About SMU*IYP

The SMU Institute for Young Pianists offers a week of intensive performance experience for pre-collegiate students, grades 4-12.

IN 2021, SMU will host 12 exceptional young pianists to participate in the advanced level. Each student will be given  opportunities for performances on and off campus as well as private lessons and master classes with Distinguished Guest Artist Faculty for 2021, Angela Cheng and Alvin Chow (Oberlin) as well as SMU piano faculty David Karp, Carol Leone, Catharine Lysinger, Hyae-jin Hwang, Kevin Gunter, and returning guest faculty Alex McDonald (DMA, Juilliard).

24 students will be accepted for participation in the intermediate levels . Each student will study with graduates and current graduate students in the Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy degree at SMU. Additionally, some will study with SMU piano and piano pedagogy faculty. Experiences include public performances, daily private lessons, master classes, , ensemble, theory, history, and keyboard skills.

​Click here to see sample daily schedules!
Founding Director: Dr. Cathy Lysinger
Co-directors: Kevin Gunter and Dr. Hyae-jin Hwang

​Previous Distinguished Faculty:
  • Andrew Brownell (UT Austin) -2019
  • Nelita True (Eastman) - 2017
  • Nancy Weems (U. of Houston) - 2017
  • ​John Weems (Houston, TX) - 2017
  • Jennifer Hayghe (UC Boulder) - 2016
  • Logan Skelton (U. Michigan) - 2015
  • Andrew Parr (Stephen F. Austin State) - 2014
  • Linda Parr (Stephen F. Austin State) - 2014
  • Courtney Crappell (U. of Houston) - 2012
​Click here to see sample daily schedules!
​Click here to see our past highlights!

Intermediate & Advanced Leveling

​IYP organizes the students into approximately 7 groups of 8-10 children who are of comparable age and repertoire level. Our aim is to provide an experience most appropriate for each pianist with the following general guidelines. Please direct any questions about leveling to Kevin Gunter, as the following is merely a general guideline.

Intermediate: rising 4th grade - rising 9th grade.  Repertoire level ranges from Bach Minuet and a movement of a Clementi Sonatina up to repertoire at the level of Mozart Sonata, K. 545 and a Grieg Nocturne. 

Advanced: age 12-17. Minimal repertoire level ranges from Chopin Nocturne in B Major, Op. 32 and Haydn Sonata in E Flat Major, Hob XVI/32. Students in the advanced level receive longer lessons (45 minutes daily),  longer masterclasses (90 minutes daily), longer practice time blocks, and special lecture classes.

Tuition and fees

  • Intermediate Level - $575 - must be rising 4th grader or older
  • Advanced Level - $775
  • Room and Board (optional) - $475 - must be at least 12 years old 

Opportunity

  • Performances in Caruth Auditorium
  • Masterclasses
  • Private lessons and ensemble coachings
  • History, theory, and keyboard skills instruction​​

Faculty

  • SMU Piano Faculty
  • Visiting faculty from top schools in the US
  • Distinguished teachers in the DFW area
  • Current  M.M. Performance & Pedagogy SMU students

Eligibility

  • Intermediate, and Advanced levels
  • Audition required for all levels
  • Overnight and day camp options​
  • Applications TBA

Facilities

  • Practice rooms with Steinway grands
  • Caruth Auditorium performance hall
  • Yamaha keyboard lab
  • Beautiful SMU Campus
  • 15 minutes from Downtown Dallas