At Peng Piano Academy’s Summer Camp, students will engage with performing artists and collegiate faculty from around the world, develop their pianism, fine-tune their musicianship, and collaborate with student peers.

Students are required to participate in all activities and performances.

Camp curriculum includes the following*:

• Masterclass: Attend group classes where select students perform pieces from memory, allowing faculty to instruct on improving technique, performance methods, and holistic understanding of the pieces. Each student will perform in at least one masterclass. Masterclass repertoire needs to be performance ready and fully memorized.
• Private lesson: Work with artistic faculty in one-on-one instruction on solo and duet repertoire. Each student will have at least four 30 minute solo and duet lessons.
• Workshops: Engage in group activities on topics such as ear-training, rhythm, sight-reading, theory, or composition.
• Faculty Presentation: Attend artistic faculty-led presentations or lecture recitals covering musical style, technique and literature.
• Duet Assignment: Rehearse during camp hours with assigned duet partner on 4-hand repertoire.
• Faculty and Student Performances: Showcase solo and duet repertoire at the student concert and attend the esteemed faculty concert.
• Field Trip: Explore music organizations such as Center for Beethoven Studies at SJSU, Stanford Music Library, and organ tours in Bay Area churches.

*Curriculum is subject to change

Applicant Requirements

• Students age 10-18 are encouraged to apply.
• Minimum playing level should be upper-intermediate* to advanced.

*Examples of upper-intermediate repertoire include: Bach Inventions, Clementi Sonatina Op. 36 No. 6, Beethoven Sonatas Op. 49 No. 2 & Op. 79, Mozart Rondo in D, Chopin Waltzes.

Required Materials

• Minimum two performance-ready pieces (fluent and memorized).
  • A concerto movement is acceptable, but students must provide their own accompanist for the masterclass and student concert.
• Fully prepared four-hand duet part.
  • The Academy will assign a duet partner and music two months prior to the camp.

Can I request a specific faculty member for master classes or lessons?

No. The student-teacher assignment and scheduling for private lessons, masterclasses, etc., is subject to The Academy’s decision and is final.

How many private lessons will students have? Will they have one every day?

There is no guaranteed number of lesson for each student. The Academy takes pride in providing every camper an even amount of attention and instruction that best fits their individual needs. To have a balanced schedule, not all students will have a lesson everyday.

Can students request duet partners and duet pieces?

If students would like to request a duet partner and/or request a duet piece, both students must indicate their preferences in the application form and be admitted into the camp for this request to be accommodated. Duet pieces will be finalized and distributed two months prior to camp start date.

Do duet partners need to rehearse before the start of camp?

Students will be expected to practice their part individually prior to the start of camp so they are fluent enough to rehearse with their partners on day one. Duet rehearsal before camp begins is encouraged, but not at all required.

Where can students practice or rehearse their duet piece?

There will be practice rooms at the campsite for students to rehearse their solo and duet repertoire.

Is everyone required to perform in the student concert(s)?

Yes, every camp student is expected to perform at the student concert(s).