For 37 years and counting, the IU Summer Piano Academy has offered serious young pianists, between the ages 12-19, opportunities to grow musically, learn from world-class master teachers and nurturing faculty, and develop lifelong friendships. During this 2-week in-person intensive on the beautiful campus at Indiana University Bloomington, our participants enjoy:
Multiple private lessons each week
Performance opportunities
Masterclasses with world-renowned pianists
Duet coaching
Access to many faculty and guest artist concerts
Group classes
Classes on theory, analysis, and performance topics
Optional Feldenkrais class
Academy faculty
Elizabeth Yao is director of the Young Pianists Program and the Summer Piano Academy, as well as coordinator of the secondary piano program and instructor of pedagogy at the IU Jacobs School of Music. She received her Doctor of Music degree at Indiana University under the tutelage of André Watts.
Melinda Baird has served on the Piano Academy faculty since 2015, as counselor supervisor/consultant, instructor of piano and most recently as co-director. Dr. Baird is Director of Piano Programs and teacher of piano and chamber music at the Levine School of Music (Washington DC).
Tony Weinstein holds degrees from Oberlin College and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He teaches and serves on the accompanying staff at DePauw University. He is co-director of the Jacobs School of Music Summer Piano Academy, where he has been on the faculty for ten years.
Dr. Karen Taylor is the Founder/Director emerita of the IU Young Pianists Program and the Summer Piano Academy. She has given recitals in the U.S. and Europe, and has presented 125+ master classes, lectures and workshops. Her teaching honors include an IMTA Teacher of the Year citation and numerous grants for study abroad.
Christopher Harding, Chair of Piano and Professor of Piano and Chamber Music at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance, maintains an international performance and teaching career. Professor Harding’s students have achieved excellent success in festival and competition performances around the world.
Matt Gianforte has served on the Piano Academy faculty since 2004, teaching piano as well as coordinating and teaching duet classes. He is currently Associate Professor of Music at Murray State University (KY), and has performed across the U.S. and abroad as a soloist, duo pianist, and collaborator.
Ruth Morrow, DM, is the current Bolin Distinguished Chair of Piano at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX, where she teaches all things piano plus world music. With degrees in piano performance, pedagogy, musicology and philosophy, she enjoys digging deeply into music’s nuances, running, and her polydactyl cats.
Lauded for “superb playing” and “poised, alert musicianship” by the Boston Globe, American pianist Spencer Myer is one of the most respected and sought-after artists on today’s concert stage. Myer is a Steinway Artist, and Associate Professor of Piano at the Jacobs School of Music.
Meeyoun Park has taught on the faculty of the Piano Academy since 2017. A highly sought-after collaborator, duo pianist, and soloist, she has been a guest at festivals, artist series and universities across the country and abroad. Dr. Park currently serves as Associate Professor of Music at Murray State University (KY).
Gregory Sioles is adjunct associate professor of music in piano at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He was previously associate professor of piano at Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge).Sioles has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including a Fulbright Scholarship to London.
Daniel Schene is a founding faculty member of the Piano Academy. A frequent solo and collaborative pianist, he is known for his innovative programming and passionate advocacy of composers of our time, many of whose works he has recorded. Mr. Schene is Professor Emeritus at Webster University (St. Louis).
2024 Guest artists
Edward Auer, Professor of Piano at the Jacobs School, is acclaimed worldwide for his keyboard artistry, especially his Chopin interpretations. He has concertized in over 30 countries on five continents, most often in the U.S., Europe and Asia. A prizewinner in the Warsaw-Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Queen Elizabeth competitions, he is currently recording the complete works of Chopin.
Steinway International Artist Hans Boepple debuted with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at age 10 and continues to solo with orchestras of distinction and appear in recital. Professor of Music at Santa Clara University since 1978, he is an in-demand and dedicated teacher whose students have garnered over 250 state, national and international awards.
Consistently praised for her brilliant technique, tonal beauty, and superb musicianship, Canadian pianist Angela Cheng is one of her country’s national treasures. Cheng is currently on the artist faculty of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she was honored with the 2011-12 Excellence in Teaching Award.
Alvin Chow has appeared throughout North America and in Asia as an orchestral soloist and recitalist. In addition, he has performed extensively in duo-piano recitals with his wife, Angela Cheng, and his twin brother, Alan. Since 1999, he has been a member of the artist faculty at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he is currently chair of the Piano Department.
Jean-Louis Haguenauer,Professor on the Jacobs School artist piano faculty, has performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the U.S., appearing as soloist on virtually every important concert series in France as well as on French radio and television. A graduate in piano of the Ecole Normale“Cortot” (Paris) and the Geneva Conservatory, he pursued composition and musical analysis studies with Nadia Boulanger as well.
Caroline Hong, Professor of Piano at Ohio State and artistic director of the Franz Liszt (U.S.) International Piano Festival, received her training from Peabody, Juilliard and the Jacobs School. Hailed for her “expressive and powerful playing” and “formidable technique”, she enjoys a flourishing international career as a soloist, master teacher, and competition jury member.
Ingrid Matthews is Visiting Associate Professor of Baroque Violin at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, and is well established as one of today’s most respected baroque violinists, with high critical acclaim for her extensive discography. She also served as Music Director of the Seattle Baroque Orchestra from 1994 to 2013.
Emile Naoumoff, Professor on the artist piano faculty of the Jacobs School, displays the fire of Horowitz and the poetry of Rubinstein, according to one critic. A musical prodigy, Emile was chosen by Nadia Boulanger as her pupil for a decade when he was age seven.
Alexander Peskanov, concert pianist, composer and master teacher, emigrated to the United States in 1973. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Peskanov made his orchestral debut under the baton of Mstislav Rostropovich, and has since traveled the world performing, and spreading the great traditions of the Russian Piano School. Peskanov is the recipient of three special ASCAP awards.
Harpsichordist/fortepianist Elisabeth Wright is noted for her versatility as soloist and chamber musician, and for her expertise in the art of basso continuo improvisation.. Professor Emerita of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Wright is in frequent demand for master classes and seminars pertaining to performance practices of music from late 16th – 18th century.
Interested applicants should plan to submit the following required, supplemental materials after registering and paying only the $70 Non-Refundable Audition Fee
List of repertoire studied over the last 2-years. Indicate which pieces have been memorized or performed in recital
*Two pieces of contrasting character. Provide links to unedited recordings; YouTube preferred. (Note: the audition portal requires a file upload; please paste your YouTube links into a Word document or other text file and upload that file to the portal.)
Letter of recommendation from student’s principal piano teacher
ATTN: If you attended the Piano Academy in 2023, the directors may be willing to waive your audition recording requirement; please contact elizyao@iu.edu to inquire.
Fees and deadlines
Fees
Tuition: $2250
Deadlines
Application and Audition Due: April 12, 2024
Notification of Acceptance: April 20, 2024
Acceptance Confirmation: May 4, 2024
Tuition Due: May 22, 2024
Participant Forms Due: June 14, 2024
OPTIONAL: Housing and meal plans
Housing
On-campus housing is available in University Halls of Residence. Piano Academy participants will be residing in double rooms in the lovely Spruce Hall. Included in the cost of housing is a Linen Package (incl. pillowcase, top and bottom sheet, two washcloths and towels; blankets available upon request) and Meal Plan:
Double-room housing: $975
Commuter Meal Plan
This includes a program-provided daily lunch for those living off-campus.
Commuter Meal Plan: $200
How to apply
Students are encouraged to apply early. Applicants who need an early decision due to an invitation from another program should contact Dr. Elizabeth Yao, director at elizyao@iu.edu. An early acceptance from the Piano Academy is usually possible if admission is certain.
Eligibility: Accepting serious pianists, ages 12-19. Exceptionally advanced students younger than 12-years may be admitted by special permission of the director.
Application process: To apply, complete the online registration form and pay only the Non-Refundable Audition Fee - $70. If openings exist, the deadline may be extended for qualified applicants.
Audition requirements: Upon paying the registration fee, you will receive a confirmation email with a link and instructions on how to upload audition materials. (If you have registered previously and need access to the audition portal please email musicsp@iu.edu)
