LONGMEADOW – Owner of West Springfield’s “The Music Cellar” Ellen Buoniconti is celebrating with six of her students, Esther, Shirley, Thien–an, Benjamin, Jasmine and Lauren, as they are all going to be performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Jan. 28.

The Music Cellar has been open for 35 years, offering lessons to students both young and old. The business provides private lessons for piano, violin, viola and guitar. The six students of honor have been taking piano lessons at The Music Cellar for years; ranging from three years of lessons to nine years of lessons. In addition, their ages range from 11 to 17.

The students took part in a competition in Sharon, MA. Because of advanced technology, students were able to compete with students throughout Europe, Asia and North America.

The scoring process for the competition is simple: pianists are playing for a numbered score for themselves. The judges give students points based on articulation, clarity, voicing, overall presentation, preparation and memorization, among other categories. The students do not play against one another. If a student has reached a specific score, they’ve “won” and are able to move on to a performance at Carnegie Hall.

“I’m so proud of them [the students], of course, but I’m more interested in expanding their musical ability and letting them see what they can do with this music since it’s a universal language. When they’re backstage they meet these other children, there’s a like kind, they’re able to talk with them and enjoy each other’s company and see each other playing,” Buoniconti said. “It’s going to be a wonderful experience they’ll keep for the rest of their lives.”