Bothell resident Savannah Westlund, 12, earned a National Gold Medal from the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program for scoring the top mark in the country on her Preparatory Flute assessment in the academic year ending in August 2012. Savannah’s teacher is Vicki Nurre.

“A National Gold Medal is an exceptional achievement – the result of a student’s hard work, dedication, and talent – and a testament to the skill and creativity of the recipient,” said Angela Elster, Vice President, Academic, The Royal Conservatory. “Medalists represent a national standard of music achievement upheld by support from teachers and parents of music students across America.”

National Gold Medals are awarded each academic year, Sept. 1 to Aug. 31, to Music Development Program students in Preparatory A and B and Levels 1 to 10 who achieve the highest standard of excellence in the United States. Eligible candidates must score at least 80 percent on their assessment and must have completed the co-requisite theory requirements for their respective level and discipline. Fifty-one students earned National Gold Medals, five of whom are residents of Washington State.

In addition to recognizing the top scorers in The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program, National Gold Medals honor music teachers across the United States for the time and effort put into training the next generation of great artists.

The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program provides a recognized national standard of success in music study from beginner to advanced levels. It allows students to measure and celebrate accomplishment and track their progress across the country. All students and teachers across the United States are invited to participate. For more information please visit www.MusicDevelopmentProgram.org.