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Piano Studies Program at the Philadelphia International Music Festival
The Philadelphia International Music Festival Piano Studies Program is designed for intermediate to advanced-level pianists and includes: three private lessons weekly with our faculty pianists (Svetlana Smolina in June, Yu Xi Wang in July, and others); daily morning master classes with guest instructors; daily instructional piano seminars focusing on four-hand literature; daily, hour-long music class instruction, including a choice between: music theory, jazz, composition, conducting, and choir; three hours of required, daily private practice; two evening master classes; optional daily chamber music rehearsals; a concerto competition through which winners are offered an opportunity to perform in the PIMF Winner’s Circle Concert, featuring members of The Philadelphia Orchestra; weekly piano master class, festival-wide solo performance opportunities; and much more!
Our June Session (June 14 – 27, 2025) is directed by Svetlana Smolina, Piano Program Director, European Academy of Fine Arts, Piano Conservatory.
Our July Session (July 12 – 25, 2025) is directed by Yu Xi Wang, Director of Keyboard Studies, Curtis Institute of Music.
Note: Alumni may bypass the audition process if attending the same program.
A summer piano program like no other!
Highlights
Session Dates
Sample Schedule
Audition Information
Fees & Payment Options
FAQ
Highlights
Three weekly hour-long private lessons with our faculty pianists
Daily morning master classes with Grammy-Nominated Pianist, Mark Livshits
Daily instructional piano seminars focusing on four-hand literature
Daily, hour-long music class instruction, including a choice between: music theory, jazz, composition, conducting, and choir
Two – four hours of required, daily private practice
Weekly evening master classes
Optional daily chamber music rehearsals
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
Session Dates
June Session (Two Week Programs) with Svetlana Smolina, Piano Program Director, European Academy of Fine Arts Piano Conservatory:
- Two-Week Program Dates – June 14 – 27, 2025
- One-Week Program Dates – June 14 – 20, 2025 | June 21 – 27, 2025
July Session (Two Week Program Only) with Yu Xi Wang, Director of Keyboard Studies, Curtis Institute of Music:
- Two-Week Pre-College Program Dates – July 12 – 25, 2025
Sample Schedule
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! |
Audition Information
Click here for more information on the audition process.
Fees & Payment Options
Attending as a Resident Student:
Two-Week Resident Fee: $4850
One-Week Resident Fee: $2750
Attending as a Commuter:
Two-Week Commuter Fee (8:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.): $4200
One-Week Commuter Fee (8:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.): $2400
Attending as an Extended-Day Commuter:
Two-Week Extended-Day Commuter Fee (8:45 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.): $4450
One-Week Extended-Day Commuter Fee (8:45 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.): $2550
Please note that the Extended-Day commuter fee includes both lunch and dinner. The “8:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.” commuter fee includes lunch only.
Automated three, six, and nine-month interest-free payment plans available. Simply choose your desired option at check-out.
FAQ
What if in-person events are restricted next summer due to COVID-19?
PIMF conducted a very successful online summer camp program in 2020. We are prepared to switch to online programming at any time, if necessary (we do not, however, expect this to be the case). Additionally, we successfully hosted two sessions in-person in 2021 with ZERO CASES of Covid-19 in any program/session.
If PIMF switches to an online platform and I do not care to participate in an online program, would I receive a full refund?
Yes, all funds paid will be refunded, less a $100 non-refundable deposit.
With whom will I be studying?
Pianists attending the June Session of the Philadelphia International Music Festival will study with Svetlana Smolina, Piano Program Director, European Academy of Fine Arts Piano Conservatory. Pianists attending the July Session will study with Yu Xi Wang, Director of Keyboard Studies, Curtis Institute of Music. All students will receive three private lessons weekly.
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.
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