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The ÌýCU Boulder High School Summer Music Academy: Piano Intensive is designed to immerse high schoolers in the world of classical piano for five inspiring days. The program includes daily lessons with CU Boulder faculty, performance classes and opportunities, musicianship skills classes and academy-wide social activities for having fun and making friends!

June 15-19, 2025

The daily schedule will be emailed to registered campers in the weeks leading up to the academy.

Program description

Daily lessons: Take lessons with CU Boulder faculty to improve your piano playing and reach your peak level of performance. Teaching faculty for the 2025 camp include Andrew Cooperstock, David Koreevar, Alexandra Nguyen, Robert Hjelmstad and Alejandro Cremaschi.

Performance opportunities: Daily performance classes allow you to work with guest artists and experience polished performances from peers. All students perform solo and duet works in the final recital celebrating a week of practice and growth.

Musicianship skills classes: Study skills such as reading jazz lead sheets, basso continuo and improvisation. Experience playing Classical and Baroque repertoire on historical fortepianos and harpsichords.

Social activities:ÌýConnect with other young musicians through a variety of fun social activities.

Registration, fees +Ìýdeadlines

Registration

To ensure that students have a beneficial experience at camp, piano applicants must complete a prescreening process before they can register. This process allows our faculty to ensure that students meet a fundamental level of playing and music reading skills. Students will be admitted on a rolling basis considering the strength of their application. Once a student has passed the prescreening process, our faculty will reach out (via email) with the camp registration link.Ìý

We encourage students of all levels and backgrounds to apply, though we often find that students with familiarity with performance in classical music and intermediate proficiency in reading music often benefit the most from attending the Piano Intensive. Please be thoughtful as you complete your statement of interest as that is usually the best way to know if this program will be the right fit for a student. Video recordings will be used to determine studio placement and piano duet pairings.Ìý

Prescreening requirements

• Video recordings: Submit two contrasting pieces (e.g., one fast/rhythmic piece and one slow/lyrical piece). Videos should be submitted as unlisted YouTube links.
• Student statement of interest (200-word limit): Tell us about your musical background and what you hope to get from the Piano Intensive.
• Teacher recommendation (optional, 300-word limit): Describe your student’s experience in reading, chamber music and overall musicianship.Ìý

Fees

• $775 overnight resident: Includes all housing + meals
• $550 daytime-only commuter: Includes all lunches

Incidental fees

• Lost Room Key fee (to be collected at the time of loss): $10-$50
• Lost Meal Card fee (to be collected at the time of loss): $5-$15
• Property Damage (where applicable): Case-by-case determination

Parents are financially responsible for any and all damages caused by the student to University of Colorado property including—but not limited to—CU Boulder College of Music facilities and CU Boulder dormitory facilities.

Deadlines

March 1: Optional scholarship application deadline. See scholarship opportunitiesÌýbelow for more information regarding application requirements and a link to the application form. Awardees will be notified by April 1.

April 1: Scholarship award notification.

May 1: Deadline to submit prescreening.

May 8:Registration and non-refundable $150 deposit for the High School Summer Music Academy: Piano Intensive. The registration link will be emailed to accepted students on a rolling basis. Registration forms are accepted for the high school camp until positions are filled or the deadline passes. Applicants may be placed on a waitlist if the Piano Intensive is full. We will contact you if/when a space becomes available.

May 31: Payment in full; payment may be completed through the registration portal via the link.

May 31: Cancellation deadline for full refund of camp fees excluding a non-refundable $150 deposit. See refund policy below for more information regarding refunds and cancellation.

Refund policy

Refunds will be processed on the card used to make the payment through the registration portal. Prior to May 31, refund is in full excluding a non-refundable $150 deposit. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after May 31.

Enrollment + proficiency

The SMA: Piano Intensive is open to graduates of grades 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12. A maximum of 16 applicants will be accepted. Enrollment is based on the prescreening process listed above and payment of the non-refundable $150 deposit. Applicants may be placed on a waitlist if the Piano Intensive is full. We will contact you if/when a space becomes available.

Scholarship opportunities

We’re pleased to offer scholarship assistance to help academy students of financial need. To be considered for scholarship assistance, please complete the form below, includingÌýa brief essay telling us about yourself, your need for financial assistanceÌýand how you could benefit from attendance at the High School Summer Music Academy: Piano Intensive. The completed form withÌýessay isÌýdue March 1Ìýand awardees will be notified by April 1. Financial need will be taken into account when reviewing applications and scholarships will be awarded as funds allow.

Academy instruction

Assembled for their talent, teaching ability, dedication and enthusiasm for music, distinguished music professionals from across the country participate in the College of Music’s summer music academies. They include world-renowned conductors, CU Boulder faculty, middle school and high school teachers, master class and elective teachers, administrators and outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who serve as counselors and mentors. Combined, their knowledge and experience support an extraordinary educational opportunity where students build confidence, and develop good habits and attitudes that shape their future. Visit the College of Music’sÌýpiano + keyboard departmentÌýto learn more about our faculty.

Questions? Get in touchÌýatÌýmusicacademy@colorado.edu,Ìý303-492-6584.