Music Student of the Month, June 2025

Congratulations to Zach V.

Music lessons are an integral part of children’s education as a whole. Music teaches MANY skills to a growing child that will serve them well throughout life. For one, children learn discipline. The act of routinely practicing is not an easy skill to master. The act of practicing can be summed up as repeating a task over and over until it can be done with minimal mistakes. Learning this discipline not only takes time, but patience-another skill that is learned with music. Then there is the physical hand-eye coordination and development of fine motor skills. This skill can come a little more easily for some students as opposed to others. But all students eventually get to a point where only continued practice can further their ability. This dedication will build the technique to play more challenging pieces. Other skills learned are reading music (which is really learning a new language), ear training, and building self-confidence through achievements.

Besides the tangible skills gained, music lessons exposes children to the arts. They become active participants that engage their minds and emotions. Students learn that performing music with feeling and expression is a gratifying experience. In order to do so, students must blend their technical ability with knowledge about what emotions a piece of music is trying to evoke. This leads to character development in students that is important to help them grow emotionally. It can become an outlet for students to deal with the stresses of daily life.

Music Lessons Spark A Passion

For other students, music takes on a whole new life of it’s own. This is the case for SMMC student Zach V. Zach started taking piano lessons at SMMC as a very young child aged either 6 or 7. Zach has remained enrolled in music lessons ever since which is between 7-8 years. And now as a 14 year old high school student, Zach not only plays the music of other composers, he writes his own! Zach is an active composer who has released albums available on streaming platforms. We invite you to check out his music on Spotify by visiting: https://open.spotify.com/album/6N8kYI6mfNHOHALixhHE1b

Last month in May, Zach was one of the featured composers for Pasadena Chorale‘s “Listening To The Future” concert series. In this series, high school composers study the art of composing and arranging chorale music that culminates in a live performance of the students work. SMMC owners John & Sisilia Axume along with Zach’s instructor Dr. Ghahremani had the privilege of attending the concert in May featuring Zach’s composition! This is the first time an SMMC students was featured as a composer with any musical organization!

In His Teachers Words

Zach currently takes piano lessons from Dr. Cameron Ghahremani. Dr. Ghahremani has been teaching music with SMMC since April 2017! He holds a Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music, a Master’s in Orchestral Trumpet Performance from McGill University and a Doctoral of Musical Arts from the University of Miami. Mr. Ghahremani teaches all brass instruments in addition to piano. Many of his students participate in ABRS testing and have performed in numerous recitals held by our Center.

Of Zach, Dr. Ghahremani writes, “I had the pleasure of teaching Zach on and off for many years as a substitute prior to becoming his regular teacher in 2021. Even at an early age, I could tell he had such an affinity for music and an impeccable ear. He immediately understood tonal centers, scales, and modes when they were introduced to him and every lesson we had was centered around his curiosity for the music he was exposed to or new songs he wanted to learn. Zach has always brought a distinct style to his performances and creative work. Regardless of the circumstances, he has remained true to his artistic vision in his compositions, arrangements, and performances—an extraordinary trait in any artist. I am overjoyed by the fact he has been given such an opportunity to express his art through composition and given a platform to present it. He is not only an inspiration for me as a teacher but as an artist in general and I can’t wait to see what he has to show us next.”

Zach’s Composition Performed By The Pasadena Chorale

We invite you to listen to Zach’s original composition as performed by the Pasadena Chorale! Check it out below.

In His Own Words

Time for the “Q & A” portion of our blog! We asked Zach to answer a few questions for us so we can learn a bit more about the man behind the composer. Here is what Zach had to say:

1. How long have you been writing music and how did you get started doing it?
“Well, I mean, if smashing random keys counts as ‘writing music’, then I’ve been writing music for a big chunk of my life. And I don’t think that I can pinpoint when I started writing. It just- happened i guess.”

2. How do you find inspiration for the music you write?
“As with everything these days: the Internet. And just- being alive here and now.”

3. What is the piece “A True Story” about and how did it come about?
“So, fun fact, “A True Story” is based on a second-century Greek satire that is known as the first science fiction book :D”

4. If any, who are some of the artists you look up to for piano/composition and why do you like them?
“Obviously, for piano, SMMC inspires me-no explanation needed. And for composition, I’d say our mentor composer, Jen Wang. I mean, she worked with all of the students to make sure that all of our pieces were the best they could be.”

5. What is your favorite food, movie/tv show, video game, etc.?
“Food: Donuts.  Movie: I don’t know, but I’m just going to say Oceans 11.  TV: The Good Place.  Video Game: Mars Horizon.  Board Game: Monopoly”

6. Besides music, what do you like to do in your free time?
“Relax, write, and make music.”

7. What have you done this year that you consider to be the most fun you’ve had all year?
“If we are talking about the calendar year, then going on an Alaskan cruise last summer. If we are talking about the school year, then the final day of school.”

Those are some unique answers Zach-thank you for sharing! Congratulations from everyone at SMMC.

Start Your Own Music Lessons At SMMC!

If you are ready to get yourself or your child started on their musical journey, our wonderful teachers are eager to work with you. SMMC teachers are degreed educators with years of experience. Whether you are a beginner, have not played for years, or looking to make the jump to intermediate or advance level, our teachers have the tools to help you achieve your ambition! Book a trial lesson today!