Philadelphia International Music Festival
Piano Studies Program
June Faculty
June 20 - July 3, 2026
Svetlana Smolina
Piano Program Director
European Academy of Fine Arts,
Piano Conservatory
Dr. Mark Livshits
Faculty Pianist
Curtis Institute of Music
July Faculty
July 18 - July 31, 2026
Yu Xi Wang
Director of Keyboard Studies
Curtis Institute of Music
Hanchien Lee
Piano Faculty
University of Pennsylvania
A SUMMER PROGRAM LIKE NO OTHER
The Philadelphia International Music Festival Piano Studies Program is designed for intermediate and advanced-level pianists and includes:
- Three private lessons weekly with Svetlana Smolina and Dr. Mark Livshits in June or Yu Xi Wang and Hanchien Lee in July
- Daily morning master classes with Dr. Livshits
- Daily four-hand literature classes with Svetlana Smolina in June or Yu Xi Wang and Hanchien Lee in July
- Optional daily music classes, including a choice between: music theory, composition, music history, conducting, and choir
- Three hours of required, daily private practice
- Optional daily chamber music rehearsals
- Festival-wide solo performance opportunities
- A concerto competition through which winners perform as soloists with the New York Sessions Orchestra, the U.S. Army Field Band, or other professional or community orchestras; evening student and faculty recitals, and more.
Note: Piano Program alumni may bypass the audition process and register here. Placement audition for four-hand literature class is due May 30.
PIANO PROGRAM INFORMATION
Three weekly hour-long private lessons with our faculty pianists
Daily morning master classes with Grammy-Nominated Pianist, Dr. Mark Livshits
Daily instructional piano seminars focusing on four-hand literature with Svetlana Smolina in June, and Yu Xi Wang and Hanchien Lee in July
Daily, hour-long music class instruction, including a choice between: music theory, jazz, composition, conducting, and choir
Three hours of required, daily private practice
Weekly evening master classes
Optional daily chamber music rehearsals (additional fees apply)
A concerto competition through which winners perform alongside members of The Philadelphia Orchestra in a Winner’s Circle Concert
Weekly piano master class
Festival-wide solo performance opportunities
June Session (June 20 – July 3, 2026) faculty: Svetlana Smolina, Piano Program Director, European Academy of Fine Arts, Piano Conservatory, and Dr. Mark Livshits, Pianist, Curtis Institute of Music.
- Two-Week Program Dates – June 20 – July 3, 2026
- One-Week Program Dates – June 20 – 26, 2026 | June 27 – July 3, 2026
July Session (Two Week Program Only) with Yu Xi Wang, Director of Keyboard Studies at Curtis Institute of Music, and Hanchien Lee, Piano Faculty at University of Pennsylvania:
- Two-Week Pre-College Program Dates – July 18 – 31, 2026
Students in the Piano Studies program may attend as either: Resident Campers (Residing on campus throughout the duration of the festival), Extended Day Campers (8:45 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.), or Day Campers (8:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.). Please note that the PIMF “Extended Day Camp” fee (see registration form) includes both lunch and dinner. The PIMF “Day Camp” fee includes lunch only.
| 8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: | Full Festival Meeting |
| 9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: | Private Practice / Private Lessons |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: | Daily Piano Master Class |
| 12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.: | Lunch |
| 12:50 p.m.- 1:50 p.m.: | Piano Duet Class |
| 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: | Choice of Elective or Private Practice |
| 3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.: | Choice between Chamber Music, Private Practice, or Sporting Activities |
| 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: | Evening Student Concerts and Faculty Recitals featuring members of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Master Classes, Competitions, Off-Campus trips to Philadelphia Orchestra concert(s), Movie Night, and more! |
Entrance into the Piano Studies Program is by audition only. It is one of our most competitive programs, and fills to capacity each session. We strongly encourage you to audition early!
Audition Requirements:
- 5-10 minutes of current, well-prepared solo repertoire.
- Performances may be accompanied or unaccompanied.
- Audition recordings should include at least two contrasting pieces.
Auditions will determine:
- Program Acceptance
- Chamber Music Placement
- Master Class Invitations
- Private Instructor (in some cases)
Attending as a Resident Student:
Two-Week Resident Fee: $5,000
One-Week Resident Fee: $2,850
Attending as a Day Camper:
Two-Week Day Camp Fee (8:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.): $4,350
One-Week Day Camp Fee (8:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.): $2,500
Attending as an Extended-Day Camper:
Two-Week Extended-Day Fee (8:45 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.): $4,600
One-Week Extended-Day Fee (8:45 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.): $2,650
Please note that the Extended-Day fee includes both lunch and dinner. The “8:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.” camp fee includes lunch only.
Automated three, six, and nine-month interest-free payment plans available. Simply choose your desired option at check-out.
Do you provide transportation options to/from the PIMF summer programs?
Yes, we do! Please phone our office for more details or to schedule a pickup.
When is the audition deadline?
Auditions are processed on a rolling basis. Once spots are filled, accepted students will be placed on a waiting list. Early audition is highly recommended.
How will I know if a program is full?
Once any program is filled to capacity, a note is added to that program’s page on our website. If you do not see “Filled To Capacity” at the top of a program page, we are still accepting auditions.
How do I submit my audition materials?
PIMF uses the online portal Acceptd for all auditions. For detailed, easy-to-follow instructions, click here and choose “How to Upload Your Audition File” at the bottom of the page.
What if I need technical help with submitting my online audition materials?
Please feel free to contact Operations Director, Jake Heil, at jacob.heil@pimf.org; or contact Accept’d support directly.
What is the last date I can register for the PIMF summer music programs?
Early registration is highly recommended as enrollment is limited to 22 students. Once the program is filled to capacity, students are placed on a waiting list.
Are there any final concerts that friends and family can attend?
The Grand Finale concert for the Piano Studies Program is held on the last day of each session.
Sponsored by the Cunningham Piano Company
Cunningham Piano is your source for carefully rebuilt, restored, and refinished Steinway Pianos in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and beyond.
The Philadelphia International Music Festival thanks Cunningham Piano for a long and vibrant partnership for 20+ years that is a central part of many of our program offerings.
