The Achievement Program Expands Across the United States

As the registration deadline approaches for our spring assessment session, we continue to open centers across the United States to accommodate ever-growing demand. We interviewed two of our newest center representatives, James Ramos of Redlands, California, and Garnet Ungar of Evansville, Indiana (pictured), to find out why they decided to open an assessment center and how The Achievement Program supports music students in their community.

What inspired you to open an assessment center in your community?

James Ramos: As a music educator, I believe in creating new opportunities for my students to grow. Opening an assessment center was therefore a natural fit. The Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Achievement Program offers something unique to students in my local area: access to a national standard.

Garnet Ungar: I grew up in Canada and, like many young pianists there, I went through The Royal Conservatory’s assessment system. I’ve always thought it was excellent and bemoaned the fact that there wasn’t anything comparable in the United States.

Why do you think The Achievement Program will be popular in your community?

JR: Redlands is a community heavily invested in the musical arts. It is the home of the Redlands Bowl Summer Festival, the oldest continuously running music festival in the United States.

GU: Evansville is within a three-hour drive of Nashville, Louisville, St. Louis, and Indianapolis – all large cities.

Tell us about the feedback you’ve received from local teachers and parents.

JR: Teachers are genuinely excited about the opportunity The Achievement Program brings. For some teachers, not having a local assessment center has been an obstacle to participation. Offering a location where students do not have to brave long commutes through Southern California is a welcome development.

GU: [Achievement Program Regional Leader] Kelley Benson was kind enough to visit Evansville and give a presentation to our local music teachers association, and the response was enthusiastic, especially among teachers who have experience with a structured assessment system.

How do you think The Achievement Program will complement the existing state system in your area?

JR: The advantage of individualized study is the ability to customize offerings that best fit the needs of each student. Our studio already offers students the opportunity to participate in the evaluation systems offered respectively by the California Association of Professional Music Teachers and Music Teachers Association of California – some students will also participate in one or more of these systems if it fits their pedagogical need.

GU: The Indiana Music Teachers Association uses the AIM (Achievement in Music) program, which is also excellent. Personally, I gravitate towards The Achievement Program because it’s comprehensive and offered nationwide. However, I think there is room for many assessment systems in my community, just as many systems have thrived in Canada.

Students still have time to register for an assessment – the deadline has just been extended to Monday, February 27! To register, please visit www.TheAchievementProgram.org.