Giacoletti Music Center's 48th Annual Summer Showcase and Celebration

Thank you to everyone who made Saturday such a special day! Our summer music recitals, Star Spangled Showcase, were wonderful celebrations of our students' hard work, dedication, and love of music. Students looked festive in patriotic attire and elegant concert dress, and families helped make the afternoon extra special by filling the tables with delicious refreshments, including many homemade treats.

The Vistonian is a beautiful venue, and we truly appreciated how lovely everything looked. The bright, open space created the perfect setting for an afternoon filled with music. Our students gave outstanding piano performances, violin solos, contemporary cello and piano duets, vocal and band performances, showcasing musicians of all ages. One of the most meaningful aspects of the afternoon was its multi-generational spirit. Not only did guests of all ages come together to celebrate the performances, but our performers themselves ranged from young beginners to experienced musicians, all sharing the stage and their love of music.

The concerts opened with patriotic selections, followed by a wonderful variety of musical genres, ranging from traditional folk music and renowned classical pieces to lively jazz standards, including several pieces by Laufey. While there were many memorable moments throughout the afternoon, one that stands out to me was looking around and seeing our community gathered together, enjoying the beautiful sound of the violin as it gently soared through the venue’s acoustics. What made the moment even more special was the stunning Yamaha grand piano, which served as both a beautiful centerpiece and an exceptional instrument, allowing our pianists to share their music with clarity and expression.

In addition to the performances, we were honored to celebrate many students for their accomplishments. More than 30 students were presented with their National Piano Guild Certificates, recognizing their dedication, hard work, and musical growth throughout the year. We also proudly celebrated one outstanding student, Amee S., who earned the remarkable distinction of completing her High School Diploma from the American College of Musicians while simultaneously completing an International Music Program. This exceptional achievement reflects her perseverance, commitment, and dedication to musical excellence. Her passion and musicianship were beautifully displayed in her memorable performance of The Cat and the Mouse by Aaron Copland.

We were also proud to recognize Spencer A., one of our graduating seniors, as he prepares to begin his next chapter at UC Berkeley this fall. Spencer’s dedication, musicianship, and growth throughout his years of study have been an inspiration to our studio community. We look forward to celebrating this exciting milestone with his upcoming senior recital on July 30th at 5:00 PM, held in the beautiful Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium at the Dove Library in Carlsbad, where he will share a program that reflects his years of hard work and passion for music.

We took time to celebrate some of our teachers' achievements with the Piano Guild. Miss Johnnie-Rae received a place on the Honor Roll for 2026, and Miss Kate received her Piano Guild achievement. These awards are evidence of their commitment to professional achievement and continued pursuit of excellence. These accomplishments reflect the dedication, passion, and commitment our teachers bring to music education every day. We are incredibly proud of our faculty and grateful for the inspiration they provide to our students and the entire Giacoletti Music Center community.

Our School Director and studio owner, Melinda Polino, was honored with induction into the prestigious American College of Musicians Hall of Fame. This distinction recognizes her lifelong dedication to music education, commitment to her students, and contributions to the Piano Guild community. The recognition was made even more meaningful as her daughter, Johnnie-Rae Polino, had the honor of presenting her with the framed award.

As we reflect on this special afternoon, we are reminded that music is about so much more than performances. It is about connection, growth, celebration, and the incredible community that comes together through a shared love of music.

A special thank you to The Vistonian, Oceanside Piano, LLC, our devoted teachers (yay, Team Giacoletti!), diligent students, supportive families, and everyone who helped make this event possible. Your encouragement, generosity, and love of music made this recital a memorable celebration. We are grateful to be part of such a wonderful music community and we look forward to creating many more meaningful musical memories together. We can't wait to see everyone at our next showcase!

~Melinda Polino