Imagine a piano superstar. Usually we conjure up performers who are older and more mature like the famous composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven, but here in Philly we have masters as young as 11 years old in our midst. Young piano virtuosos from all over the world come to Philadelphia to study with concert masters at the Philadelphia Young Pianists’ Academy. PYPA is in its fourth year at the famed Curtis Institute of Music and offers these young, international piano players the chance to eat, sleep and breathe music for eight days in August and be taught by world masters. PYPA founder, artistic director and award-winning pianist Ching-Yun Hu says, “It’s amazing to observe. You can see how the students improve immediately from the beginning of each 45 minute session to the end of the session. We even have 11- and 12-year-old proteges who are astounding.” On Aug. 10 and 11 these young masters from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Colombia, Hungary and the United States will perform for a public audience and then be given constructive criticism on their performance. Concert master and chair of the piano department of the prestigious Eastman Conservatory of Music, Doug Humphreys, will be hosting the masterclass on Tuesday, as well as Hu, who will be teaching on Wednesday. These two events are open to the public to watch and enjoy. If you are a music lover, this could be your chance to see young piano masters in the making!
If you go:
Field Concert Hall
Curtis Institute of Music
1726 Locust St.
Aug. 10-11
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Young, international pianists perform for the public
Phila. Young Pianist’s Academy
