Tedious scales, dull warm-ups and sight reading that lasts for hours a day. For sopho-more Robin Hok, nine years of this hard work finally paid off in November when she won the piano competition of the Montana Chapter of the Music Teachers National Association competition. “Overall, I love practicing,” said Hok. “I started playing because my mom played, then I found out that I really liked it.” Hok began to play seriously when she was six years old, and says she has played since then for the challenge, the entertainment and sometimes for monetary rewards. Hok often gets hired to play at events such as Christmas parties and is currently accompanying The Children’s Choir. “I love to play (the piano),” said Hok. “It’s fun, rewarding and sometimes I even make some money.” Hok spends two hours daily practicing scales and sight reading. Six months ago Hok began taking lessons from Kay Lund, a Whitefish piano teacher who has a reputation of teaching the most advanced students in the Flathead Valley. “She plays much better than anyone I had heard before,” said Lund. “She has a gift, and she is very dedicated and focused.” Hok showed how gifted she was when she won the statewide piano competition. Eight of the state’s top pianists competed, all were juniors or seniors, except Hok. “She’s my idol,” said Hok’s friend sophomore Rebecca Dowell. “She practices a lot; she was practicing three hours a night every night before the competition.” Each contestant was judged upon technical facility, musicality and stage presence. Hok was announced as the winner on Nov. 15. “I was so excited when I found out I almost jumped through the ceiling, said Hok.” I ran down onto the stage and hugged everyone I saw on the way.” Now, Hok will go to the Northwest regional competition in Boise in January. The winner in Boise goes on to a national competition. “She practices a lot,” said Dowell. “Her mother is an incredible musician as well, so I think she probably inspired her.” For Hok, playing the piano is not just about being a state champion or making money. Her ultimate goal is to become a concert pianist and have the opportunity to travel around the world. “One of the best things is the satisfaction of being able to play what I want,” said Hok. “It’s great to be able to take a hard piece of music and play it.” |
