Piano Workshop
link to application

Dates
June 10-15, 2010
Leander Bien, Director
Summers in Vermont remain a cherished memory in the minds of the many professional and non-professional musicians who have attended Kinhaven Music School. Kinhaven's emphasis on non-competitive, supportive music making has been at the very heart of its philosophy. This approach—the basis for our success with students of all ages—is the guiding spirit for our Piano and Chamber Music workshops.

The Program
The workshop focuses on four-hand piano repertoire. Participants will be paired together and four-hand repertoire can be selected by each team or assigned by the faculty. Each four-hand duo will receive three 75 minute coachings. There will be time for practice, rehearsal, and sight-reading. The workshop will culminate in student concerts. In addition, there will be group and private Alexander Technique sessions, as well as four-handed sightreading sessions with the faculty. Pre-existing four-hand teams are especially welcome.

The workshop will begin with supper on Thursday and will end with lunch on Tuesday. It is open to intermediate to advanced level pianists, ages 18 or older. Acceptance will be based upon a tape or a live audition.

The Faculty
Leander Bien, director, has degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the Manhattan School of Music and the Sibelius Academy. He is a former faculty member at the Vantaa Conservatory (Finland), UMass/Amherst, Lehigh University and Moravian College. Since 1994, he has been on the piano faculty at the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC. 

Nancy Breth has degrees from Indiana University and the University of Wisconsin. She is the author of  Student's Guide to Effective Practicing. The former director of Camerata de Mexico, she has also lectured at the Smithsonian Institute and had articles published in Articles in American Music Teacher, Keyboard Companion and Clavier.

Nigel Coxe trained at the Royal Academy in London. He has been a soloist with the London Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic and the Halle Orchestra.  His performances have been broadcast on BBC and he has Recorded for Titanic, Harmonia Mundi and Musical Heritage. He is a Professor emeritus at UMass/Amherst. 

Chonghyo Shin holds a degree from the New England Conservatory and is a former faculty member at Keene State College. She has been a soloist with the Boston Pops.  She is currently the Dean of Faculty at Brattleboro Music Center and serves on the piano faculty at Amherst College.

Housing and Food
Kinhaven has camp facilities consisting of communal cabins with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. There is electricity in all cabins. The Common Room in the Main House will be available day and night for reading, visiting, and relaxing in front of the fireplace.

Participants have the option of commuting from one of the many inns or motels in the area. A list of inns is available here. Meals will be provided from Friday supper to Tuesday lunch. The Kinhaven kitchen is famous for its delicious homemade fare—fresh, nutritious and non-institutional. Vegetarian meals will be available.

Costs
Tuition: $850 includes all musical activities, room and meals. Commuters: $775 includes everything except room and breakfast.
On-campus non-participating guests and family members: $425 (includes room and meals); off-campus: $375 (includes meals).
Full payment is due by April 1, 2010.

How to Apply
The application can be found in the Kinhaven Music School brochure and online.  To receive a brochure, you may call the admissions office at (610) 868-9200, email the office at kinhavenmusic@aol.com.

Audition recording requirements
A home recording or copy of a live performance is fine. The recording can be on a cassette (audio or VHS), CD or DVD. A solo work is preferable. However, a piece of chamber music with the piano clearly defined will be acceptable.

Please be sure to label the recording media and case with your name and the work performed.

Send the completed application and recording to:
Kinhaven Adult Piano Workshop
Leander Bien, Director
9 Lopa Court
North Potomac, MD 20878

If you have further questions, please phone (301) 340-6583 or email lebien@aol.