Piano Academy

Guest artists

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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.

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Evelyne Brancart, Professor of Piano at the Jacobs School of Music, received the Laureate de La Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth (Belgium) in 1971. She is recipient of the Belgian Government Medal and prize winner at the Queen Elisabeth, Montreal, and Gina Bachauer international competitions.

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Described by The New York Times as “spellbinding” and “delightfully quirky matched with interpretive sensitivity,” Phyllis Chen (2022 Guggenheim Fellow, 2019 Cage-Cunningham Fellow) is a composer, pianist and sound artist whose music draws from her tactile exploration of object and sound. Chen is a founding member of the International Contemporary Ensemble.

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Lauded for “superb playing” and “poised, alert musicianship” by the Boston GlobeAmerican 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. 

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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.

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As a performer, educator, and recording artist, pianist Robert Shannon has traveled across the world performing and teaching a diverse repertoire ranging from Bach to John Adams. A double-degree alumnus of Oberlin, Shannon earned a Master of Music at the Juilliard School. Shannon is Director of Keyboard Studies at Oberlin. 

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Pianist Haewon Song is a member of the acclaimed Oberlin Trio. An internationally recognized artist and pedagogue, Song has performed and taught at top venues throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Song is chair of the piano department at Oberlin College and Conservatory. 

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André Watts is distinguished professor of piano and the Jack I. and Dora B. Hamlin Endowed Chair in Music at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. A much-honored artist, Watts received the 1988 Avery Fisher Prize, one of the top individual honors for an American classical musician. 

For more information, please visit the Piano Academy blog or contact the Office of Jacobs Academy at musicsp@iu.edu.

Audition requirements

Interested applicants should plan to submit the following required, supplemental materials after registering and paying only the Non-Refundable Audition Fee - TBD:

  • 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
  • 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 and Deadlines for 2024 Coming Soon

OPTIONAL: Housing and meal plans

Housing and meal information for 2024 coming soon

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.

  1. Eligibility: Accepting serious pianists, ages 12-19. Exceptionally advanced students younger than 12-years may be admitted by special permission of the director.
  2. Application process: To apply, complete the online registration form and pay only the Non-Refundable Audition Fee - TBD. If openings exist, the deadline may be extended for qualified applicants
  3. 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)

Registration for Summer 2024 Coming Soon

Once you have completed the previous steps, please submit the Participant Agreement Form and the Young Pianists Cancellation/Makeup Lesson Policy

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