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Christian Music Festival, April 6, 2024
Registration Form

Are you available to perform in the CMF Honor Concert at 3pm if invited? Required

New Heart CMF 2024 Guidelines and Information

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Eligibility

K-12 students, solo instrumentalists and vocalists

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Festival Schedule

Each performer will be assigned an approximate performance time between 9am-1pm on April 6th. The CMF Award Ceremony and Honor Concert will be held at 3pm on the same day, and all performances will be open to the public. Each registrant's solo performance time will be published on March 25th.

 

Music Requirements

One or two hymn(s) (English lyrics), Christian music arrangement, or classical sacred music not to exceed a total of 4 minutes in length. Any performance that exceeds 4 minutes may be stopped at the judges' discretion. Please bring a copy of the sheet music for our judges. We reserve the right to accept or decline the chosen music. 

 

**Performers should provide their own accompanists or soundtracks as needed. 

 

Award Categories

All participants will receive a Festival Award Ribbon, Certificate, and Judge’s Critique. Selected Blue Ribbon Recipients will receive a $50 scholarship, perform during the 3pm Honor Concert, and will be featured on our website.

 

Divisions

  • Primary Elementary: K - 2nd grade

  • Intermediate Elementary: 3rd - 5th grade

  • Middle School: 6th - 8th grade

  • High School: 9th - 12th grade

 

Rating Criteria

Participants will be judged according to musical interpretation, expression, intonation, rhythm, sound quality and stage presentation.

 

Fee

$35 per entry, non-refundable

 

Registration Deadline

Monday, March 18, 2024 (registration may close early if all spaces are filled)

 

Judges

Faculty member(s) of the New Heart Christian School of Music

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New Heart Christian School of Music Policies:

1. One parent or guardian of the performer must be present during the performer's solo performance on April 6th.

2. The New Heart Christian School of Music and New Heart Music Ministries may use photos/images of your child for future publications or promotional materials, as long as no identifying information is displayed or shown.

3. Parents are responsible for the safety of their children while on the New Heart Christian School of Music premises.

4. The New Heart Christian School of Music, together with New Heart Music Ministries, shall not be held liable for any accident, injury, loss, theft, or damage which might be sustained on our premises in conjunction with any school-related lessons, activities, or functions.

Thank you for submitting! To complete your registration, please pay the entry fee of $35.

Meet Our Teachers

Joshua Chua
Piano

Born in Malaysia, Joshua started his musical training at the age of five and received his master's degree in collaborative piano performance from the Moores School of Music under the tutelage of Timothy Hester. He has over 16 years of teaching experience and has helped numerous students achieve exceptional results in A.B.R.S.M. musical exams. An experienced church pianist, he has also taught and led workshops in various churches in Houston and Asia.

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Samuel Cho
Cello

Samuel earned his Master of Musical Arts from the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory, where he served as a Graduate Assistant. He was the former Co-Principal Cellist of the Valley Symphony, and made his solo debut with the Asociación Filarmónica Coral de Honduras. He was recognized as a National Finalist at MTNA’s Collegiate Chamber Music Competition, and received fellowships at the Juilliard Quartet Seminar, McGill International String Quartet Academy, and Norfolk Chamber Music Festival at Yale University. He has appeared with the Topeka, Fayetteville, Valdosta, and Savannah Symphony Orchestras. He has also taught at Triplains Public School, Savannah Country Day School, and String Sprouts KC.

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Jon Li
Violin

Jon received his bachelor's degree in Music Theory from the University of Texas at Austin. He was concertmaster of Region Middle and High School Orchestras, performed in Texas All-State Orchestras, and soloed with the Houston Civic Symphony. With over 20 years of teaching experience, his passion is to see students grow not only in their musical skills but in their confidence and character. He has an energetic and patient teaching style, and encourages his students to find joy in music making through a focus on technique and artistry.

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Jamie Perry
Violin

Jamie is an International recording artist, performer, and educator. Born and raised in Houston, TX, she graduated in 2014 from The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and received her bachelor's degree in 2018 from The Royal Academy of Music in London, England. Jamie currently teaches at Booker T Washington High School, the Wheeler Avenue Children’s Academy, and East End Music Lessons. She also serves as the violinist on staff at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, where she plays gospel and classical music. She has also been featured on multiple recording projects, including her own EP, “Driving Music.” Jamie believes that music education paired with performance shapes an artist, and with faith and work, can lead to a successful testimony and career. 

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Dr. Gustavo Bianchi
Piano

Dr. Bianchi received his doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin and has more than 20 years of teaching experience. In 2012, he received the Outstanding pre-college teaching achievement award from the Austin Music Teachers Association, and has performed and taught masterclasses in universities across the U.S. His lessons incorporate all styles of music, but focuses on classical genres with an emphasis on technique, theory, ear training, and musicality. He has a flexible and creative approach to teaching that is tailored to each student's needs and keeps students engaged.

Gustavo Bianchi

Rebecca Chua
Piano

Born and raised in Malaysia, Rebecca started learning piano at the age of five and received her bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from the University of Houston under the tutelage of Nancy Weems. Rebecca earned the ABRSM Grade 8 certificate with high distinction at the age of 16, and also won several piano competitions during high school. She has served as the accompanist for the Melody and Rhythm Chinese Choir, and is currently serving as a pianist at Houston Chinese Church. With over 14 years of experience teaching students of all ages and levels, Rebecca has a passion to help her students enjoy and excel in their musical studies.

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Grace Chen
Piano

Grace received her Bachelor's degree in Music from the Wenzhou Demonstration College in Zhejiang, China, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education at Columbia International University. She has over a decade of teaching experience, including serving as the Director of Teaching and Childcare at a provincial first-class kindergarten in Wenzhou, where she also taught piano. In addition, she has received training in the Kodály method and has led worship, choirs, and children's music programs. Her teaching emphasizes establishing a solid technical foundation, creativity, and a nurturing approach that inspires students to enjoy music while growing in discipline and artistry.

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Karen Lo
Voice

Karen received her Bachelor of Music with electives in Music Education from the University of Houston in the Spring of 2024. She studied under the tutelage of Dr. Betsy Cook Weber, and has performed with various choral and acapella groups such as UH's Soundscape, Rhapsody, Acabellas, and Ardore. In May 2023, she performed with the UH Concert Chorale at the Cantarode International Choral Festival in Kerkrade, Netherlands, earning third place. Karen is also currently a member of her church's worship team as a vocalist and instrumentalist.

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Hannah Hsu
Voice

Hannah is a Mezzo-soprano, Singer-songwriter, Poet, Writer and Artist. She received her BME with a Choral Emphasis from Trinity University and studied under the tutelage of Dr. Mark Covey. She was a finalist in the 2019 Rosalind Phillips Vocal Excellence Competition, and has led worship at various conferences and local churches. Hannah specializes in worship music, classical and musical theatre singing, education, and storytelling through mixed mediums of art. As a teacher, she embodies this philosophy: to create a safe and brave space for students to find and fine tune their own unique voice, so that they can grow in confidence, creativity, and musical excellence.

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Dr. Judy Wu Chung
Cello

Dr. Wu, a native of Taiwan, received her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Texas at Austin under the tutelage of  Phyllis Young. She has over 25 years of teaching experience, including as a teaching assistant in the UT String Department and String Project. She is a certified Suzuki cello teacher, and her passion is to develop programs and camps to help students reach their full musical potential. She is the pioneer of our Little Bach and MAC summer camps, as well as numerous other music competitions and festivals.

Judy Wu

Dr. Ephraim Cheng
Voice

Dr. Cheng received his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Houston under the tutelage of Elena Nikolaidi and Katherine Ciesinski. His accomplishments include winning the UH Music Competition and the Carlo Bergonzi Vocal Competition. He has over 20 years of experience teaching private lessons and group classes. He is the music pastor and one of the Founders of New Heart Music Ministries, and has led numerous worship concerts in the U.S., Asia, and Europe.

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Dr. Yen-Yu Shih
Voice & Piano

Dr. Shih received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from Arizona State University. An accomplished Mezzo Soprano and pianist, she established and served as the music director of the National Taiwan University Alumni Chorus, which performed several concerts under her direction from 2010-2012. Her teaching experience includes serving on the faculty at the Sierra Music Academy in Sacramento, and conducting vocal clinics, private lessons, and group classes to students, choirs, churches, and schools.

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Ken Li
Piano

Born and raised in Houston, Ken received his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at Rice University under the tutelage of Robert Roux, Joyce Webb, Annette Chan, and John Weems. He was awarded several top prizes and has performed with several orchestras in Texas. He has extensive experience not only as a teacher but also as a keyboardist and worship leader at Houston Chinese Church.

Ken Li

Isaque Tseng
Acoustic/Bass Guitar

Originally from Brazil, Isaque received his bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from The University of Sao Paulo. He grew up under the influence of South American music and was actively involved in his local church worship ministry from a young age. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he has taught private and group guitar lessons in churches across the U.S. and Asia. He also has extensive experience leading worship and currently serves on the worship team at Fort Bend Community Church.

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Dr. Czarina Cheng
Keyboard, Drums

Dr. Cheng received her bachelor's degree in music from the University of Hong Kong. In addition, she has a master's in business administration and a doctorate in ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary. An accomplished worship leader, pianist, keyboardist, and drummer, she has over 23 years of teaching private and group lessons in our music school. She has also written and recorded many songs, and has served in many churches in the U.S. and abroad.

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Contact Us

Thanks for contacting us! We will reply to you soon at the email address you provided.

Address

10815 Fallstone Rd

Houston, TX 77099

 

Contact

​Phone: 281-568-0831
Email: school@newheartmusic.org

School Office Hours

Mon-Fri - 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat -  9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sun - Closed

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