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MFA in Piano Performance, Recording and Contemporary Career Development
The Ultimate One-Year Practical Experience for Modern Pianists
Dr. Svetlana Smolina
Program Director
Acclaimed Russian solo and concert pianist, Director of Piano at the Philadelphia International Music Festival
Interested in more information? Submit the form:
Students from the United States can request information about Financial Aid at info@eafa.iamu.edu
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The world does not need yet another common-practice piano degree. The Piano Conservatory at the European Academy of Fine Arts has designed an innovative new programme with a tutorial staff of world-renowned classical pianists, contemporary jazz pianists, conductors, recording & mix engineers, music producers and visionaries.
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A core objective of this Master of Fine Arts degree programme is to address the contemporary needs of the performing and recording artist in our digital age. Students will master the art of recording, editing, mixing and mastering the audio and video components of their rehearsals and performances, hone their self-management skills and discover the potential for exploitation of their unique musical identity to the global marketplace.
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Students will study under principal piano professors in Sofia and with guest artists from surrounding European capital cities such as Vienna, Berlin, Paris, or London.
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The final Masters project culminates with a live performance of a piano concerto with symphony orchestra. These performances, together with the student's final solo recital, are professionally recorded [multi-track multi-cam HD audio and video], mixed and mastered for inclusion in the student's professional portfolio.
Can't move to Sofia for a year? Check out our unique Low-Residency option for this degree programme.
9 Module Catalogue
Module 1: Solo Piano
(6 credits)
Svetlana Smolina, Module Leader
Study piano at the Conservatory with our prominent piano artists who visit from throughout Europe.
Module 2: Teaching Pedagogy
(6 credits)
Svetlana Smolina, Module Leader
Learn integral components of effective piano teaching pedagogy from all of our faculty. To teach is to learn is to grow.
Module 3: Comping and
Cross-Style Versatility (6 credits)
Mike Lang, Module Leader
Equip yourself to handle any gig, including comping & accompanying contemporary singers / instrumentalists.
Film Scoring Masters, Piano Masters, Composition Competition
Module 4: Career Development, Promotion and Programming
(6 credits)
Module Leader TBA
Getting the gig: learn modern strategies of marketing, effective self-promotion and online presence.
Module 5: Piano Recording, Mixing and Videography
(3 credits)
Debbie Smith, Module Leader
In this age of technology, it's not enough to just play. Master how to mic, record, mix, and edit your audio and video footage.
Module 6: Chamber Ensemble Performance & Advanced Listening Techniques (3 credits)
Module Leader TBA
Discover a higher level of musical awareness, communication & sight reading skills through immersion and practice.
Module 7: The Art of Operatic Accompaniment
(3 credits)
Module Leader TBA
Refine the subtle intricacies of accompanying vocalists, instrumentalists and ensembles.
Module 8: Solo Recital
Performance
(3 credits)
Svetlana Smolina, Module Leader
Perform a solo piano recital. (Programming agreed upon in conjunction with our faculty.)
Module 9: Major Project,
Concerto Performance
(18 credits)
Svetlana Smolina, Module Leader
A unique opportunity: perform the concerto of your choice with a professional symphony orchestra.
Total Credits: 54
6 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Six merit-based scholarships offered to qualifying students as determined by the Admissions Board. No additional scholarship applications. All accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships.
Sergei Rachmaninoff Scholarship
The Admissions Board will grant the "Sergei Rachmaninoff Scholarship" to an accepted student in Spring 2021. Submit the program deposit before January 1st, 2021 to qualify.
Amount:
€3,000
Clara Schumann Scholarship
The Admissions Board will grant the "Clara Schumann Scholarship" to an accepted student in Spring 2021. Submit the program deposit before February 1st, 2021 to qualify.
Amount:
€3,000
Edvard Grieg Scholarship
The Admissions Board will grant the "Edvard Grieg Scholarship" to an accepted student in Spring 2021. Submit the program deposit before March 1st, 2021 to qualify.
Amount:
€3,000
Ludwig van Beethoven
Scholarship
The Admissions Board will name an annual "Ludwig van Beethoven Scholarship" recipient in Spring 2021.
Amount:
€3,000
W. A. Mozart
Scholarship
The Admissions Board will name an annual "Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Scholarship" recipient in Spring 2021.
Amount:
€3,000
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Scholarship
The Admissions Board will name an annual "Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Scholarship" recipient in Spring 2021.
Amount:
€3,000