Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Apply by May 1!
For students middle school, high school and college
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 Monday, and a final solo recital on Tuesday in one of our concert halls.
2025 dates and details
July 17–22
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
Pricing information
- Full camp: $575 (double occupancy) or $650 (single occupancy)
- Includes meals and lodging
- Commuter: $425
- Includes lunch
Applying for the institute - deadline May 1
Application and acceptance
Application fee: $70
To apply for the Summer Piano Institute, visit our secure Marketplace store to pay the fee and complete your online application. Include links to videos from your audition repertoire that showcase two contrasting musical selections (for example: Beethoven Sonata and Chopin Etude.)
Application deadline for the 2025 institute is May 1.
Decision notices
You'll be notified by May 8 or earlier whether you're accepted into the institute.
If you're accepted into the institute, your application fee is applied to your tuition. View the next steps for accepted applicants.
Applicants who are not accepted will receive a full refund of their application fee.
Accepted: secure your spot
Pay your balance by June 14 through School of Music's secure marketplace store to accept the invitation. Note these rates already apply the $100 application fee. All major credit cards are accepted.
Failure to respond or pay by the deadline will result in forfeiting your spot and $100 application fee.
You also must complete required documents and submit them by email, mail or in-person upon check in.
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.
