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Programs · National Guild

Piano Guild Auditions

The National Guild of Piano Teachers runs the country's most flexible private-studio audition system. Burns Piano Studio prepares students under a National Piano Adjudicator.

Direct answer: Piano Guild auditions, administered by the American College of Musicians / National Guild of Piano Teachers, let students perform self-selected memorized programs of 1 to 10 pieces before a credentialed adjudicator who provides a written critique. Nicole A. Burns is a National Piano Adjudicator and prepares Burns Piano Studio students at every level from Local to International.

Audition program levels

  • Local: 1–3 memorized pieces
  • District: 4–5 pieces
  • State: 6 pieces
  • National: 7–9 pieces
  • International: 10 memorized pieces — a real working repertoire

What students receive

Each adjudicator provides a detailed written report covering accuracy, interpretation, technique, and musicianship — plus a rating and certificate. The feedback is structured, professional, and meaningfully different from a teacher's own running assessment.

How CM and Guild differ

CM is a standardized California exam with multiple components. Guild is a national performance audition focused on accumulated memorized repertoire and written adjudicator commentary. Many serious Burns Piano Studio students do both — they measure complementary skills.

Nicole's national adjudicator role

Nicole A. Burns is a National Piano Adjudicator with the American College of Musicians, which means she evaluates Guild auditions for students from other studios across the country.

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