2026 Piano Program
Valencia International Performing Arts Summer Festival
July 7-16, 2026
- Program Overview
- 2026 Piano Faculty
- Applying
- Program Info
- Competition
PIANO Faculty
- Juan Lago, Head, VIPA Piano, Escuela Superior Musical Arts, Madrid / Conservatorio “José Iturbi”, Valencia
- Boris Slutsky, Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore
- Claudio Martínez Mehner, Hochschule für Musik Basel and Köhln
- Eldar Nebolsin, Hanns Eisler Musikhochschule, Berlin
- Pavel Nersessian, Boston University
- Fabio Bidini, The Colburn Conservatory, Los Angeles
- Chun-Chieh Yen, National Normal Taiwan University
2026 Festival Quick Facts
Early Deadline: March 31 // Hard Deadline: April 30 (NOTE: Applications will be reviewed and notified on a rolling basis until all positions are filled)
Participants will receive 5 individual lessons from members of the Piano Faculty.
Participants can take active part in all presentations, lectures and workshops, both in the Composition and Piano programs.
Opportunity to perform at the school’s Auditorium or at VIPA Concert Festival in Centre del Carme (Note: multi-track video recording can be ordered, but it is purchased separately)
Free admission to all recitals, concerts, and masterclasses happening at VIPA 2026
Opportunity to take part in VIPA Piano Competition, in the corresponding category
UPDATE: 40€ discount on applications until January 15, 2026!
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Get ready for VIPA Piano 2026!
Join an exceptional program led by the distinguished pianist and pedagogue Juan Lago, featuring an outstanding roster of internationally renowned artists and educators: Boris Slutsky, Pavel Nersessian, Eldar Nebolsin, Claudio Martínez-Mehner, Fabio Bidini, and Chun-Chieh Yen.
Experience an inspiring environment where music, artistry, and education come together in perfect harmony. The VIPA 2026 Piano Program will take place July 7–16 at the Ateneo Musical del Puerto, located in one of Valencia’s most vibrant seaside neighborhoods.
Valencia, one of Europe’s most exciting summer destinations, provides the ideal setting for a unique blend of music, culture, and lasting memories.
Save the dates and be part of this unforgettable musical experience!
Ateneo Musical del Puerto, Auditorium, stage
PRO DIVISION
VIPA Piano Pro Division is designed for pianists/students 18 or older who are currently enrolled in a college-level degree or have already completed it. Exceptions to the age limit may occur, but need to be approved by the Director, based on artistic suitability.
At VIPA Piano PRO, students will have the opportunity to work with the following outstanding pianists and pedagogues:
Juan Lago, Head, VIPA Piano, Escuela Superior Musical Arts, Madrid / Conservatorio “José Iturbi”, Valencia
Boris Slutsky, Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore
Claudio Martínez Mehner, Hochschule für Musik Basel and Köhln
Eldar Nebolsin, Hanns Eisler Musikhochschule, Berlin
Pavel Nersessian, Boston University
Fabio Bidini, The Colburn Conservatory, Los Angeles
Chun-Chieh Yen, National Normal Taiwan University
ACTIVE PRO students will receive:
- 5 individual lessons of 45’. Students can specify teacher preferences. As far as possible, with the goal of providing a varied learning experience to the students, the organization will try to accommodate requests, but it’s encouraged to take lessons by as many different teachers as possible, in order to obtain the best benefit from the VIPA experience and its diversity.
- Access to all other students’ individual lessons as auditors.
- Possibility to take part in VIPA 2026 Piano Competition, category A.
- Full access and opportunity to participate in all workshops, seminars, lectures, and presentations taking place during the festival.
- Opportunity to perform in one of the concerts, either in the School’s Auditorium or at the VIPA Concert Festival in Centre del Carme, a spectacular medieval cloister located in the heart of the old city of Valencia. Selection of students will be made by the faculty during the course.
- Full access to all the concerts of the VIPA Concert Festival.
- Certificate of participation at VIPA.
JUNIOR DIVISION
VIPA JUNIOR Division is designed for pianists/students under 18 who are currently enrolled in a pre-college level music school, or pursue private piano studies with sufficient accomplishment.
At VIPA Piano JUNIOR Division, students will have the opportunity to work with the following outstanding pianists and pedagogues:
CHUN-CHIEH YEN (National Normal Taiwan University)
JUAN LAGO (Head of VIPA Piano, Musical Arts Madrid & “José Iturbi” Conservatory)
IN ADDITION, Junior Students will have the opportunity to receive TWO lessons, to choose between FABIO BIDINI, CLAUDIO MARTINEZ MEHNER, PAVEL NERSESSIAN or BORIS SLUTSKY.
ACTIVE JUNIOR students will receive:
- 5 individual lessons of 45’. Students can specify teacher preferences, but they can only choose ONE lesson with either Fabio Bidini, Claudio MArtínez-Mehner, Pavel Nersessian OR Boris Slutsky, subject to their available hours. As far as possible, with the goal of providing a varied learning experience to the students, the organisation will try to accommodate requests, but it’s encouraged to take lessons by as many different teachers as possible, in order to obtain the best benefit from the VIPA experience and its diversity.
- Access to all other students’ individual lessons as auditors.
- Possibility to take part in VIPA Piano Competition, categories B or C.
- Full access and opportunity to participate in all workshops, seminars, lectures, and presentations taking place during the festival.
- Opportunity to perform in one of the concerts at the Conservatory’s Auditorium. Selection of students will be made by the faculty during the course.
- Full access to all the concerts of the VIPA Concert Festival.
- Certificate of participation in VIPA
2026 Piano Faculty
Juan Lago
VIPA Piano Program Director
Conservatorio Superior de Música "José Iturbi" // Valencia, Spain
Boris Slutsky
Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore
Pavel Nersessian
Boston University
Eldar Nebolsin
Hanns Eisler Musikhochschule, Berlin
Claudio Martínez Mehner
Hochschule für Musik Basel and Köhln
Chun-Chieh Yen
National Normal Taiwan University
Fabio Bidini
The Colburn Conservatory, Los Angeles
Tuition, Fees, and Other Information
- Active piano PRO student: 830€
- Active piano JUNIOR student: 540€
- Auditor student: 150€ (free for VIPA alumni)
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS!
Pianists who attended VIPA in previous years will have the following discounts:
– PRO students: 70€ discount
– JUNIOR students: 50€ discount
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
-
Early Deadline: March 31 (Apply by this date to get an extra 30€ discount!)
-
Hard Deadline: April 30
(NOTE: Applications will be reviewed and notified on a rolling basis until all positions are filled)
*Late applications will be accepted after April 30, only if there are openings available or last-minute cancellations.
To apply as an ACTIVE student, the applicants shall fill-in the Piano Performance Application Form. As soon as the application is received, reviewed and accepted, VIPA will send an acceptance letter with all instructions.
METHOD OF PAYMENT: Upon acceptance to the program, participants will receive instructions as to how to make payments through either bank transfer or credit card. Any bank transaction fees are the responsibility of the student.
SUBMISSION MATERIALS:
All application data and materials are to be sent electronically through the Piano Performance Application Form. VIPA supports an environment-friendly and expense-free philosophy and hopes to avoid the unnecessary use of paper products, as well as the cost of postal fees. Applications should include the following:
- COMPLETELY FILLED APPLICATION FORM
- CURRICULUM VITAE or RESUME (include: educational background, schools, teachers, degrees, awards, prizes, previous festivals attended, and any relevant performances and/or professional experience). Submit your resume through a link in the application form.
- AUDIO/VIDEO materials are not compulsory, but highly recommended. Free choice of program. For video materials, please send a link to YouTube, Vimeo, or similar services. For Audio, send us a link to DropBox, WeTransfer or any other file transfer system.
Questions may be directed to: [email protected].
The Venue
ATENEO MUSICAL DEL PUERTO
The Ateneo Musical del Puerto building, completed in 2010, stands as a modern educational and artistic facility built to the highest construction standards in Spain. With over 2,500 square meters of usable space distributed across six floors, it houses an impressive range of specialized spaces, including an auditorium, classrooms, masterclass rooms, instrumental studios, and practice rooms—all soundproofed and fully connected through high-speed Wi-Fi.
Its 170-seat Auditorium (Salón de Actos) features a 102 m² stage, ideal for orchestra rehearsals, concerts, recitals, and masterclasses. Equipped with a grand piano, it offers optimal conditions for both teaching and public performances.
HOUSING
VIPA encourages (but does not require) students to book the tuition & accommodation bundle, as accommodation prices in Valencia tend to rise significantly during the summer. A limited number of rooms are available exclusively for VIPA participants, so early booking upon acceptance is highly recommended to secure your preferred option.
This year, VIPA offers two housing options, both in modern student residences featuring private rooms with bathroom and kitchenette:
1. Micampus Student Residence – Located approximately 20–25 minutes on foot from the Ateneo.
- Single room: 715 €
- Double room: 462 € per person
The lodging package for VIPA Composition students includes 11 nights (July 6 – July 17).
Please note that this is a complete package — no additional nights can be added or subtracted.
2. Livensa Living Valencia Marina Real – Just a 2-minute walk from the Ateneo, this stylish residence offers the same type of rooms (with private bathroom and kitchenette) and a swimming pool.
- Single room: 858 €
- Double room: 696 € per person
The same lodging package dates apply (July 6 – July 17), and extra nights cannot be added or removed.
More information about both residences can be found on the following links:
Room at MiCampus Residence
Leisure space at Micampus
Room at Livensa Studios
Leisure space at Livensa Studios
2026 VIPA Piano Competition
Category A: Pianists with no age limit
Category B: Pianists who are 17 years or younger at the beginning of the competition
Category C: Pianists who are 13 years or younger at the beginning of the competition
Category A: Absolute Prize
- 400€
- Free tuition attendance at VIPA 2026, PRO Division
- Recital in Valencia during VIPA 2026
Category B: Absolute prize
- 300€
- 50% reduction on tuition attendance at VIPA 2026, JUNIOR Division
Category C: Absolute prize
- 250€
Besides these Absolute prizes, there will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in all other categories, for each of which a specific diploma will be issued. However, these prizes will have no economic compensation
VIPA Piano Competition is a recognition of the work developed and artistic value of each and every one of our VIPA students. Besides age categorization, the only condition to participate is to be registered as an active VIPA Festival student during the competition.
The Jury, composed by different personalities from the music world, reserves the right to not to award a prize, or to share a prize. Other provisions may apply. All decisions of the Jury are final and not subject to appeal.
The competition will consist of one single round that will take place at the school building’s Auditorium, on a date to be announced, within the course days.
The repertoire to be presented is free, and can be announced before the competition begins. However, there will be a time limitation for performance in each of the four categories:
- Category C (7 minutes max.)
- Category B (10 minutes max.)
- Category A (15 minutes max.)
To be admitted to take part on this competition, student applicants need to provide links to recordings (audio or video) within the application form, and it needs to be stated in the corresponding section of the application form.
By agreeing to participate, students agree to all the rules stated above.