Keita Takahashi, a second-year student at our high school, and Riko Takahashi, a third-year student at our junior high school, competed as a piano duo in the "50th PTNA Piano Competition." They advanced to the National Finals and achieved the outstanding accomplishment of winning a prize in the "Advanced Piano Duo" category.

The PTNA Piano Competition is organized by the Piano Teachers' National Association of Japan (PTNA) and supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It is one of Japan's leading piano competitions and is held annually with the aim of helping piano students improve their performance skills and musical expression while developing their artistic sensitivity through music.

This year's competition marked the milestone 50th edition, with regional preliminary rounds held at approximately 270 locations across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Approximately 27,000 entries participated in the preliminary rounds, with around 13,000 advancing to the regional finals, making it one of the world's largest piano competitions. Only a very limited number of participants advance to the National Finals, and an even smaller number are selected as prize winners, making the achievement of the two students especially significant.

The two students demonstrated the precise ensemble playing and rich musical expression unique to piano duets, earning high praise on a national stage featuring outstanding participants from across Japan. Their sincere dedication and continuous efforts to refine their musical skills while balancing their studies and musical activities led to this remarkable achievement.

Everyone at our school extends heartfelt congratulations to Keita Takahashi and Riko Takahashi on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in the future. We hope you will continue to warmly support them as they pursue new goals while maintaining their passion for music.