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Piano Summer Program for Grades 6-8
Why Take Piano
For centuries, the piano has been a staple of concert halls and living rooms. Pianists must have strong hand-eye coordination and deep concentration. You'll hone these skills while receiving one-on-one instruction from our professional faculty, building your collaborative experience, and honing your piano fundamentals.
What You'll Learn
As a piano camp student at Interlochen Arts Camp, you'll develop the skills, technique, and knowledge needed to take your piano playing to new heights.
- Twice-weekly, full-period private lessons with a member of our distinguished piano faculty
- Master classes with renowned artist-teachers
- A featured composer for each session
- A deep dive into a featured composer (Session I: Grieg; Session II: Haydn)
- Seminar on music by underrepresented composers
- Performance opportunities include studio classes, in recitals, and master classes
- Seminars on performance topics such as The Art of Performing, The Art of Practicing, and Piano Literature
- Supervised practice time on one of Interlochen’s 240 pianos
- Applied Musicianship classes focusing on sight reading and ensembles, technique study and keyboard theory
Join us for a summer camp experience you'll never forget!
Guest Artists
Students will have the opportunity to meet distinguished guest artists. Previous guest clinicians have included:
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Sarah Cahill, award-winning pianist
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Alan Chow, Eastman School of Music
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James Giles, Northwestern University
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Olga Kern, famed international pianist
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Jon Nakamatsu, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition gold medalist
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Awadagin Pratt, acclaimed concert pianist
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Conrad Tao, Grammy-nominated
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Nelita True, University of Rochester
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Andre Watts, Jacobs School of Music
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Robert Weirich, University of Missouri - Kansas City
Program Highlights
Performance Opportunities
While at Interlochen, you will have the opportunity to perform in student recitals, during master classes, and collaboratively with other musicians.
Practice Pianos
Students will have reserved supervised practice time at one of our 240+ pianos, which are located across our scenic campus.
I am so happy to be here because I am able to be with kids who love the piano just like me... Coming here has made me push my way through challenges without giving up, and I know that I have improved.
Sophia, Music
A Typical Day At Interlochen
9:00 a.m. Supervised Practice Hour or Private Lesson. Students receive two private lessons per week.
10:00 a.m. Piano Recital / Masterclass Hour. Depending on the day, this hour will include masterclasses, studio classes, and formal recitals.
11:00 a.m. Applied Musicianship Class. This small group class focuses on sight reading and ensembles, technique study, and keyboard theory.
3:00 p.m. Piano Seminar. Topics include: performing, practicing, and piano literature.
4:00 p.m. Supervised Practice Hour. Piano instructors are available for assistance during this supervised practice period.
Evening Activities. Depending on the evening, activities may include: attending one of the many arts events and performances on Interlochen's campus, cabin events, camp life activities, and much more.
Additional Opportunities
Each Intermediate Piano session is three weeks long. Students may choose to attend both of the three-week sessions.
Ninth grade is a year of choice: students in ninth grade may choose to apply either for this program or for the High School Piano Summer Program and/or the one-week High School Piano Intensive.
Pianists who are interested in focusing on jazz study are encouraged to apply for the Jazz & Improvisation Summer Program for grades 6-8.
Organists or pianists who are interested in focusing on organ study instead of piano are encouraged to apply for the Organ Summer Program for grades 6-8. Inexperienced organists with a strong piano background are welcome to apply.