Axe ’Em, Jacks!
2024 dates and details
July 14–19
Featuring artist faculty:
- Deborah Moriarty, Professor of Piano and chair of the keyboard area at the Michigan State University College of Music
- Mario Ajero, Professor of Piano Pedagogy at SFA
- Minhae Lee, Assistant Professor of Piano at SFA
The SFA Summer Piano Institute is a week-long summer program for middle school, high school and collegiate pianists. The program offers you the opportunity to experience:
- private lessons and masterclasses with piano faculty members
- coaching on piano duets or ensembles
- and supplemental classes in technique and history for improving your overall musicianship.
Performance classes will help you prepare for performing on stage in a supportive environment, while individual time in practice rooms between lessons will be given to refine your repertoire.
The week culminates in performing in a duet/ensemble concert on Thursday, and a final solo recital on Friday in one of our concert halls.
2024 registration opens late January
Pricing information
- Full camp: $575 (double occupancy) or $600 (single occupancy)
- Includes meals and lodging
- Commuter: $425
- Includes lunch
Application and acceptance
Complete the online application (available late January) and include links to videos from your audition repertoire that showcase two contrasting musical selections (for example: Beethoven Sonata and Chopin Etude.)
You also must pay the $100 deposit online (link available late January) by May 1.
Applicants will be notified by June 1 of acceptance. If you're not accepted into the institute, you'll receive a full refund on your deposit.
Accepted applicants must pay their remaining balance by June 14.
Accepted: completing your registration
Complete your registration and pay your balance by June 14 through School of Music's secure marketplace store. All major credit cards are accepted.
You also must complete required documents and submit them by email or mail.
Documents, schedule and additional information
Required documents to submit
Complete the following documents and email them to ajeromp@sfasu.edu or turn them in when you arrive for check in. All parent/guardian signatures are required to be included when applicable.
Statement about health and safety
All students, faculty, and staff will be required to follow any local and university mandates regarding health and safety.
Repertoire
Upon arriving to our summer institute, you should bring at least two contrasting works (these do not have to be the same repertoire as in the videos submitted with your application), with at least one of those pieces memorized and ready for performance.
Additional solo or concerto works presently being studied are welcome. Duet and ensemble repertoire may be assigned and sent in weeks prior to the first day, and you're encouraged to have the music learned prior to arrival.
Faculty will help you improve the memorized performance piece and work with additional solo works or concerti that are “in progress.”
For more information, view the SFA Summer Piano Institute information sheet (PDF coming soon) or email the institute director, Dr. Mario Ajero, at ajeromp@sfasu.edu.
