Keyboard Explorations
Location: Eastman School of Music
Howard Spindler and Ke’er Wang, directors
Session I (grades 3-7)
June 23-27, 2025 / 9 am – 4 pm Dates and times are expected but still tentative.
This one-week piano intensive program for grades 3-7 will feature piano solo and ensemble workshops; sessions on great pianists; workshops on practice methods, techniques and performance skills; history and historic instruments; as well as daily Dalcroze musicianship classes. Students will be paired into ensemble groups for two pianos or four hands, which they will be assigned in June. In the morning session, students have a group piano lesson, and students will play for and listen to their peers. All students will have the opportunity to play in a masterclass with a world-renowned piano artist. The program offers important learning opportunities for young pianists to establish their musicianship. This is a non-residential in-person program. There will be a program orientation for students and parents on Sunday, June 22 at 6:30pm in Hatch Recital Hall.
Session II (grades 8-12)
July 21-25, 2025 / 9 am – 4 pm Dates and times are expected but still tentative.
After great success with adding a high school session in Summer 2024, we are continuing this one-week intensive program for high schoolers. It will have the same features as Session I (above) overall, but at a pre-collegiate level. There will also be a final performance and a masterclass with a world-renowned piano artist. This is a non-residential in-person program. There will be a program orientation for students and parents on Sunday, July 20 at 6:30pm in Hatch Recital Hall.
Participant Performances:
Session I: Friday June 27, 2025 / 3:30 p.m. / Hatch Recital Hall
Session II: Friday July 25, 2025 / 3:00 p.m. / Hatch Recital Hall
Faculty Concerts:
Session I: Sunday June 22, 2025 / 6:30 p.m. / Hatch Recital Hall
Session II: Sunday July 20, 2025 / 6:30 p.m. / Hatch Recital Hall
Masterclass:
TBD
Program Information
Tuition: $430
–Please note that payment is not due at the time of registration. The student will be billed.
–Also note that housing and meals are not included/available. Students should pack a lunch every day (refrigeration not provided).
Discounts:
- 10% off for ECMS Students enrolled both semesters of current year
- 25% tuition waiver for eligible UR employees
Keyboard Explorations Daily Schedule
Note that this is a sample schedule from 2023
“It is an amazing camp that covers and improves all aspects of piano.” –2023 participant
“Keyboard Explorations is a great way to launch into the summer! It helped me want to keep playing all summer rather than take a break from my instrument. I learned about music history too! I loved the movement part of the program.” –2023 participant
Registration Checklist
1. Register at the link above.
2. Submit a performance video here. This should be a complete performance of 1-2 pieces that the student has recently learned. Please be sure the file contains the student’s name.
3. Ask the student’s music teacher to submit a recommendation letter to the directors:
hspindler@esm.rochester.edu and kwang52@u.rochester.edu.
Registration deadline: June 1, 2025. After that date, call 274-1400 to verify that space remains.
This allows for the directors to plan and send out music to the students in advance of the program.
Visit Summer@Eastman’s blog for some great articles on the Eastman Experience, interviews with faculty, helpful tips, and much more!
