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I didn't get into the Music Academy of the West, but I would like to go to a good summer program for music, it doesn't have to be as huge, but I just need it to have a good faculty and hopefully some financial support. Any ideas?

This programme is still open :

VCM, Summer Academy

Regards,

You might want to look into this one:

Rocky Ridge

My wife and I attended last year. Faculty and staff outstanding! Pianos generally good to very good, accommodations OK, food much better than we anticipated. It got very cold at those elevations, though, in mid August. Curtailed some practice time as the heat in the individual piano cabins was almost non-existant.

I think the Mannes IKIF is still open and I think the teachers are good.

http://www.ikif.org/StartPage.aspx

What about Feltsman's camp at New Paltz? Has anyone been there as a student or as audience? I think it is only open for applicants age 15-35 and after submitting an application with an audition tape..

If you're a high-level artist, then Feltsman's camp might be fine. If you're not at the absolute top of your game, then he will EAT you ALIVE.

The Mannes camp is great. A friend's student attended a couple years ago and loved it.

Feltsman is at the Mannes festival too sometimes. PLUS is a great fan of his.

I don't think Feltsman teaches at the Mannes IKIF summer festival(I've gone for around the last 8 years), but he does usually give at least one master class at Mannes most years. He has the dubious distinction of being tied for one of two nastiest teachers I've seen in 150 master classes.

who is the other nastiest?

How hard is it to get into IKIF? It seems wonderful, but I don't know how competitive it will be? I was told that Music Academy of the West, due to Mr. Lowenthal, is very much taken up by Juilliard students - won't this be a similar situation with a piano festival that takes place in NYC?

I really don't know. Why not call or email and ask? I know I've seen a big range of student abilities there, from extremely good to rather poor.

Big Hint: AS can be a real AS* in masterclasses. I do think he is a fantastic pianist and very different from anyone I can think of. I think he plays with very high wrists.

why the riddle? whay's the man / woman's name? Iam assuming those MC's were public.
Are there nasty women teachers? it seems more commonly the domain of the guys.. Although I have read recently that Vengerova was a tyrant and Frances Clark was rather mean too.

How many pianists have those initials????

I don't know. why don't you just tell me!

I guess these tales are the equivalent of talking about those not here to defend themselves, but given that professional teachers and performers earn most of their livelihood in the public eye, I suppose one can criticize their teaching just as we laud or critize their performances.

An astute, intelligent friend of mine attended a master class given by Angela Hewitt whose performances my friend has admired. She reported to me that she was appalled not only by the lack of tact of Ms. Hewitt in her critiques but also of her vicious attack on an advanced student's performance. What pedagogical purpose does it serve to reduce a talented, young adult performer to tears on stage before a paying audience?

My friend says that, Ms. Hewitt's performing skills and artistic repute notwithstanding, she can still not listen to her performances with the same admiration she once had.

Regards,

Someone help Andro out.

[quote=BruceD

My friend says that, Ms. Hewitt's performing skills and artistic repute notwithstanding, she can still not listen to her performances with the same admiration she once had.[/quote]

I feel exactly the same way about the two very nasty master class teachers I've seen. It's almost impossible for me to separate my negative impressions of them from their piano playing.

what? a state secret? or A.S. scares you so much??

Neither. I could tell you but then you'd get a visit from the piano mafia.