 at Valley Keyboards in McAllen.

Performing from memory were Lauren Barrera, Jhaziel Gonzalez, and Dailyn Zambrano on violin and Erasmo Noe Barrera and Jesus Angel Gonzalez on guitar. These students are under the direction of Corine Maldonado, NCTM.

Five Starr Music Academy students participated in the Magic Valley Music Teachers Association Duet Jubilee on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Valley Keyboards in McAllen.

The theme of this year's event was Disney. Sisters Katherine and Sophia Hernandez played Winnie the Pooh as a piano duet. Pianist Brayden Solis played The Lion Sleeps Tonight from The Lion King with his teacher. Elliana Hernandez and Mikaela Molina. performed a violin duet rendition of Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast. These students are under the direction of Corine Maldonado, NCTM.

Twelve Starr Music Academy students received medals for their performance on the 2023 Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA) World of Music test.

According to the TMTA website, the purpose of the World of Music program is to introduce students to music history through the study of composers lives, music, and composition styles. TMTA produces 12 levels of World of Music books  Each book contains all of the content needed to be successful on the corresponding test. Registered students are tested in the spring semester, and those who receive a 90% or higher receive a gold medal.

Receiving a gold medal were Arizabella Alanis, Italia Barrera, Lauren Barrera, Erasmo Noe Barrera, Thiago Castillo, Arora Cantu, Lyzzette Hinojosa, Mariely. Lopez, Adalyn Perez, Chaniel Santiago, Brayden Solis, and Jimena Trevino. They study under the direction of Corine Maldonado, NCTM.

Six Starr Music Academy students were selected to be members of the Magic Valley Music Teachers Association (MVMTA) Ensemble Teams for 2023.

To be accepted into one. of the teams, students were required to pass the Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA) Theory Test and perform in an audition. Selected students attended sectionals and daily rehearsals culminating in a costumed performance representing MVMTA at the TMTA Conference in Waco in June.

The Starr Music Academy students who were selected to represent MVMTA as members of the Ensemble teams are Arora Cantu, Laurel Cantu, Raul Gonzalez Jr., Lyzzette Hinojosa, Mariely Lopez, and Paris Millan. They study under the direction of Corine Maldonado, NCTM.

Three Starr Music Academy students were awarded Whitlock Theory Medals for their performance on the Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA) Theory Test administered this past February. 

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. The Whitlock Theory Tests are named in honor of Dr. E. Clyde Whitlock, a charter member of TMTA and a distinguished music educator and adjudicator. Each year the TMTA Theory Committee prepares tests for levels 1-12 using the guidelines set forth in the Student Affiliate Theory Syllabus and Student Manual. TMTA's local associations administer the tests each fall and spring in a professional atmosphere. Students receiving a 90% or higher will receive a medal.

Brayden Solis received a Bronze Whitlock Medal on the level 1 test, and Arora Cantu earned a Bronze Whitlock Medal on the level 8 test. Jimena Trevino was awarded a Silver Whitlock Medal on the level 3 test. In addition, Jimena earned a Division Award for receiving medals on her level 1, 2, and 3 tests.

In total nineteen Starr Music Academy students took this years' theory test, and all received a passing score. Starr Music Academy is under the direction of Corine Garcia Maldonado.

Starr Music Academy presented two recital programs on Tuesday December 20 at the Roma ISD Performing Arts Center Auditorium. Forty-eight students age four to seventeen gave solo and group performances on piano, violin, viola, voice, and guitar. Starr Music Academy is under the direction of Mrs. Corine Garcia Maldonado.