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UST Piano Student to Compete at State Level
2/5/2008
UST music major and piano student Michelle Shannahan will compete in the young artist competition at the 94th Annual Texas Music Teachers Association State Convention. She won first place in the young artist category at a preliminary district competition held Jan. 19. Shannahan’s winning piano performance was a 30-minute program that included works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Rachmaninoff.
 “Winning first place was quite a surprise, but I am really excited about the opportunity it will provide for my musical career,” Shannahan said.
Shannahan is one of only six to eight students who will perform in the state competition held June 11-15 in Houston at the downtown Hyatt Regency hotel. She will represent Houston and UST in the event, which draws more than 5,000 students and family members from across Texas.
Paul Krystofiak, adjunct professor of piano, has been Shannahan’s primary instructor at UST. He is founder and director of the Houston Piano Day Camp held during the summer at the University and is also faculty adviser to the UST Mu Phi music fraternity. Krystofiak served six terms as president of the Houston Music Teacher’s Association. In 1993 he was named “Teacher of the Year” by the organization and was honored with its service award. He is currently vice president of the Chopin Society of Houston and serves on the board of directors for Houston Young Artists.
Shannahan, who performed her junior piano recital at UST in the fall of 2007, has been playing for 12 years and plans to pursue graduate and doctorate degrees in piano performance. Her career goal is to teach at the college level.
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