Frequently Asked Questions
In all likelihood, you can easily answer the question, “Why would I do this program?” for yourself.
Music defines your daily life and piano occupies you constantly.
We've designed Edmonton Summer Piano Academy for people like you.
If you’re interested in the Performance Intensive, you’re a pre-college student who loves performing and wants to learn where piano playing can take you. Your next steps are advanced examinations, auditions, competitions, and summer programs. You want performance experience.
If you’re interested in the Pedagogy Intensive, you spend your days teaching, researching/assisting at a university, or running a music school. You want to learn new pedagogical ideas, piano literature, and perform on a higher level. Your schedule makes it difficult to tacke new repertoire: you need time to practice.
Below are ten FAQs we’ve received while designing this program. We hope to receive your application and meet you in July 2026!
1. What is Edmonton Summer Piano Academy?
Edmonton Summer Piano Academy is a 10-day summer program for performance-based learning. Performance Intensive students will play in master classes and concerts. Pedagogy Intensive students will take workshops to gain new teaching approaches, knowledge of advanced repertoire, and technical problem-solving skills. This program is a hands-on, experiential, focused and exciting learning experience.
2. Who is the program for?
Edmonton Summer Piano Academy includes two programs:
Piano Performance Intensive:
Piano students aged 12-17 (high-school/pre-college) entering competitions, taking advanced examinations, and auditioning for undergraduate programs.
Piano Pedagogy Intensive:
Piano pedagogues (private studios, pre-colleges, community schools) seeking professional development through observing master classes, participating in seminars, workshops, and attending recitals.
(Above: Jarred Dunn plays Chopin Mazurkas Op. 30 at the Ocean Music Foundation Chopin Festival in New York City, 2024)
3. What do the Edmonton Sumer Piano Academy programs include?
For the complete curriculum, see Program page..
Both programs involve an in depth exploration of the piano literature in master classes . The program also features group seminars and workshops. Individual practice time is scheduled daily.
Practice rooms are available daily from 8:00am - 10:00pm, each participant signs up for 2 hours (minimum) daily practice time.
Add-on/Extra learning opportunities are available: private lessons, recording space for pre-screening/audition programs, mock-examinations, and mock-auditions.
4. What is the program cost?
Tuition fees are set:
Performance Intensive: $3,700.00 CAD
Pedagogy Intensive: $2,500.00 CAD
Tuition fees do not include room/board or travel/insurance: those costs are borne by the participants themselves. For more information about housing, see question 9 below.
5. How do I apply?
Online application avialable here.
6. Am I ready for this program? What repertoire is required/expected?
You are ready for this program if you want to be immersed in piano practicing, musical skill-building, and performing. See below for repertoire expectations on active participants.
Repertoire: Performance Intensive
Students at RCM/CC Level 10 or above are encouraged to apply. Exceptional students at RCM/CC Level 9 or below will be considered. The repertoire presented at Summer Academy should include the following:
—45-60 minutes of solo works and etudes
—One concerto for piano and orchestra, to be played with second piano
Repertoire: Pedagogy Intensive
Teachers and Graduate Students playing repertoire RCM/CC Level 8 or above.
—15-20 minutes of any repertoire (solo, chamber/collaborative, concerto).
7. Where is this program held?
Piano Bootcamp is held at King’s University Department of Music in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada).
8. What facilities are available?
The following are available at King’s University Department of Music:
1) Knopper’s Concert Hall: master classes, seminars, evening recitals
2) Practice Rooms: one- and two-piano rooms available from 8:00am - 10:00pm.
9. Does the program have on-site housing? Yes! You can stay on-campus at King’s within walking distance of the Music School. King’s University Housing Department organizes this. King’s cafeteria will be accessible for on-campus dining.
To arrange on-campus accommodation, click here.
10. Who teaches this program?
Dr. Jarred Dunn (Artistic Director) is responsible for teaching master classes, facilitating workshops/seminars, and curating participant concerts. For more information, check the Bio page.
Click the video below to watch Jarred's recent appearance with Anna Górecka on PianoPod regarding his critically-acclaimed album Górecki's World of the Piano.