Nicholas Budny_2Twelve-year-old Princeton resident Nicholas Budny has won a certificate of excellence for scoring the top mark in New Jersey on the Level 3 Piano assessment of The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program. Nicholas received his prize at a recital and award ceremony at Carnegie Hall. His teacher is Marvin Blickenstaff.

Certificates of Excellence are awarded each academic year  to music development program students. Eligible candidates must score at least 80 percent on their examination and must have completed the theory requirements for their respective level and discipline.

In addition to recognizing the top scorers in the music development program, certificates of excellence honor music teachers across the United States.