About JME

 

 

A Nurturing Approach

 

No one doubts the value of reviewing a piano student’s work as long as the results are positive. But typical piano competitions benefit only a small number of students. They can be extremely traumatic experiences, especially for inexperienced students. Many parents reasonably question a system that would force children to compete as professionals.

 

JME is a piano performance evaluation program, not a “contest.” JME enables even young, beginning piano students to participate in a student-friendly evaluation — not a music competition in front of a panel of judges but rather in a one-on-one environment with a piano teacher like their own. JME objectives are to encourage participants to enjoy making music of any kind, to point out where the students are doing well (and not so well) and to encourage them to continue their studies. Many JME participants have gone on to participate in and win traditional music competitions. They attribute at least part of their success to the early beginning and positive reinforcement they received from JME.

 

 

History

 

Junior Music Experience was founded in 1982 by two Cincinnati piano teachers, Linda Henn Bergholz (left) and (the late) Lenore Wilkinson (right). They realized that while existing music competitions rewarded a few of the best performers, not much was done for the other dedicated students. In a world that encourages young people to participate in sports (and acknowledges their efforts with trophies, ribbons and so on), nothing was done to recognize similar efforts by piano students. So from JME's beginning, every participant receives a ribbon and a certificate. There are trophies, too — awards for continuing effort and awards for superior achievement. Wayne Wilkinson served as JME's original Marketing Designer, Webmaster and Database Administrator. He continued this dedicated service to JME up until the time of his death in the fall of 2008. From a beginning with 12 piano students participating at one location, JME has grown to be a twice-yearly event with more than 2000 annual entries in ten different locations. More than 100 piano teachers enter their students in Junior Music Experience evaluations, held each spring and autumn. Linda Henn Bergholz continues to serve as JME Executive Director as the organization enters its 29th year.

Geanna Schwaegerle, JME Database Administrator, Manager, Associates Program teaches piano at Cincinnati Music Academy. Since 1998 Geanna has been entering her students in JME events, noting how JME has motivated and inspired her piano students. In 2006 she began assisting in the production of JME events and in 2008 accepted a position as Manager- JME Associates Program and JME Database Administrator.

Sarah Lyons  is Coordinator of the JME Associates program.  She is responsible for the associates training and assignments, as well as accepting nominations from the teachers for a student to become an associate.  Sarah has been a Suzuki piano instructor since 1996 and her students have participated in JME events for a number of years. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Music Teachers National Association.

Funding Support		Governance
Most of JME’s financial support comes from entry fees paid by participants. However, these do not completely cover the cost of materials, awards, supplies, fees, postage, facilities and judges’ honoraria — and JME’s outreach programs (Piano Partners, music for needy students). As a result, contributions are welcome.   To pledge a gift to JME, please use our online pledge card by clicking here.   JME is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. and all contributions to JME are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.		Leadership: Linda Henn Bergholz, Executive Director.   Teachers — Judges: Over 100 Cincinnati-area teachers enroll their students in JME Evaluations. JME sincerely thanks the teachers who participate. Their support is essential to JME's success.   Location Managers: JME Location Managers, usually teachers who have previously served as judges, are volunteers who manage evaluation sites and participate in many aspects of the organization.   Associates: Recommended by participating teachers, students with extensive JME experience can become JME Associates. These volunteers assist the Location Managers at evaluations.

 

Junior Music Experience welcomes all Greater Cincinnati area piano teachers to enter their students in a JME Evaluation.
There are no membership dues, however, to maintain the high quality of JME Evaluations participating teachers are
required to judge one half day twice a year or all day once yearly.