piano young artist program

Young Artist Program in Piano

This class is open to senior piano students and provides instruction in a setting that moves towards traditional music college/university instruction while maintaining roots in Suzuki philosophy and pedagogy. It is expected that these senior players, who provide a role model to other participating students, will join enthusiastically in other Institute events.

Students Eligible:

Pianists who have completed the Mozart, Sonata, K. 330 (Suzuki Bk. 6) or who are working at the Grade 9 piano level or above (RCM or Conservatory Canada). Admission to the YAP program is based on invitation following a successful video audition.

Daily in-person only program includes:

Master Class (half-hour per student) with Anya Alexeyev (ON)
Daily String/Piano Chamber Ensemble Class or Duo Piano Class, depending on student registration
Chamber music performance
Effective Practising & Confident Performance (daily seminar)
Solo performance at the end of the week

Daily Optional Classes: (you may choose up to two options)

Choir for Everyone!
Composition for Beginners
Handbells
Improv
Music through the Ages
Organ for Pianists
Percussion

Cost: $690 CDN. Optional classes extra

Please note that mature students may better handle the audition process and the public master class instruction in the Young Artist Program. While there are no age limits, high school age students may adapt to this somewhat more intense experience more easily than younger children. The regular Senior Piano program is another very rewarding option available for advanced students who are not sure about the YAP or who are not accepted into the program (there is strictly limited enrollment in the YAP).

Application deadline is May 1, 2024

Prepare your video audition, upload it to a web hosting service, and email download links to Elayne Ras by May 1st (no exceptions). See the Video Audition instructions.

NOTE: Audition recordings will not be processed until we have received the registration fee. Some classes will begin on Sunday August 11, and you will be notified via email about the specific times.

Anya Alexeyev received her education at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory (Russia) and the Royal College of Music in London (UK). She has performed internationally, playing numerous solo recitals, concertos and chamber music with some of the world’s best-known orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Moscow State Symphony, Vienna Chamber, The Philharmonia, Deutschland Radio, City of Birmingham Symphony, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, English Chamber, and Belgian National Symphony.

While maintaining an active performing and recording schedule, Anya is also a dedicated teacher, with her students winning top prizes in numerous competitions and earning acceptances into prestigious graduate schools such as the Royal Academy of Music, England, Indiana University, and New England Conservatory.

She premiered Paul McCartney’s first solo piano piece, A Leaf, which was later released on CD for EMI Classics. She has performed in all of London’s major concert halls—Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elisabeth Hall and Barbican Hall. Anya won The Queen Mother's Award for “the most outstanding contribution to the Royal College of Music.” She won First prize at the Newport International Piano Competition, Young Concert Artists Trust, and The Capital Radio/Anna Instone Memorial Prize.

She is a piano professor of the WLU Music Faculty.

NOTE: All information, classes, faculty, etc. are subject to change depending on enrolment.