Collaborative Piano
Piano duo partnerships with vocal artists in a true artistic exchange. Experience German culture while coaching with our international faculty artists and performing on concerts and master classes hosted by international performing artists and coaches.
Piano Duo Collaboration &
Scene Preparation
In an innovative approach to summer training programs, IPAI Collaborative Pianists are paired with vocal partners in a Piano Duo for the entirety of the three weeks. Together, Piano Duos will attend all lessons and coachings with the collaborative piano and voice faculty. Working as a team for the three weeks, singers and pianists develop a deeper musical awareness of one another and the challenges of collaboration: enlightening both parties on just how intertwined our rolls are and enhancing the overall collaborative experience.
Under the guidance and coaching of Dr. Michael Bunchman and our guest collaborative artists, each collaborative pianist will lead the musical preparation of at least one opera scene. They are responsible for learning and rehearsing with vocalists with appropriate style and musical interpretation that will culminate in 2 opera scene performances.
"As a pianist that loves collaborating with singers, IPAI was an amazing experience because it gave me the opportunities to not only play for extremely talented performers, but also the chance to work with incredible coaches and clinicians. I feel so lucky to have been able to attend this program where I made lifelong connections and friends. I was surprised at just how much progress I had made within those short three weeks, and it gave me a new level of confidence that I was heading in the right direction in terms of my career as a collaborative pianist."
- Maria Rabbia, pianist
World-class Instruction
IPAI provides a positive and nurturing environment in which each student can learn and develop to their full potential. The program focuses on repertoire preparation, text interpretation, diction, technical control, texture, musical flexibility, collaborative awareness of balance, and confidence in performance. Collaborative pianists attend all lessons and coachings with their Piano Duo partner and may participate in acting & movement classes, workshops, and master classes. They also receive individual coachings with Dr. Michael Bunchman, guest clinicians, and guest coaches--teachers, vocal coaches, stage directors, and casting directors currently working in opera houses in the United States and Europe.
Each pianist collaborates with three or more singers throughout the course of the program. Singers receive two weekly voice lessons, one or two coachings, and perform in weekly master classes that focus on style and interpretation, audition techniques, mind/body awareness, coping with stress and nervousness, the business of performing, career building and more! During the second and third week, all opera artists participate in intensive master classes with honored guest artists such as Jennifer Larmore, Barbara Bonney, Barabara Daniels, and Kirstin Chavez.
IPAI Opera & Collaborative Piano Program alumni have been accepted into top tier masters programs in the US and in Germany, joined US and European young artist programs, and gone on to create prolific professional careers.
"IPAI was the ideal musical utopia. It was immersive, constructive, and was all the while invigorating and fresh. The wildly talented faculty motivated us to take ownership of our musicianship but was also happy to provide more hands-on instruction when we needed it. Kiefersfelden was idyllic, its people warm and welcoming, the strawberries were UNBELIEVABLE, and the alps were stunning. I left feeling more motivated and knowledgeable about music, more confident in my performing abilities, and more self-aware."
Language & Culture
Artists learn and practice German in daily language classes and by living in a Bavarian village for three weeks. Instruction includes the basics of functional conversational German, an introduction to German culture and etiquette, learning to slate and answer basic audition questions in German, as well as opportunities for more advanced speakers to refine their language skills. Our artists receive musical theatre and lyric diction coaching in German. French, Italian, English, and Czech can be integrated into weekly lessons and coaching sessions as dictated by the artists' repertoire selections.
See a professional opera performance at a German Theater in Erl, Munich, or another nearby city as part of your IPAI experience! Transportation and tickets are included in the tuition.
Performing
Each Piano Duo is featured on our Liederabend and will perform together in all Master classes and concerts. Each pianist will perform their assigned opera or musical theatre scenes and collaborative repertoire. Concert performance opportunities include: master classes that may be open to the public, Cabaret Nights, the annual IPAI Vocal Competition, and one scene concert--" the IPAI Gala Concert.
"IPAI Germany 2019 vastly surpassed any expectations I had prior to the program. If I had to sum the experience into one takeaway, IPAI helped me understand what it means to live and love life as an artist. Too many times, myself included, we focus on the wrong aspects and experience burnout, isolation, and/or shame.
Did I struggle time to time as a pianist, music director, and human? Absolutely. But I still haven’t even gotten to the best part about IPAI, the amazing and loving people, staff and members alike. The ability to enjoy amazing experiences inside and outside the rehearsal/performance spaces with incredible people who share the same love and passion as you is an amazing gift that I will not take for granted again.
So thankful to have been able to be part of such a special program."
Career Building & Development
In addition to professional development & audition workshops, IPAI artists receive one-on-one feedback from each of our esteemed faculty throughout their IPAI residency. Our three-week training program culminates in a next-steps conference that offers an opportunity to connect on a deeper level with our faculty, strategically plan for the "next steps" of your artistic career, gather personalized advice, and be mentored by professionals who invest in artists beyond just three weeks of training.
Outstanding students, promising young artists, and emerging artists may be offered a significant scholarship and the opportunity to join IPAI as a Fellowship Artist in the following summer. Fellowship Artists have usually completed a Masters Degree or Artist Diploma, are on the cusp of starting their professional career, are already performing professionally, and/or are exploring opportunities to audition and sing in Germany or Europe. Fellowship Artists receive special attention, may be invited to auditions, or offered roles with regional companies in the US and Germany.
Tuition & SCHOLARSHIPS
Triple Room: $5100
Double Room: $5600
Single Room $6000
D E P O S I T : $500
***The deposit must be received by the date on your acceptance letter (10-14 days after acceptance) in order to reserve your spot in the program and any scholarships you have been awarded.
IPAI Germany is an all-inclusive professional training experience that includes:
Lodging for 21 days
Two meals per day (breakfast and lunch--artists are responsible for dinner and snacks)
Private voice lessons
Individual and group repertoire coachings
Master Classes and Career Training Workshops
German Language Experience
Dance and Acting Classes
A Comprehensive Scenes Program
A Minimum of 4 Concert Performance Opportunities.
The cost of tickets and transportation for one excursion (the musical theatre intensive and audition casting in Hamburg, or the German opera house excursion) is also included in your tuition for IPAI Germany when available.
Not included airfare or ground transportation to/from Kiefersfelden; ground or public transportation during the program; health or travel insurance; costs of securing a passport or visa (for non-US residents); entry, luggage, or other fees at border control; costs associated with program cancellation, flight cancellation, health care issues, or travel delays.
Tuition scholarships (typically between $500 - $3000) are awarded based on funding availability, artistry, and merit and determined by the application, video or live audition, financial need, and IPAI programming needs. Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of IPAI faculty, administration, and audition panelists. Recipients are obliged to notify IPAI of acceptance in a timely fashion and are still responsible for securing their position in the program by paying the deposit.
"The IPAI Global Artist Program gave me a new opportunity to work with incredible professional artists virtually amid the pandemic. Although we could not meet face-to-face, I can still learn a lot from this program. I also enjoy collaborating with many wonderful young artists from all over the place that I never met before. IPAI GAP has given me a new experience and tool to continue developing my artistic skill."
- Watcharit "Jean" Kerdchuen, pianist
INSURANCe
All participants and faculty must secure international health insurance that is valid in the country or state of residence for the duration of the program. We STRONGLY suggest securing both health and travel insurance when studying abroad. Check with your current insurance provider to inquire if they have options for temporary international travel and health insurance. Feel free to reach out to our IPAI administrative staff for assistance if you need help finding an insurance provider. It's relatively inexpensive and can be purchased online.
"When I learned that IPAI GAP 2020 was going to be fully online, I honestly wasn't sure what to expect... but from day one it was a wonderful creative experience! The professional guidance, the in-depth masterclasses, and the ability to collaborate with such gifted musicians reminded me to continue to strive for excellence. I can't thank the faculty and staff enough for their inspiration, and I encourage other collaborative pianists to choose IPAI in the future."
- Alison Post, pianist
REFund & Participation Policy
Unfortunately, IPAI cannot issue any refunds for tuition or deposits under any circumstances at this time. This includes but is not limited to acts of violence or terrorism, sickness, disease, financial insolvency, force majeure, or any other circumstances. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, IPAI may be able to issue limited refunds minus the $500 deposit in the event the program is cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions. The no refund policy stands as long as a live, in-person summer program can take place.
IPAI reserves the right to withdraw a student artist from the program for behavior deemed inappropriate or unprofessional. Illegal substance use is strictly forbidden. Participants caught using illegal substances or participating in illegal activities will be sent home at their own expense and no tuition refunds will be given. Artists and faculty participate at their own risk and must provide proof of valid health insurance for the duration of the program. IPAI is not liable for a participants inability to attend or participate due to sickness, emergencies, or other unforeseen events.
Artists engaged in the abuse of alcohol, verbal, racial, or sexual harassment in any way will be sent home immediately at their own expense.