MARYVILLE MUSIC ACADEMY

The Maryville Music Academy Student of the Year Award recognizes one exceptional student who demonstrates consistent practice, dependable attendance, musical growth, preparation, dedication, and a positive attitude.

The award is not simply given to the most advanced musician. Students of every age, instrument, and experience level have an opportunity to qualify. Each student is considered according to their individual progress, effort, consistency, and commitment to learning.

The 2026 Student of the Year Relaunch!

Maryville Music Academy is officially bringing back the Student of the Year Award!

Because the award is being reintroduced during 2026, the first official tracking period will run from September 1 through November 30, 2026.

To qualify for the 2026 Student of the Year Award, a student must:

Have completed at least six consecutive months of lessons at Maryville Music Academy by November 30, 2026.

Remain actively enrolled when the award selection is made.

Meet the attendance, PracticeSpace, assignment, progress, preparation, and character expectations listed below during the official tracking period.

Continue following all Maryville Music Academy policies.

The 2026 Student of the Year will be selected and announced in December 14-18, 2026.

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Student of the Year Award will follow a complete January 1 through November 30, annual tracking period.

How to Become Eligible

Students who want to be considered for the Maryville Music Academy Student of the Year Award should follow all of the expectations below.

Use PracticeSpace Every Week

PracticeSpace is Maryville Music Academy’s official platform for student assignments, practice tracking, lesson materials, and musical goals.

Students should:

Review their new PracticeSpace assignment after every lesson.

Use the PracticeSpace timer to record practice sessions.

Follow the practice goals established by their instructor.

Review instructor notes, videos, music, and supporting materials.

Complete assignments before the next lesson whenever possible.

Mark an assignment complete only after the required work has been finished.

Practice consistently throughout the award period.

Students should meet their instructor-assigned PracticeSpace goals during at least 80% of their active lesson weeks.

Practice expectations may differ according to the student’s age, instrument, experience, school schedule, and individual learning needs. Students are evaluated on consistency and effort—not simply on who records the greatest number of practice minutes.

Attend Lessons Consistently

Consistent attendance is essential to musical progress.

Students should:

Attend every scheduled weekly lesson.

Arrive on time and ready to begin.

Bring all required books, music, and materials.

Avoid last-minute cancellations.

Have no unexcused absences or no-shows.

Provide more than 24 hours’ notice whenever a lesson must be missed.

Complete the custom video lesson and related PracticeSpace assignment provided for an approved absence.

Academy closures and instructor cancellations will not count against a student’s eligibility. Documented illnesses, emergencies, and exceptional circumstances may be reviewed by Maryville Music Academy management.

Complete Weekly Assignments

Students should make a sincere effort to complete the assignments provided by their instructor.

This includes:

Practicing assigned songs, exercises, and techniques.

Working toward the goals listed in PracticeSpace.

Applying corrections and feedback.

Asking questions when instructions are unclear.

Continuing to work when an assignment becomes challenging.

Taking responsibility for unfinished assignments.

Showing improvement from one lesson to the next.

Demonstrate Musical Growth

Students are evaluated according to their individual starting point and the progress they make.

Musical growth may include:

Improved technique, tone, rhythm, pitch, timing, or expression.

Mastering instructor-assigned songs or exercises.

Becoming more confident during lessons.

Becoming more independent when learning music.

Advancing toward personalized musical goals.

Completing increasingly challenging assignments.

Applying skills learned during previous lessons.

A beginner who demonstrates outstanding growth and dedication has the same opportunity to qualify as an advanced student.

Arrive Prepared to Learn

Student of the Year candidates should demonstrate dependable preparation.

Students should:

Bring required lesson materials.

Review assignments before arriving.

Know what they practiced during the week.

Arrive ready to focus and participate.

Accept instruction and correction positively.

Apply what they have learned.

Take responsibility for their progress.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

The Maryville Music Academy Student of the Year should represent the values of our Academy.

Students should:

Treat instructors, staff members, other students, and families respectfully.

Maintain a positive and cooperative attitude.

Demonstrate honesty when recording practice.

Care for Academy instruments, equipment, and facilities.

Encourage other students.

Respond positively when learning becomes difficult.

Represent Maryville Music Academy well during lessons, performances, and activities.

Participation in recitals, concerts, PracticeSpace challenges, workshops, band programs, and other Academy activities may strengthen a student’s overall record. However, performance participation is not required when circumstances prevent it.

How Parents Can Help

Parents and guardians play an important role, especially for younger students.

Parents can help by:

Setting aside a consistent weekly practice schedule.

Helping students access PracticeSpace.

Making sure students use the PracticeSpace timer correctly.

Reviewing weekly assignments with their student.

Encouraging students to complete assignments before the next lesson.

Making sure students arrive on time with the correct materials.

Communicating with the Academy when an absence is unavoidable.

Encouraging effort without completing the student’s work for them.

PracticeSpace records should always reflect the work the student actually completed.

Start Working Toward Student of the Year

Every lesson, assignment, and practice session is an opportunity to grow.

Students who want to qualify should attend their lessons, arrive on time, use PracticeSpace consistently, complete their assignments, and give their best effort each week.

Meeting the eligibility requirements allows a student to be considered for the award but does not guarantee selection.

The Maryville Music Academy Student of the Year Award is earned through consistent dedication—not through one performance, one test, or one month of practice.

Good luck to all Maryville Music Academy students working toward this special honor!