Kenneth Atkinson served as Piano Chair, and then Piano Chair Emeritus at CMS until his passing in 2018. During his 51-year tenure, Ken inspired countless students, colleagues and audience members alike. Each year, CMS students of all ages and levels are encouraged to participate in the Kenneth Atkinson Scholarship Competition held in March. Winners in each age category receive a $100 scholarship towards their study at CMS. An application with guidelines will be distributed to each student and teacher in February.
CMS is proud to have established a relationship with world renowned pianist Alexander Malofeev. A scholarship fund was established in his name in 2022 through generous contributions from Bud and Sandy Whistler and a number of other kind donors. The Alexander Malofeev Piano Scholarship is awarded to a CMS piano student who demonstrates a high level of musicianship and artistry through their playing, and is awarded annually. If you’d like to donate to this fund, please contact CMS.
Saturday March 22, 2025
WINNER (TIE):
pianist Bernadette Panzarella, student of Hasan Al-Mufti
pianist Benjamin Wood, student of Erica Rae Austin
Honorable Mentions:
violinist Maddie Fallon, student of Helen Butler-Ceppaglia
violist Ryan Hwang, student of Lesslie Bahler
pianist Tinashe Mulligan, student of Hassan Al-Mufti
WINNER:
pianist Oona Malczewski, student of Hassan Al-Mufti
Honorable Mentions:
pianist Freddie Fallon, student of Michael McNeill
pianist Aniyah Zimmerman, student of Erica Rae Austin
WINNER (TIE):
soprano Alma Pines, student of Maria Goodrich
violist Rachel Seo, student of Leslie Bahler
Honorable Mention:
pianist Patrick Lea-Kelly, student of Hassan Al-Mufti
WINNER:
soprano Cassandra Ranney, student of Maria Goodrich
Honorable Mention:
soprano Sage Grant, student of Maria Goodrich
soprano Gabriella McCann, student of Maria Goodrich
WINNER:
soprano Gemma Barberio, student of Jill Buerk
Honorable Mention:
trumpeter Arthur Kagen, student of Denise Peters
WINNER (TIE):
soprano Breanna Rice, student of Tediyra Barton-Harris
soprano Blair Skowronski. student of Maria Goodrich
baritone Michael Warner, student of Maria Goodrich
Honorable Mention:
mandolinist Ryan Grieco, student of Phil Banaszak
pianist Adam McCabe, student of Michael McNeill
pianist Anton Nekhai, student of Erica Rae Austin
Saturday March 23, 2024
WINNERS
Ages 8-11 TIE
pianist Patrick Lea-Kelly, student of Hassan Al-Mufti
& violist Rachel Seo, student of Leslie Bahler
Ages 12-14
mezzo-soprano Gigi McCann, student of Maria Goodrich
Ages 15-17
guitarist Victoria Wah, student of Will Brobston
Adult
baritone Michael Warner, student of Maria Goodrich
Honorable Mention
soprano Sarah Mangham, student of Jill Buerk
soprano Blair Skowronski, student of Maria Goodrich
Sunday, April 23, 2023
WINNERS
Ages 9-11 violist Rachel Seo, student of Leslie Bahler
Ages 12-14 pianist Ellie Zhu, student of Shirley Chan
Ages 15-17 pianist Kevin Lee, student of Hassan Al-Mufti
Adult tenor Michael Warner, student of Maria Goodrich
Community Music School is proud to present the 2023 Alexander Malofeev Scholarship to pianist Patrick Lea-Kelly. Patrick was selected by a panel of adjudicators from his performance on the CMS Honors Recital in June. All Honors pianists were entered to win the scholarship.
Patrick has studied piano at CMS since age 5 – first with Christina Brown and since the age of 7 with Hassan Al-Mufti.
Through Mr. Al-Mufti’s mentorship, Patrick has shown a continual progression in tackling more challenging pieces. Patrick was also the recipient of the Alexander Malofeev Scholarship in 2022 for outstanding potential and hard work. He won Honorable Mention in the Progressive Musicians Prominent Piano Competition, and was selected to perform on their Honors Recital at the Burchfield Penney Art Gallery at the end of June. Patrick lives in Buffalo, NY where he is in 5th grade at P.S. 195 Buffalo “City Honors”. There he participates in the school orchestra playing the violin. Other interests are Minecraft, baseball, skiing, and chess.
CMS is proud to have established a relationship with world renowned pianist Alexander Malofeev. A scholarship fund was established in his name in 2022 through generous contributions from Bud and Sandy Whistler and a number of other donors. The Alexander Malofeev Piano Scholarship is awarded to a CMS piano student who demonstrates a high level of musicianship and artistry through their playing, and is awarded annually.