PianoFest in the Hamptons – Session 2
Any student that is accepted to Pianofest will have to be residing in the U.S. at least two weeks before each Pianofest session and show proof of both full vaccination and a booster.
It is expected that all students will have full insurance coverage for travel- and health-related problems and emergencies.
Please provide video links — via YouTube or DropBox — to at least three performances in contrasting styles (concertos are acceptable), totaling at least 45 minutes.
Full scholarship, room and board plus a $400 stipend.
Pianofest is a summer festival that offers exceptionally concentrated study to a small group of pianists selected by audition. Weekly evening concerts featuring these emerging artists occur at different venues in the Hamptons, June – August.
The teaching at Pianofest stresses an ethic based on support rather than competition. In addition to emphasizing the solo repertoire, students accompany each other in concertos and explore the duo piano literature. Pianofest also offers an opportunity for pianists to nurture their own friendships, performance opportunities, and contacts with the residents of the community. The Hamptons attract visitors from around the world, while local residents include renowned authors, artists and musicians.
Many Pianofest participants are engaged to perform at Hampton music festivals and other local venues, such as the Southampton Cultural Center, the Montauk Library, The Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, The Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival and others.
The beaches and the seacoast of the Hamptons are considered among the most beautiful in the world. Students enjoy summer in the Hamptons, known for famous nightlife as well as lovely natural settings. East Hampton Village and beaches are in walking distance of the practice house. Many students have found Pianofest an ideal place to try out concert programs and to prepare for competitions. The Hamptons also hosts other performing festivals, including the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival.
Pianofest offers daily lessons and pianists attend the lessons of their colleagues. Also, they participate in weekly public master classes, often televised. Lessons and master classes are conducted by Pianofest’s Director, Paul Schenly, and guest artists, such as Jerome Lowenthal, Sergei Babayan, Yefim Bronfman, Andre Watts, Richard Goode, Anton Nel, Claude Frank, Arie Vardi, Melvin Chen, Yoheved Kaplinsky, John O’Connor, and Pavel Nersessian, all of whom participated in the past. Many students have appeared in performance on television. Students also perform in private homes. In 1996, Pianofest released its first compact disc recording, featuring student and faculty artists.