Programs and Classes

The 2027 schedule will be available in the spring.

Private lessons

Each student will receive two individualized, one-on-one private lessons with an academy faculty member, offering personalized guidance tailored to their unique strengths, musical needs, and artistic goals. Drawing on their extensive teaching and performance experience, our faculty bring fresh perspectives and valuable insights into piano technique, musical interpretation, phrasing, and artistic expression. Beyond technique, these lessons help students develop their individual artistic voice and grow as confident, expressive pianists.

Studio class

Daily studio classes offer an engaging and supportive environment where students can perform, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. Led by their assigned faculty teacher, these interactive sessions combine the benefits of a performance class and a mini master class, providing opportunities for individual performances, personalized feedback, and group discussions. Through creative activities and explorations of essential musical concepts, technical challenges, and artistic expression, students deepen their musical understanding while learning from their peers. These shared experiences strengthen listening skills, build performance confidence, and inspire students to grow as thoughtful, expressive, and collaborative musicians.

Master class

New this year

Master classes are organized by repertoire level rather than age, allowing students to learn and perform alongside peers at a similar stage of musical development. This approach provides more focused instruction for every pianist.

Three levels of master classes will be offered. Students will be selected through an on-site audition, and all academy students are required to attend and observe, regardless of their performance level. See the master class audition selection process (pdf).

Intermediate level

• Repertoire: early to late intermediate
• Audition eligibility: equivalent to Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA) piano exam syllabus levels 5-8
• Class duration: 90 minutes

This master class focuses on building a strong musical foundation, refining essential techniques, and developing expressive playing through intermediate repertoire.

Early advanced level

• Repertoire: early advanced
• Audition eligibility: equivalent to MMTA piano exam syllabus levels 9+
• Class duration: 120 minutes

This master class explores more sophisticated musical interpretation, technical refinement, and stylistic understanding, helping students transition toward advanced repertoire with greater artistry and confidence.

Advanced level

• Repertoire: advanced
• Audition eligibility: equivalent to MMTA piano exam syllabus levels 10-11
• Class duration: 120 minutes

Designed for advanced young pianists, this master class offers an in-depth exploration of advanced repertoire, emphasizing artistic individuality, interpretive depth, and performance excellence.

A learning experience for everyone

Every student benefits from master classes, performing or not. By observing our guest artists work with their peers, all academy participants gain valuable insights into technique, interpretation, musical communication, and the creative process of performance.

Piano ensemble

Students are warmly encouraged to prepare a piano ensemble piece as their optional third piece and experience the joy of making music together. Ensemble opportunities include piano four-hands, six-hands, eight-hands, chamber music, and select movements from junior concertos (five minutes or less). All ensemble members must be registered academy participants.

Showcase concert eligibility

Students may form ensembles with friends or fellow academy participants before camp. Memorization is not required, and each ensemble will receive one faculty coaching session. Please submit your repertoire for approval. Concert participation is based on performance readiness and available program time.

Concerto Spotlight Concert

The Concerto Spotlight Concert gives advanced young pianists the opportunity to collaborate and perform with a professional string ensemble, experiencing the excitement and artistry of performing as a concerto soloist.

This special program is open to registered academy students who are at least 10 years old and performing at an advanced level. Interested students should consult with their piano teacher to select an appropriate concerto movement from our approved repertoire list (pdf).

Participants will be selected through a video audition. Send your audition video to l-juan@bethel.edu by April 15, 2027.

The program includes individualized coaching, an ensemble rehearsal, a dress rehearsal, a culminating concerto performance, professional photography, and video recording. Students gain collaborative musicianship and professional performance experience.

Additional program fee: $500 for selected participants.

Expressing Yourself in Music: Beginning Composition

Sarah Miller will lead classes that explore how music can be created to share our inner thoughts and emotions. Students will compose short phrases that can be used and altered in different ways to create longer sections of music. Students will also learn how to add simple accompaniments to their melodic ideas.

Beethoven Unlocked: Discover the Genius Behind the Music!

A special class with guest artist Peter Mack.

Join our distinguished guest artist for an engaging and inspiring journey into the world of Ludwig van Beethoven. Through lively demonstrations, fascinating stories, and musical examples, students will explore what makes Beethoven’s music so powerful, dramatic, and unforgettable. From bold musical ideas and surprising contrasts to deeply expressive melodies, Peter Mack will bring Beethoven’s genius to life, inspiring young pianists to listen with fresh ears, discover new musical possibilities, and approach Beethoven’s works with greater confidence and imagination.