Thus, as years go by, the process of teaching and sharing becomes increasingly important. PianoSummer also brings together outstanding artists-teachers, whose artistic excellence matches their devotion to teaching. The faculty is impressive indeed. Each student takes lessons with every member of the faculty, and therefore, gets multi-dimensional perspectives, and unique insights into the repertoire. Such training helps our students develop their own approach, and discover something important about music and themselves.
All events are open to the public, so students learn how to perform in front of an audience.
Three years ago, the Jacob Flier International Competition was established honoring the memory of my teacher Jacob Flier, a distinguished Russian pianist, who taught for many years at the Moscow Conservatory and brought up generations of prominent musicians. The First prize winner performs a piano concerto with the Festival Orchestra conducted by me in the Symphony Gala, which concludes our month-long program. The Second and Third prize winners share a solo recital. PianoSummer at New Paltz is six years old and keeps expanding. Last summer of 2000, we had 54 students from 12 countries.