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The online Piano Artist Performance Graduate Diploma has attracted the attention of pianists from around the world.
A Revolutionary One-Year Digital Experience
A comprehensive piano education, reimagined for modern performers, designed to enable them to be successful in the digital world. Rolling enrollment, so you can embark on the journey whenever it's convenient for you.
The 30-credit Piano Artist Performance Graduate Diploma includes individual lessons and masterclasses with some of the most sought after names in the piano world, sessions on portfolio development, audience building, home studio recording and streaming, designing and implementing a creative & professional online presence, and more.
Now enrolling! Submit a Free Application
Piano Recording & Streaming Technology Bundle
Included in your tuition and shipped directly to your home is our exclusive arsenal of home studio recording technology every pianist should own, valued at €2,700. Includes the Audio SCX25APS Piano Mic Kit, a Mackie 12-channel mixer, an Audient Evo 8 audio interface, an Audix lapel microphone and preamp, tripod, XLR cables, and a phone camera mount.
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Study Privately With Some of the World's Most Renowned Pianists
We've engaged some of the most brilliant piano educators in the world, and thanks to our Piano Recording & Streaming Technology Bundle, students will have interactive lessons with them every week.
5 Module Catalogue
A module catalogue meticulously designed and refined, in consultation with piano professionals from around the world, to deliver the most comprehensive piano artist education we could imagine. Plus, choose to take an optional elective.
Module 1 (14 credits)
Solo Piano: One-on-One Private Lessons
All students receive bespoke individual piano study over the course of 8 months with our distinguished performing artist faculty in one-on-one synchronous and asynchronous online lessons, thanks to our Piano Recording and Streaming Technology Bundle.
Module 2 (1 credit)
Career Development, Promotion and Programming
Most musicians depart university programs with a technical proficiency on their chosen instrument allowing them to competently navigate the artistic side of their career, but careers often come to a halt when musicians find themselves unequipped to navigate the business aspects of their professional lives. Get the gig: learn modern strategies of marketing, effective self-promotion and online presence.
Module 3 (3 credits)
Piano Recording, Mixing and Videography
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. Students will also acquire the skills to effectively record, edit and deliver asynchronous and synchronous performances for evaluation of their individual one-on-one private piano lessons.
Module 4 (3 credits)
Theory of Repertoire Analysis & Performance Practice
A thorough understanding of the composer’s intentions requires a body of harmonic and contrapuntal knowledge that allows the performer to evaluate and analyze the composition in a fashion that illuminates the colors and shading inherent in the composer’s vision of the performance. Through analysis and exploration, the student will determine where the emphasis must be placed for chordal balance and linear distinction of inner lines.
Module 5 (9 credits)
Final Project: Solo Recital Performance
Pianists will perform a recital, programmed in consultation with our faculty, that will be fully produced, edited, and delivered to the world, not just a small audience in a piano hall. All Graduate performances will be showcased by The Piano Conservatory's online platforms.
Optional Elective (3 credits)
Comping and Cross-Style Versatility
An optional elective is provided for students to study the art of comping, cross-style versatility, and fundamental improvisational techniques. This module's objective is to provide students with a basic facility to accompany, not only classically trained singers and instrumentalists, but those singers and instrumentalists that have been reared in non-classical styles such as country, pop, jazz, rock, latin, etc.
Annual Graduate Concerto Prize
All Graduate Recitals will be adjudicated each calendar year by The Piano Conservatory's Concerto Jury, with one candidate selected for an all-expenses-paid concerto opportunity with a professional orchestra in Bulgaria during the following summer months.
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Explanation of Educational HierarchyEuropean Academy of Fine Arts, Sofia is an Instructional Site of Irish American University, oferring a 1) Master of Fine Arts in Music for Motion Pictures and Contemporary Media at the Film Scoring Academy of Europe and 2) MFA in Piano Performance, Recording and Contemporary Career Development at The Piano Academy.
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What's the difference between an MFA and MA?An MFA (Master of Fine Arts), alongside a PhD, is considered to be a terminal degree (especially in the United States) whereas an MA (Master of Arts) is considered to be a stepping stone to doctoral study. A substantial portion of an MFA programme is comprised of applied, practice-based activities and production, whereas an MA will usually give greater weight to traditional academic study and research. Many universities accept an MFA as a qualifier comparable to a PhD for professorship and tenure.
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There are so many Masters programs in Film Scoring out there these days. Why choose the Film Scoring Academy of Europe?Simply put, we offer the most comprehensive recording portfolio opportunities of any of the world's film scoring masters degree programs. Our faculty have an extensive history in education and industry practice. Living expenses in Sofia are a fraction of the cost of other cities such as Valencia, Los Angeles, Boston, London, or New York City.
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When is the application deadline?The Admissions Board will review applications and issue admissions decisions every month. The application portal will close as soon as the MFA programme has reached capacity with accepted and enrolled candidates. There is no application deadline, but composers are advised to submit an application as soon as they are able, in order to avoid the risk of losing an opportunity to be selected for the 2020 MFA class.
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Does the European Academy of Fine Arts provide financial aid?At the moment, the European Academy of Fine Arts does not provide institutional financial aid, but grants four (4) merit-based scholarships of €5,000 to deserving students as determined by the admissions board, two (2) merit-based scholarships of €2,500 to deserving students who participate in the Film Scoring Summer Program and wish to transition into the MFA Programme, and one (1) merit-based scholarship of €2,500 to one of the Top 10 Finalists of the Oticons Faculty International Film Music Competition. In order to be eligible to be considered for a scholarship, you must pay your tuition deposit on or before the advertised date, as listed in the Scholarships section on the MFA page. For United States students, Financial Aid is available! Please inquire at info@eafa.iamu.edu
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Do I need a Visa to participate in an MFA at the European Academy of Fine Arts?Students coming from within the EU will not need a student Visa. They'll simply enter the country and apply for a residence permit after they arrive. Students coming from outside the EU will need a student Visa. Student visas will be coordinated with the Visa department at NATFA.
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Who are the musicians that play on the recording sessions?The European Academy of Fine Arts partners with the European Recording Orchestra (ERO) for all recording sessions. The European Recording Orchestra (ERO) is a contemporary orchestra based in Sofia, Bulgaria specializing in studio recording for film, TV, and other contemporary mediums and styles. Comprised of some of the finest orchestral session musicians from approximately one dozen countries across Eastern Europe, the European Recording Orchestra (ERO) regularly records at Bulgarian National Radio Studio 1, Doli Media Studio, and the Sofia Session Studio.
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I'm from the USA; how can I apply for Financial Aid through FAFSA?Accepted students from the United States will be given individual support on how to apply for financial aid via the FAFSA. If you have an immediate question on this subject, please email us at info@eafa.iamu.edu
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Do I need to stay in Sofia for Semester 3 (Major Project), or can I go home?"Student presence in the coursework Semesters 1 and 2 is required, but not required for Semester 3, which means you can go home (or anywhere!) to complete your Major Project. All submissions for the Major Project can be sent remotely. You do have the option of staying in Sofia for Semester 3, if you wish.
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Is Sofia a nice place to live?Sofia is a beautiful place to live! The cuisine is lovely, it is home to an incredible amount of culture, and its proximity to other countries and wonderful cities throughout Eastern Europe is a major plus. If you are not familiar with the Bulgarian traditions in music, you should definitely do some research! We're proud to call this lovely city our home.
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What is the Film Scoring Summer Program?The Film Scoring Summer Program is a 3.5 week film scoring summer course with 4 recording sessions, 4-star hotel accommodation, and 5 days with Christopher Young, all in the beach town of Varna, Bulgaria. 2 scholarship opportunities are available to alumni of the Film Scoring Summer Program who are accepted onto the MFA programme at the Film Scoring Academy of Europe. More information at the Film Scoring Summer Program website.
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How do I prove Music Theory Proficiency?Simply submit copies of all degrees and/or certifications in music that you have achieved with your application, and detail their level of study in Music Theory. If applicable, attached proof of additional study in Music Theory.
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If I'm accepted, do I need to apply for the Scholarships?"No. All accepted students (who meet the deposit requirements for each scholarship) are automatically considered by the Admissions Board for the scholarships. No extra applications are necessary.