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Academy

Hosted by Northern Arizona University Kitt School of Music, the FPF Academy invites young pianists, piano teachers, and auditors of all ages to an immersive week-long piano experience that includes daily opportunities to practice and perform in lessons, masterclasses, performance classes, a young artist concert, and the FPF Competition. In addition to performance preparation, the FPF Academy offers seminars on topics ranging from career goals to piano technique, performance anxiety, and competition/audition preparation. 

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Drawing from Flagstaff’s unique history and geographical setting—7,000 feet altitude, on sacred Native American land at the base of the San Francisco Peaks & Mount Elden, with proximity to Sedona and the Grand Canyon—the FPF Academy promotes the outdoors and a healthy living-learning environment that includes hiking, yoga sessions, as well as visits to local attractions such as

Lowell Observatory (where Pluto was discovered), Walnut Canyon (ancient cliff dwellings),

and the Museum of Northern Arizona (Colorado Plateau’s Native American art and history).

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Eligibility

  • Participants: 

    • Pre-college piano students ages 13-18 who have not yet matriculated in a college or university program

    • Undergraduate college piano students with an interest in transferring to NAU or in auditioning for NAU’s graduate piano program 

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  • Auditors:

    • Pianists, students, piano teachers, amateur pianists, community members, and music lovers regardless of age or musical background, who are looking to enhance their understanding of and appreciation for music and piano playing/pedagogy.  Auditors have access to all Flagstaff Piano Festival offerings as observers – lessons, masterclasses, seminars, performances, recreational activities. 

Location & Facilities

  • Flagstaff and the NAU Campus sit at the base of the San Francisco Peaks and Mount Elden, offering a unique and inspiring setting to create and grow while enjoying the outdoors

  • The home concert hall of Flagstaff Piano Festival is Kitt Recital Hall, a state-of-the-art venue completed in 2019

  • All concert pianos are exceptional Steinway Model D

  • Teaching studios and practice rooms are equipped with Steinway grand pianos

  • FPF Academy participants will be assigned ample daily times in practice rooms

  • Participants and auditors who choose to live on campus during the Festival will be hosted in modern double-occupancy rooms

  • Fine dining will be provided at the NAU Student Union throughout the Festival

  • All underage participants will receive expert care and supervision from trained NAU and Festival staff for the duration of the Festival

Performance Opportunities

All FPF Academy participants will have ample opportunities to perform on outstanding pianos in Kitt Recital Hall and beyond, including masterclasses, performance classes, a young artist showcase recital, and the FPF Competition.

Professional Recordings

Professional audio/video recordings of all public student performances will be offered to participants following the conclusion of the Festival.  This service is included in the tuition fee.

Repertoire

FPF Academy participants are encouraged to bring 2-3 contrasting solo pieces that are memorized and performance-ready for masterclasses, young artist concerts, and the competition.  Additionally, they are welcome to bring work-in-progress repertoire for lessons.

Attire

FPF Academy participants should bring one business-casual outfit and one formal concert outfit for performances in masterclasses, concerts, and the competition.  Aside from public performances, participants are encouraged to wear comfortable summer clothes and to bring layers, as mornings and evenings at 7,000 feet tend to be colder.

Scholarships

Flagstaff Piano Festival offers partial tuition scholarships to a select number of Academy participants. To be considered for a scholarship, apply and submit video performance links of up to 15 minutes of music by May 1, 2024. Scholarship recipients will be notified in a timely manner following the deadline and their scholarship amount, along with the application fee, will be deducted from their tuition payment.  

 

Scholarships only apply toward tuition (no housing or meals). 

Scholarships not available for auditors.

Sample Daily Schedule

7:30     Yoga Session (select days)
8:00     Breakfast
8:30     Group Lessons/Practice, hike, or visit local attractions
10:00    Faculty/Guest Artist Masterclass
12:00    Lunch
1:00      Lessons/Practice
3:00     Topics Seminar
4:00     Lessons/Practice
5:00     Dinner
6:00     Student Showcase Recital
7:00     Concert followed by evening activities

Tuition

Application fee, due May 1, 2024

  • All participants applying for a scholarship      $75

    • Non-refundable; will be deducted from tuition fee

    • Applicants who would like to be considered for a partial tuition scholarship must include video performance links of up to 15 minutes of music with their application

    • Late applications will be accepted until June 2, 2024, but late applicants will not be considered for scholarships

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Tuition, paid in full by June 2, 2024

  • Participant      $500

    • Application fee & any partial scholarship for scholarship recipients will be deducted from tuition total

    • Includes active participation in lessons, masterclasses, competition, performance opportunities, professional recordings, recreational activities, welcome package, admission to all Flagstaff Piano Festival concerts, admission to local attractions offered by the Festival

  • Auditor            $250

    • Includes access as an observer to lessons, masterclasses, competition, Flagstaff Piano Festival concerts, recreational activities, as well as a welcome package and admission to local attractions offered by the Festival

Housing & Meals

​All participants and auditors are eligible to purchase housing and meals for the duration of the Festival. They are also welcome to make their own housing arrangements in Flagstaff and participate as commuters, as long as they are present for all Academy activities throughout the week.  

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  • Housing & Meals            $480

    • Double occupancy & meal plan (3 meals/day) included for the duration of the Festival

  • Meals for Commuters

    • Commuters may join residents for meals at the NAU Union by purchasing their own meals at the door

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Academy: Information
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