Art of the Piano Festival and Foundation

Art of the Piano, led by Awadagin Pratt, is proud to present two programs for talented young pianists:

Art of the Piano Festival and the Nina Simone Piano Competition.

About Art of the Piano

Update: the 2024 festival will be held June 22 - July 7, 2024 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

This festival is designed to raise your level of music making and piano playing.  I have chosen great artists and pedagogues to help you achieve these goals.

This is an intense program, but exposure to high-caliber musicians + teachers is inspiring and will stay with you for a lifetime.

It’s a platform for you to perfect your recital and competition repertoire, and to have a quiet, beautiful place to apply all that you’re learning at the keyboard.

Being an all-masterclass festival, your success depends on your playing and most attentive listening.  Almost all the days have only two events – either two classes, or a class + a recital.  This gives ample opportunity for practice and preparation.

In addition to classes and recitals, there are gatherings with the faculty.

A general openness is fostered in an exceptionally supportive environment.

We are inspired by the level of talent this festival attracts. Because of my strong belief in educating and lifting up talented young pianists, this festival is free.

The remarkably generous donors at the Art of the Piano Foundation are making this possible, so all you have to worry about is showing up and playing your best.

I look forward to hearing your audition.

–Awadagin Pratt

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About the Nina Simone Piano Competition

Art of the Piano, led by Awadagin Pratt, is thrilled to hold its inaugural Nina Simone Piano Competition.  With the inaugural competition having been held in 2023, and next competition happening in 202, this bi-annual competition is specifically for talented young African American pianists.  Anyone looking to book an African American pianist of any age will not have to work hard to find them!

The aim of this Competition is to give these young artists a highly visible platform to showcase their skills, gain opportunities, experience, and support.  Additionally, the Competition aims to get more African American artists on concert stages in general, to commission new works, and to add more African American pianistic voices to the classical canon.

For more information: www.ninasimonepianocompetition.org

For technical questions, please check out our Help Desk for frequently asked questions.