PARELLO & VEVERKA COMPETITION WINNERS
JUNIOR DIVISION
First Place: Anthony Adduci, student of Dr. Anne Marie Kuhny
Second Place: Yimo Wang, student of Jue He
Honorable Mention: Stephanie Tang, student of Sejeong Jeong
Honorable Mention: Sydney Zirkle, student of Wen Rudnick
SENIOR DIVISION
First Place: Kevin Xue, student of Jue He
Festival and Competition Details
FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2026
HONORS RECITAL: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH, 2026, 2:00 PM
LOCATION: REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH, HINSDALE, IL
For over 60 years, the Western Springs Music Club has hosted an annual piano festival and competition. They both take place on a Saturday, with the honors recital happening on Sunday a week later.
Students may choose to enter the Nola Gustafson Piano Festival or the Parello-Veverka Competition prize money from $150-$300.
Registration deadline is January 10, 2026. However, once we reach our maximum number of participants, registration will close, so please register early!
PARELLO-VEVERKA COMPETITION INFORMATION
Entry fee is $30 for the Parello-Veverka competition, and the registration deadline is January 10, 2026.
JUNIOR DIVISION (Age 14 or under as of 9/1/2025)
Note: Former first place winner in the Junior Division may only play in a level of the piano festival or competition in the Senior Level.
First Prize: $250.00 Second Prize: $150.00
SENIOR DIVISION (Pre-college student age 18 or under as of 9/1/2025)
Note: Former first-place winner in the Senior Division may only play in a level of the piano festival.
First Prize: $300.00 Second Prize: $200.00
PERFORMANCE: Two compositions played from memory, consisting of the first or last movement of a sonatina or sonata of any period, as well as a contrasting piece from the Baroque, Romantic or 20th and 21st-century periods. No repeats should be taken, and the judge may move the student along to the second piece at his or her discretion. Transcriptions are not acceptable and no illegal photocopying, which will result in disqualification.
NOLA GUSTAFSON PIANO FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Entry fee is $25 for the festival, the registration deadline is January 10, 2026.
Students will prepare two pieces of music chosen from the standard classical repertoire, closely aligning with the AIM and RCM catalogs, and selected by their own teacher. The requirements for the festival are that both pieces must be contrasting in style and character and must be played from memory. Each student will receive constructive feedback from the judge, along with a numeric score. Those scoring the highest are selected to play on the honors recital, which is open to the public. This is a wonderful performance opportunity for your pianists in a warm, encouraging environment.
We look forward to hearing your students make beautiful music!
Nola Gustafson 1938-2021
Nola Ilene Gustafson was a renowned classical pianist and teacher and a member of WSMC for 53 years. During that time, Nola was always heavily involved with the club, including serving as president in the 1980’s. She was a performing member who was always featured multiple times per season as both a soloist and collaborative artist. Nola was very much in-demand every season, as her pianistic skills were nearly flawless. Highlights of her excellent training were a BM in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Master of Music in Piano Performance earned under the world-famous Menahem Pressler at Indiana University. For more than 50 years, Nola was at the helm of our annual piano festival. She was passionate about classical music of all kinds. Nola gave of herself in time and talent and strived to make the piano festival the best possible experience for our young pianists. Nola was a caring and devoted piano teacher who loved her students dearly and touched so many lives. We are honored to carry on the festival in her name.