Adventures in 88 Keys, a founding school of the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program, is situated in San Diego, California. The program caters to the education and development of individuals passionate about music, regardless of their status as students, enthusiasts, or patrons.
Under the guidance of Dr. Rowena Asuncion, a piano specialist and a founding teacher of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Adventures in 88 Keys offers a structured, organized, multi-dimensional, and creative approach to music education. The program encompasses all aspects of musicianship, including repertoire, technique, sight-reading, ear training, and music theory.
The studio is equipped with five pianos, including two grand acoustic pianos (Steinway & Yamaha) and an upright Steinway, as well as two professional stage Kawai digital pianos. Additionally, the studio provides an extensive collection of books, iPads, mobile devices, CDs, and audio files for reference and study.
Furthermore, Adventures in 88 Keys offers virtual lessons with a dedicated setup featuring multi-angle cameras, laptops, microphones, speakers, and other relevant equipment.
Students are encouraged to join the program and are provided with diverse performance opportunities. These include studio recitals held in the Spring and Fall, December concerts, festivals, and competitions within the San Diego region. Additionally, students are invited to participate in state events organized by the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) and national events held by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). For highly competitive students, international competitions are also available. Notably, several of her students have achieved remarkable success by participating in prestigious competitions such as the American Protégé, the CCC Toronto International Music Festival, the Elite International Music Competition, the NYMDC (New York Young Musicians Debut Competition), the Vienna Classical Competition, and the Grand Virtuoso competition. Several of her prize-winning students have graced the stage of Carnegie Hall, performing in both the Weil Recital Hall and the Stern Auditorium. Furthermore, they have had the privilege of performing at the Musikverein in Vienna.
In 2016, she established the San Diego South Chapter of CAPMT, which was recognized as the CAPMT chapter of the year in 2018 and recently as the chapter of the year for 2024. She serves as chapter chair of Piano and Ensemble Festivals, Honors Competition, and Contemporary Music Competition and is the founder of the San Diego Young Protege Competition (established in 2016). In addition to local recognition, her students have participated in numerous state-level recitals, auditions, and competitions, as well as international competitions. Her students have been accepted at prestigious music camps, such as the Interlochen Summer Arts Program. Annually, the top-performing students (First Class Honors with Distinction) from the studio are recognized by the Royal Conservatory of Music and invited to perform at the RCM California Excellence Recital. Many of her RCM students have received First Class Honors with Distinction in their RCM Assessments and have been featured in the Celebration of Excellence Recitals in California. Several of her RCM students have also received Center Certificate of Excellence Award, State Certificate of Excellence, and National Gold Medal awards. These student awards are presented annually by the RCM to recognize exceptional achievements and outstanding results in their examinations.
Ms. Maggie, as she prefers to be called, has held various leadership positions within CAPMT, including Vice President for Student Programs and Piano Auditions Chair for CAPMT District 1 for many years. Currently, she serves as CAPMT Vice President for Competitions for 2025 to 2027. Prior to this, she served as the State Chair for CAPMT Honors Competition from 2020 to 2025.
Ms. Maggie has been recognized twice as CAPMT Chapter Member of the Year and has received multiple Steinway and Sons Top Teacher Awards (2016-2024). She has also served as an adjudicator in music festivals such as the National Federation of Music Clubs.
Outside of her teaching and piano playing responsibilities, Ms. Maggie enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, hiking, and spending time with her husband and their pets: Tristan, Atticus, and Imogene. Sebastian and Schubert, who are pictured above, have passed away and are now enjoying eternal bliss in dog heaven.
Rowena F. Asuncion, piano specialist
Certified Teacher, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Levels
Founding Teacher, The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program
Owner, Adventures in 88 Keys, a Founding School of The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program (US)
Founder and Immediate Past President, San Diego South Chapter, California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) District 1
CAPMT Vice-President for Competitions, 2025-2027
State Chair, CAPMT Honors Competition, 2020-2025
Chapter Chair, Honors Competition, Contemporary Competition, Piano and Ensemble Festivals, 2016- present
Steinway and Sons Top Teacher Awardee, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Outstanding CAPMT Member State Recognition Awardee, 2023, 2020
RCM Center Representative, San Diego- Carlsbad
Active Member: Music Teachers National Association, CAPMT, NFMC, Musical Merit Foundation of San Diego, American Beethoven Society
Adventures in 88 Keys 