Interested in Collaborative Piano?
Here you can find all of the admissions resources and fellow perks to studying at the Music Academy with a focus on collaborative piano
Nine Collaborative Piano fellows experience an in-depth exploration of the vast instrumental repertoire, focusing on general concepts of successful partnering, technical and pianistic concerns, building repertoire, and keys to professional development including: resumes, repertoire lists, and stage decorum. Curriculum covers a wide range of literature, including sonatas and duos, orchestral reductions, and character pieces. Pianists enjoy many training and performance opportunities, including the Duo Competition.
Training & Performance Opportunities
- Weekly private lessons
- Weekly masterclass instruction
- Regular collaboration with instrumental fellows
- Option to attend the Vocal Piano and Solo Piano masterclasses
- Frequent interaction with the Academy’s outstanding instrumental faculty
- Weekly masterclass performance opportunity
- Various keyboard parts in Music Academy orchestral concerts
Duo Competitions
The winners, selected by an esteemed panel of professionals, are presented with a $5,000 cash prize each and will perform in a Santa Barbara recital, in early 2023, presented by the Music Academy in Santa Barbara (travel, lodging, and per-diem for each winner). Winners will also receive:
- Up to $1,000 to support innovative possibilities for this Music Academy performance (for example, projections, special lighting, etc.)
- Coaching with Music Academy faculty, in preparation for this performance
- When possible, additional digital performances and community engagement activities
- Each competition will have a commission by a noted composer, to be premiered in Santa Barbara
- Industry introductions and networking meetings with presenters, management, and media professionals
- Digital assets (recordings and photos) for career promotion
And So Much More...
wellness
Wellness Program
Take advantage of wellness resources including exercise, yoga, counseling, and physical therapy.
Collaborative Piano Faculty & Teaching Artists



Collaborative Piano Application Resources
- Applicants apply online by the application deadline
- Within the online application applicants:
- select a preferred date for the virtual live audition
- upload a current instrumental repertoire list of works studied and performed.
- Applicants receive an audition scheduling link following the application deadline to confirm their specific audition date/time
- Audition panel includes Music Academy Collaborative Piano faculty
- Virtual auditions will be hosted through the getacceptd.com AuditionRoom platform
- Virtual auditions are 15-20 minutes each
- Applicants must arrange their own instrumental partner(s) for the audition
- Three components of the audition:
- Prepared audition repertoire as outlined above
- Brief interview
- A piece (TBD), chosen from an applicant’s full repertoire list of instrumental works studied and performed (as listed within the application), will be emailed to each applicant the day of the audition and which must be played at the audition
- Thursday, February 3, 2022
- Friday, February 4, 2022