2025 Piano Program
Valencia International Performing Arts Summer Festival, Piano Program, July 7-16, 2025VIPA PIANO 2025 Quick Facts
Faculty
- Juan Lago, Head, VIPA Piano, Escuela Superior Musical Arts, Madrid / Conservatorio “José Iturbi”, Valencia
- Boris Slutsky, Yale School of Music
- Fabio Bidini, The Colburn School
- Chun-Chieh Yen, National Normal Taiwan University
- Pavel Nersessian, Boston University
- Grace Chung, Tainan National University of the Arts, Taiwan
- Yuanxizi Li, Central Conservatory of Music, Gulangyu, China
- Daniel Abalos, “Manuel Carra” Conservatory, Málaga
- Each student will receive 5 individual lessons by VIPA Piano Faculty
- Full access to all other lessons, workshops, seminars and presentations
- Opportunity to perform at the school’s Auditorium or at VIPA Concert Festival in Centre del Carme
- Opportunity to take part in VIPA Piano Competition, in the corresponding category
About the Program
Get ready for VIPA Piano 2025, an exceptional program led by the esteemed pianist and pedagogue Juan Lago. This year’s course features an outstanding roster of internationally acclaimed pianists and educators, including Boris Slutsky, Fabio Bidini, Pavel Nersessian, Grace Chung, Chun-Chieh Yen, Yuanxizi Li, and Daniel Abalos. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in this extraordinary musical experience!
The VIPA 2025 Piano Program will be held from July 7-16 at the prestigious Conservatorio Superior Joaquín Rodrigo, located just a short walk from the iconic Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences) in one of Valencia’s trendiest neighborhoods.
Valencia, one of Europe’s most vibrant summer destinations, offers the perfect backdrop for a unique blend of music, culture, and unforgettable memories. Save the date and join us for this exceptional event!
APPLY TO THE 2025 VIPA PIANO PROGRAM
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, students will have the opportunity to work with the following outstanding pianists and pedagogues:
JUAN LAGO (Head of VIPA Piano, Musical Arts Madrid & “José Iturbi” Conservatory)
BORIS SLUTSKY (Yale University)
FABIO BIDINI (Colburn School)
GRACE CHUNG (Tainan National University of the Arts, Taiwan)
PAVEL NERSESSIAN (Boston University)
CHUN-CHIEH YEN (National Normal Taiwan University)
YUANXIZI LI (Central Conservatory of Music, Guangyu, China)
DANIEL ABALOS (“Manuel Carra” Conservatory, Málaga)
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 2025 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 Conservatory’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)
GRACE CHUNG (Tainan National University of the Arts, Taiwan)
DANIEL ABALOS (“Manuel Carra” Conservatory, Málaga)
YUANXIZI LI (Central Conservatory of Music, Guangyu, China)
JUAN LAGO (Head of VIPA Piano, Musical Arts Madrid & “José Iturbi” Conservatory)
IN ADDITION, Junior Students will have the opportunity to receive one lesson, to choose between FABIO BIDINI, PAVEL NERSESSIAN or BORIS SLUTSKY.
ACTIVE VIPA JUNIOR Division students will receive:
- 5 individual lessons of 45’. Students can specify teacher preferences, but they can only choose ONE lesson with either Fabio Bidini, 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
2024 Piano Performance Faculty
Boris Slutsky
Yale University School of Music
Fabio Bidini
Colburn School
Pavel Nersessian
Boston University
Grace Chung
Tainan National University of the Arts, Taiwan
Chun-Chieh Yen
National Normal Taiwan University
Yuanxizi Li
Central Conservatory of Music, Guangyu, China
Juan Lago
Program Director
Escuela Superior “Musical Arts,” Madrid/Conservatorio “José Iturbi” (Valencia)
Daniel Abalos
Conservatorio “Manuel Carra” (Málaga)
Tuition, Fees, and Other Information
- Active piano PRO student: 770€
- Active piano JUNIOR student: 490€
- Auditor student: 150€ (free for VIPA alumni)
APPLICATION DEADLINE (without application fee): MARCH 15, 2025
LATE APPLICATION DEADLINE (30€ application fee): APRIL 31, 2025
Applications are received on a rolling basis, so we encourage students to apply as soon as possible. As soon as each application is received it is reviewed.
DISCOUNTS:
Active participants from previous VIPA editions will have a non-cumulative discount of 70€.
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.
A non-refundable deposit of 400€ is due upon notification of acceptance and will be credited toward tuition.
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. All bank fees must be paid by the applicant. There are no fees for credit card payments.
SUBMISSION MATERIALS:
All application data and materials are to be sent electronically through the Piano Performance Application Form, or by email to [email protected]. 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 with a link in the application form or via email at [email protected]
- AUDIO/VIDEO materials are not compulsory, but highly recommendable. 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].
HOUSING: VIPA encourages (but does not require) students to get the tuition+accommodation bundle, as prices in Valencia have a tendency to be significantly higher in summer. There are only a limited number of rooms available to VIPA students, so the sooner you book once you’re accepted, the more possibilities you’ll have to get one!
The lodging package for VIPA Composition students includes 11 nights (July 6 to July 17) at Micampus Student Residence, in a rooms with a private bathroom and kitchen.
- Single room: 671€
- Double room: 473€/person
Please note that this is a complete package and no additional nights can be added or subtracted.
More information about Micampus can be found here.
VIPA 2025 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.
