Advanced Piano Program
Program
The Frost Prep Advanced Piano Program is a division of the Frost School of Music Preparatory Program at the University of Miami. Designed as an exclusive program for piano students who are ready for more intensive and immersive studies, this program prepares them for a career in the music world and for the best universities in the country and abroad.
The Frost Prep Advanced Piano Program was created by Dr. Luca Cubisino in 2019 thanks to the support of Frost Prep Director Dr. Megan Walsh and Frost School of Music Dean Shelton Berg as well as the Frost Department of Keyboard Performance Faculty. Soon after the first few months of activity, the program faced the pandemic disruption and the enormous hardship it generated in the arts industry. Nevertheless, the program has been experiencing an increase in number of students and achievements, foreseeing an exponential growth in the upcoming years. Its geographic position, Miami’s extraordinary cultural turn of the past years, and the fact that it is a leading reality in the Southeast of the United States, make this program unique and strategic.
Students of the program have been winning top prizes in more than forty piano competitions, awarded scholarships for the Coral Gables Jr. Music Club, Florida Federation of Music Clubs, Miami Music Teachers Foundation, Chopin Foundation of the United States, etc., and playing with major orchestras of South Florida, including the Greater Miami Youth Symphony, Orchestra Miami, and the New World Symphony Side-by-Side Orchestra. Moreover, our students have been admitted into the undergraduate programs of major universities (some with full scholarship) such as the Frost School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, New York University, Royal College and Royal Academy of Music in London, and so forth.
Since its establishment and with a minimal budget, the Frost Prep Advanced Piano Program has been able to invite some of the most celebrated pianists and pedagogues of today’s musical scene for masterclasses and events. This list includes names such as Angela Hewitt, one of the world’s leading concert pianists; Michelle Cann, Professor and Eleanor Sokoloff Chair in Piano at the Curtis Institute of Music; Zlata Chochieva, whose complete Chopin Études have been listed by Gramophone among the 10 greatest Chopin recordings; and Victor Rosenbaum, New England Conservatory Faculty for 55 consecutive years.
The Advanced Piano Program also creates learning opportunities not only for its students but also for members of the Miami community who cultivate an interest in music. Our students come from all over South Florida bringing to Coral Gables cultural enrichment and endless talent because they decide to stay and follow their musical inspirations studying in our program, rather than leaving for other pre-college programs, such as Juilliard’s or New England Conservatory's.
Curriculum
The Frost Prep Advanced Piano Program is the result of years of observations, studies, and consultations at some of the most authoritative schools in Europe and the United States, following a ten-year-long curriculum based on the old traditions of the classical Conservatory. Rigorous in the admission selection as well as in nurturing talents, the program offers a comprehensive curriculum that allows students to develop technical and artistic abilities at the highest level. As such, students’ commitment is essential for their standing in the program.
Classes and private lessons are offered to elementary through high school students from August through May, with the possibility to extend them during the summer. Besides regular piano lessons with Dr. Luca Cubisino and Dr. Ana Ivanchenko, and courses that broaden their knowledge of music history and piano performance idioms, students are encouraged to participate in masterclasses, competitions, scholarship auditions, recitals, and lessons (by teacher request) with the Frost School of Music Faculty of the Department of Keyboard Performance.
Students must enroll in Piano Lessons for the entire duration of the program and choose among other courses, such as Music Theory/Ear Training, Piano Literature, and Chamber Music. The curriculum is divided into 4 main levels: Beginner (years 1-3), Intermediate (years 4-6), Early Advanced (years 7-8), and Advanced (years 9-10). To obtain a certificate of level completion, students must pass all the courses. Piano yearly requirements for enrolled students include repertoire completion (list provided upon acceptance), midterm and final juries, monthly studio classes as well as Fall and Spring recitals.
Admissions & Tuition
To apply for the 2024/2025 academic school year and be considered for a free live audition, applicants must submit an Application Form by August 3, 2024. A short biography and 2 links to video recordings will also be requested along with the application. An early audition is also offered to students attending our Summer Intensive (please read below).
Please read the following information on the application process before submitting your material.
Eligibility
Although there is no minimum age requirement, the program only accepts applicants who display a high level of pianistic abilities. However, the ten-year-long syllabus is designed to reflect the age range from 8 to 18 years old, which will also be taken into consideration in the student’s placement in case of acceptance. The audition process is comprised of two phases: a pre-screening video recording and a live audition:
Pre-screening Material and Repertoire
To be considered for a free audition, applicants must submit the following:
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Application Form for Admission.
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Current resume/bio.
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Video recording of two pieces of different styles (from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern/Contemporary periods). The works recorded must be performed from memory.
If selected, the applicant will be invited for a live audition, for which the repertoire can differ from the one submitted for pre-screening.
Live Audition Repertoire
All works prepared for the live audition must be performed from memory, unless otherwise agreed with the audition committee. Such cases may be considered only for some repertoire composed during the 20th or 21st century.
Summer Intensive Sessions
The Frost Prep Advanced Piano Program offers a series of intensive sessions during the summer (usually in May/June), which function as a continuation of the program for current students, but also as a way to experience the program’s faculty and activities for external students who would like to know more about it. More info and application can be found at this link.
Contact
Dr. Luca Cubisino, DMA Piano Performance
Frost Prep Advanced Piano Program | Coordinator
Frost School of Music, University of Miami
(+1) 512-738-3527
Live Audition Requirements:
Students of ages 11 and under
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A work by J.S. Bach
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The first movement of a sonata or a sonatina by a Classical composer
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A free program between 3 and 5 minutes
Students of ages 12 through 15
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A work by J.S. Bach, excluding the Little Preludes
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The first movement of a sonata by a Classical composer
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A free program between 5 and 10 minutes
Students of ages 16 and over
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A work by J.S. Bach, excluding the Little Preludes
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The first movement of a sonata by a Classical composer
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A free program between 10 and 15 minutes
Donations, Sponsors, and Partners
The Frost Prep Advanced Piano Program highly values music education and strongly believes that the right for its pursuit cannot be compromised by students’ means. Please, consider contributing with a donation and taking an active part in transforming our vision into an opportunity. This will make a difference in the artistic careers of these young talents.
All our Donors, Sponsors, and Partners’ generosity is recognized by mentioning them in every digital and printed material we use to promote our activities, including our social media, newsletters, posters, recital/masterclass programs, digital displays, etc. They will also be verbally acknowledged in all our events open to the public.
We are thankful to the individuals and institutions who have addressed their generosity toward our students, including a “Platinum” Anonymous Donor and the Coral Gables Community Foundation. We also treasure our partnership with the Steinway Piano Gallery in Coral Gables, which brings an additional value to our endeavors.
Student Acceptance, Trial, & Placement
Upon completion of the necessary requirements and a successful audition, students will be placed into the corresponding level depending on their age and proficiency.
In cases when the applicant is recognized as talented and promising, but lacks important and required items (such as repertoire, technique, etc.), the student may be offered a one-year “trial” period, pending admission into the program.
If not selected for the Frost Prep Advanced Piano Program, the applicant may still apply for the regular Preparatory Program at the Frost School of Music, which offers great performing opportunities and a chance to study with some of the most successful musicians and teachers based in South Florida.
Timeline for 2024
April 14:
Application deadline for early auditions (only for students attending the Summer Intensive -please read below).
August 3:
Application and pre-screening videos due.
August 5:
Pre-screening results announced.
August 10:
Live auditions.
August 11:
Audition results posted
Piano Faculty
Luca Cubisino
