Last weekend Abby and Erika had to play for the piano judges at the musical festival.  They played two duets and then they each played a solo for a different judge.  They both did GREAT!  Their duets were flawless.  It was closed judging but they let moms go in and I was so glad.  They both do really well under pressure.  When they played their solo's the judge was so impressed with each of them.  She said Abby was the first one to have her piece memorized and the first student to really show emotion and I think she was amazed Erika could play as well as she did for how young she is.  They only competed with their duets and they took 3rd place.  They were just scored on their solos and Abby took high score.  Since they placed they had to play for the awards recital that night. I was so proud of them. Things like that make listening to all the whining about practicing worth it.