Elizabethtown College Music Therapy major Henry Nalker ’25 was recently awarded the Paderewski Gold Medal, a prestigious honor sponsored by the National Guild of Piano Teachers.
Henry Nalker ’25 and Associate Professor of Music Justin Badgerow (L-R)
Nalker was given the award following his piano auditions for the Guild, which took place in May of 2022 and were held at Jordan Kitts Music in Fairfax, Va.
Realizing this achievement was a long-term goal for Nalker, who has been performing a 10-piece memorized program for 10-straight years, at the Guild auditions.
“Winning the Paderewski Medal is an enormous achievement for me,” Nalker said. “I have been working toward this achievement for 10 years, and it has been a great amount of work and perseverance. I’m extremely thankful for my current piano teacher, Dr. Justin Badgerow and my former teacher, Mrs. Elaine Gallo for working with me and giving me constructive feedback on my program each year.”
At the auditions, students are judged on individual merit, by a well-qualified music professional, in the areas of accuracy, continuity, phrasing, pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, tone, interpretation, style, and technique. Nalker’s program included pieces by renowned composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Brown, Chabrier, Chopin, and Rocherolle.
“I’m so proud that Henry was awarded the Paderewski Medal,” Badgerow, an Etown Associate Professor of Music said. “It is a testament to his continued commitment to his artistry and growth as a musician. Henry has a fantastic memory and musical mind, and these auditions will help prepare him for his senior recital.”
About The American College of Musicians/National Guild of Piano Teachers
The National Guild of Piano Teachers is an organization focused on creating a non-competitive atmosphere, where students of all levels are judged solely on individual merit and musical competency in multiple areas, including tone, style, and technique.